GE plant to be overhauled with help from UC

The University of Cincinnati and General Electric Aviation announced a partnership Friday, Nov. 6, to establish a new aerospace research center at or near GE Aviation’s global headquarters in Evendale.

Although the talks between UC and GE Aviation remain in the early stages, a history of collaboration exists between the two organizations.

Many UC graduates go to work for GE, said Tim Keener, a professor and associate dean for Graduate Studies and Research in UC’s
Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering.

“We see this as a win-win for both the university and GE because we will be able to develop other engineering expertise in materials and energy,” Keener said. “GE will be able to have a closer relationship with UC and be able to take advantage of knowledge and scholars that are available here. It will be a unique relationship in the world.”

The plan includes a 15-year tax credit that will help keep 5,000 jobs in
the area, according to Ohio Gov. Ted Strickland’s office. The announcement is part of a $161-million initiative to improve the site, located north of campus off Interstate 75.

“GE Aviation has been at the Evendale site since 1949,” Keener said. “Some facilities are very modern and some are World War II-era facilities. In order to be able to maintain their productivity, and to be able to move forward from a business standpoint, they need to upgrade those facilities.”

UC President Gregory Williams also thinks the partnership will be beneficial to all involved.

“UC is very enthusiastic about the possibilities and tremendous potential for a new and ground-breaking university-industry-state collaboration involving UC, GE and the state of Ohio,” Williams said.

The plan will not only expand the relationship between GE Aviation and UC, but should bolster the region and state’s aerospace economy, Ohio Board of Regents Chancellor Eric Fingerhut said.

“I would like to commend the University of Cincinnati for their role in GE Aviation’s decision to expand their headquarters in Cincinnati,” Fingerhut said.

The aerospace industry means a great deal to the state of Ohio as a whole, Keener said.

More than 20,000 jobs in the state directly relate to the industry in facilities such as the NASA Lewis Research Center in Cleveland and Wright-Patterson Air Force Base in Dayton – jobs indirectly associated with aerospace might be near 100,000, Keener said.

“The aerospace industry is one of the top industries in Ohio,” Keener said. “The NASA Lewis facility in Cleveland and Wright-Patterson in Dayton are just other examples of why Ohio is a leader in aviation. This relationship between UC and GE will just expand that and make it even better for years to come.”

Such an approach will benefit more than just UC.

“This enhanced partnership will make a significant impact on the region and state’s aerospace economy and is another example of how businesses and schools are working together to keep resources in the state,” Fingerhut said.

Keener also said the state gets more bang for the buck in the deal.
“This is a small investment by the state for such a huge return,” Keener said. “If you think about the jobs, the tax base, what it means to Ohio – this is a really small investment and I think its an investment that is well worth while.”