RGP’s Weathers Named to IEDC Board of Directors
Steve Weathers, president and CEO of the Regional Growth Partnership (RGP), has been elected to the International Economic Development Council (IEDC) board of directors.
The election of Weathers is for a two-year term and was made during the IEDC’s 2009 annual conference in October.
“I look forward to working with Mr. Weathers and our other board members as IEDC continues its mission of providing quality information, education, and outstanding development opportunities to our steadfast member and partners,” said IEDC chair-elect William E. Best.
IEDC is the world’s largest membership organization serving the economic development profession. Based in Washington, D.C., the nonprofit association provides leadership and support to its member partners involved in economic development.
“Steve’s appointment to this distinguished board of economic development professionals is an indication of his leadership abilities and the respect of his peers in economic development,” said Larry Davenport, chairman of the RGP board of directors. “I think it is also an indication that we have in Steve, one of the top economic development professionals, helping to lead our region to greater prosperity.”
Weathers, a 20-year practitioner in economic development, is a regular contributor to the IEDC, having served as a guest panelist at numerous events over the years. In January 2010, Weathers will participate in a web seminar sponsored by IEDC titled Developing Community-based Venture Financing. Weathers will be one of just two representatives nationally to discuss successful community case studies, specifically for the RGP its Rocket Ventures program.
“I appreciate the opportunity to join the IEDC board of directors, particularly during this critical period where we must continuously strive for creative methods to grow and develop an innovative economy,” Weathers said.
Media Coverage
Launch is frequently in the news!
Here you can read local and national articles that involve Launch, the start-up companies with which we work, and other Northwest Ohio business news.
Xunlight Corp. to get $4.1M stimulus loan
December 9, 2009
Legacy Kit offers organization for life planning
December 3, 2009
VentureTech matches money with business
November 12, 2009
Dynalifter airship goes where trucks can’t
September 25, 2009
NW Ohio company goes from garage to global
August 14, 2009
Createable Learning Concepts package fun and learning
August 4, 2009
Two startup firms establish local high-tech businesses
February 13, 2009
Launch clients receive Ignite! grants
October 1, 2008
15 fledgling tech firms in program gaining
September 2, 2008
TechConnect well attended
November, 2007
Press Releases
Read the most up-to-date news about Launch and our clients.
Both Launch and client announcements, partnerships, awards, and other news can be found here.
Sez Corp receives Launch assistance to accelerate the growth of their technology based business
October 29, 2009
Toledo Companies Collaborate to Enhance Educational Experiences of Children
August 6, 2009
TECHCONNECT Event Draws Record Crowd
May 21, 2009
Launch Program Announces Four New Graduates
April 14, 2009
Launch Client Xunlight Honored by State of Ohio
March 17, 2009
Launch/Rocket Ventures Clients Recognized for Growth
February 13, 2009
Latest Tech Connect Event Deemed Success
January 26, 2009
Rocket Ventures and Launch Programs Add Spark to “Plugged‐In”
Oct 6, 2008
Launch Clients Receive Ignite! Grants
Sept 18, 2008
Launch Program’s Year-end Results
August 25,2008
RGP Efforts Result in $750,000 Grant
June 06, 2008
Launch Creates Entrepreneurial Library
May 27, 2008
Articles
New report bodes well for Toledo area’s technology
Toledo Blade
A new government report predicting energy use in the United States for the next quarter century has good news for northwest Ohio, showing large increases in the use of technologies such as solar energy and biofuels that were pioneered locally.
Read More…
Solar energy industry brings a ray of hope to the Rust Belt
LA Times
Areas hard-hit by the U.S. automakers’ slump are pitching themselves to green technology firms. Workers and machines that used to crank out cars are now making parts for solar and wind power plants.
Read More…
Ohio looks to renew program to boost tech jobs
Associated Press
COLUMBUS, Ohio - Shannon Swift was another statistic in the downfall of Ohio’s once great industrial engine, a victim of layoffs first at Delphi and then General Motors.
Read More…
Greening the rustbelt
Economist.com
XUNLIGHT CORPORATION, a small manufacturer of solar panels, sits on a quiet street in Toledo. It has a professor as its president, about 100 employees on its payroll—and a lot of bigwig visitors. In October 2008 Sarah Palin, then the Republican vice-presidential candidate, used Xunlight as the setting for a speech on energy policy. Other guests have included Ohio’s governor, two senators and a congresswoman. And no wonder: the firm provided evidence to support a seductive hope, that the green economy can help to revive the suffering rustbelt.
Read more…
Brown Spurs Northwest Ohio College Presidents, Business Leaders to Unite Against ‘Brain Drain’
brown.senate.gov
U.S. Senator Sherrod Brown (D-OH) today highlighted the efforts of Northwest Ohio college presidents and regional business leaders for a summit today at the University of Toledo on strategies to combat the “brain drain.” Attendees discussed ways to train college students and Ohio workers for 21st century jobs and strategies to create and retain good-paying jobs in Ohio.
Read More…
High-Tech Start-Ups Put Down Roots in New Soil
The Wall Street Journal
High-tech start-ups are increasingly setting up shop in places previously not known for attracting high-tech firms.
A number of cities, such as Kalamazoo, Mich., and Toledo, Ohio, are offering grant money and tax breaks to high-tech start-ups, just as the usual venture-capital hot spots, such as Silicon Valley and Boston, continue to see a pullback in venture lending. Many of the nontraditional cities require that start-ups receiving grants invest in their area, leaving companies little choice but to locate — or relocate — their businesses.
Read more…
Its Economy in Shambles, The Midwest Goes Green
Worldchanging.com
It took awhile, but the U.S. Midwest finally has recognized that the industries that once powered its economy will never return. Now leaders in the region are looking to renewable energy manufacturing and technologies as key to the heartland’s renaissance.
Read More…