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The Center |
Staff
Members Membership RSS Feeds CIFT Video Library News Archive Contact Us |
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The Center |
Staff
Members Membership RSS Feeds CIFT Video Library News Archive Contact Us |
Special Programs...
Our City in a GardenOur City in a Garden is an urban, Toledo-based system to produce, prepare, distribute, process, and preserve healthy food products in the community, and to accomplish these ends in a manner that stresses environmental sustainability.
CIFT MembershipSince 1995, CIFT has organized and managed a membership-based consortium of food industry companies, their suppliers, and academic institutions. The goal of the consortium is to enhance the economic viability of Ohio's food and agricultural sector through technology.
Energy & Environmental ManagementEnergy and environmental management initiatives can improve the bottom line for businesses through cost reduction and alternative revenue pathways, essentially enhancing market competitiveness.
Food SafetyThis page covers food safety issues ranging from safety recalls and safe food handling practices to regulatory guidelines.
Local InitiativesCIFT Local Initiatives include the Farm to School Program, Local Food Manufacturers Program, Agritourism and the Farm to Chef Program.
NOCKThe Agricultural Incubator Foundation's Northwest Ohio Cooperative Kitchen (NOCK) is a nonprofit kitchen facility designed to assist entrepreneurial efforts and expand current food-related businesses by providing access to a commercially licensed kithchen.
Northwest Ohio Energy Crop CenterThe mission of the Northern Ohio Energy Crop Center is the identification and evaluation of opportunities to involve regional growers, processors and other entrepreneurs in biofuel production.
Northwest Ohio Green Products CenterThe Northwest Ohio Green Products Center is a collaborative effort among several partnering organizations to provide the resources, technical assistance and business expertise to regional entrepreneurs or established manufacturers who currently produce, or plan to produce, green or biobased products.
USDA-ARS Technology Transfer ProgramUSDA-ARS technology transfer provides a means for moving promising technologies discovered through federal and university research into the public arena where they are developed into marketable products. USDA-ARS accomplishes this by forming partnerships with universities and private sector businesses.
In the CIFT Spotlight...
CIFT 2008 Report to IndustryA report of CIFT's 2008 programs, projects and activities Hoop HousesA CIFT hoop house feasibility study that will determine what plants are appropriate to plant and when these plants will generate the greatest economic return. Ohio Federal Stimulus Bill WebsiteAn Ohio website where parties interested in federal stimulus dollars can submit ideas. Ohio MarketMakerAn interactive mapping system that locates businesses and markets of agricultural products in Ohio, providing an important link between producers and consumers. USDA Releases Beginning Farmers and Ranchers PublicationUSDA-ERS Economic Information Bulletin EIB-53 (32 pp, May 2009) draws on data from annual surveys and the Census of Agriculture to provide policymakers with a better understanding of beginning farmers and ranchers, including how they contribute to U.S. agricultural production. Vertical Hydroponic Growing SystemsA high density vertical growing system designed for non-traditional production locations. The system enables plants to grow in significantly smaller spaces and in varying ground covers from concrete to parking lots.
CIFT Resources...
CIFT News ArchiveA repository of past CIFT news stories... CIFT RSS FeedsSubscribe to CIFT RSS feeds... CIFT Video LibraryA collection of CIFT event videos... Contact UsThe CIFT contact page with phone numbers, email addresses and directions... Privacy PolicyThe CIFT website privacy policy...Other Resources...
Current FDA RecallsThe Food & Drug Administration (FDA) has jurisdiction over recalls involving food and pet & farm animal feed. This page is a list of the latest FDA food recall notices. Current USDA RecallsThe Food Safety and Inspection Service (FSIS) of the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) inspects and regulates meat, poultry products and eggs. This page is a list of the latest USDA food recall notices. FoodSafety.govFoodSafety.gov is your source for the latest news and information on food safety issues. Grants.govGrants.gov is your source to FIND and APPLY for federal government grants. Quick Reference Guide to Growth FinancingThis MEP guide provides information on general financing options, programs, and techniques available to small and medium-sized enterprises and companies pursuing growth oriented strategies.
CIFT News
State of Ohio and Huntington Bank Launch $1 Billion Partnership to Grow, Retain and Attract Businesses and Jobs
The State of Ohio and Huntington Bank today announced a groundbreaking 3-year, $1 billion public-private lending partnership to attract, retain and grow businesses and jobs within the state. This announcement represents the first partnership in a statewide program to strengthen the link between Ohio businesses and our banking community. The Ohio and Huntington Job Growth Partnership throws a $1 billion lifeline in new credit to small- to medium-sized businesses struggling in the face of the sudden contraction in credit availability and economic activity that began in 2008.
"Business as usual is not an adequate response to our current economic challenges, and we cannot afford to sit idly by while businesses lack the credit they need to survive in today's troubled economic times and prepare for growth as the economy recovers," said Huntington President and CEO Stephen D. Steinour. "Huntington is proud to take a bold leadership role in revitalizing the businesses that are the backbone of today's economy and helping to generate 21st century jobs and businesses in years to come."
Through the Ohio and Huntington Job Growth Partnership, Huntington Bank will commit to fund $1 billion in new loans over three years to Ohio businesses. The partnership will distribute $250 million of the total loan commitment through a highly competitive preferred loan product, The Huntington Job Growth Fund. The partnership also leverages existing State of Ohio and federal Small Business Administration loan programs to maximize availability of funds for companies located in or moving to Ohio.
"Ohioans will benefit from Huntington Bank's partnership with the State to help businesses grow and create jobs here in Ohio," said Ohio Governor Ted Strickland. "With $1 billion in new lending capacity, the partnership will retain and grow Ohio jobs, inspiring confidence in our businesses and hope for our workers."
The partnership also creates the Huntington Bank Business Advisory Council, with a dedicated Ohio Department of Development liaison and a commitment from the state's regional economic development coordinators to administer projects and provide free, confidential underwriting analysis and consulting services.
"Under the leadership of Lieutenant Governor Lee Fisher, our department enacted a strategic plan for statewide economic growth, and a commitment to strengthening the link between our financial services capabilities and our business community," said Mark Barbash, Interim Director of the Ohio Department of Development. "This new program supports Ohio's businesses and lenders in an effort to provide the critical access to capital they need to finance expansion projects, create jobs and help the people in our communities achieve their dreams."
Columbus, Ohio-based Larson Medical Products Inc. is the first business to benefit from the Ohio and Huntington Job Growth Partnership. Larson Medical Products, a medical thermoplastics manufacturing company created in 1989, will receive a $100,000 working capital loan to replenish funds used for Research & Development certification.
"This partnership will enable us to strengthen our position as an Ohio company with global reach in the medical thermoplastics industry and represents a huge win for everyone involved in this collaborative effort," said Peter Larson, President and Chief Executive Officer of Larson Medical Products. "This funding simply would not be available without the State of Ohio and Huntington Job Growth Partnership and is exactly the type of program that businesses need to compete in a global economy."
The program will also leverage the Ohio Treasurer of State's GrowNow linked deposit program, which gives small business owners a 3 percent rate reduction on bank interest rates on loans of up to $400,000, providing savings of up to $24,000 over two years. Under GrowNow, the Ohio Treasury deposits funds at below-market rates with participating lenders, who pass along the rate reductions to small business owners who commit to create or save jobs.
"Small businesses are the backbone of Ohio's economy," said Ohio Treasurer Kevin L. Boyce. "This partnership between Huntington Bank and the State of Ohio demonstrates our mutual commitment to economic growth and job creation. Over the last few months we have partnered with banks across Ohio to create and retain nearly 7,000 jobs. This partnership will allow us to further that good work and continue to expand opportunities for small business."
Business owners can obtain information about the Ohio and Huntington Job Growth Partnership through a toll-free hotline, 866-644-9786.
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