Ohio tops nation in econ development; possible cure for Parkinson’s & more
“Don't confuse fame with success. Madonna is one; Helen Keller is the other.” – Erma Bombeck, Journalist, Author and Ohioan
Today’s itinerary:
JET FUEL FOR BUSINESS GROWTH
Ohio #1 for attracting new economic development 
Photo by AlexLMX for Shutterstock
Ohio is the top-rated state in the U.S. in its ability to attract new economic development, according to recent reports.
JobsOhio announced last week in its Annual Report that the state of Ohio had secured more than 300 new projects, resulting in 22,770 new jobs and $7 billion in capital investment.
Site Selection magazine’s Governor’s Cup 2019, which ranks states on their record in attracting the newest corporate facility projects per capita, ranked the Buckeye State at the top. Ohio also earned the No. 2 spot for total projects overall, making it the only state to place in the top three in both categories.
The state jumped to the top spot per capita from No. 3 in 2018 based on criteria that measures new business projects with significant impact, including headquarters, manufacturing plants, R&D operations and logistics sites. The rankings also place Cincinnati and Columbus at the top of the nation in attracting new business and investments. Both placed in the Top 10 list for Tier 1 Metros with populations over 1 million for the second year in a row, ranking fifth and eighth, respectively.
“Our central location, strong business climate and talented workforce are some of the driving factors in attracting new business and expansion projects in Ohio,” Gov. Mike DeWine said. “But we’re not just relying on one or two cities. A lot of good things are happening east, west, north and south in Ohio.”
Site Selection has awarded the Governor’s Cup annually since 1988.
Indy Chamber selected for Brookings Institution lab
One of the biggest challenges facing business communities everywhere is inclusivity. Cities need economic growth to benefit everyone regardless of race, ethnicity, gender or income. To support that goal, the Brookings Institution has developed the Inclusive Economic Indicators Lab, a project to develop tools to track and drive inclusive economic outcomes. The Indianapolis Chamber of Commerce – known as The Indy Chamber – is one of three city chambers participating in the project. The other two are in Memphis and Orlando.
Fast Future U RESEARCH
Purdue researchers and a possible cure for Parkinson's 
Graduate students on the research team of Chongli Yuan, a chemical engineering professor (Photo courtesy Vincent Walter, Purdue University.)
Bioengineers at Purdue University are pursuing a groundbreaking cure for Parkinson's disease, which affects approximately 6 million people per year in the U.S. alone. A chronic and – for now – incurable disease, Parkinson's attacks neurons in the brain, impacting mobility and limb control and eventually leading to death.
Led by associate professor of chemical engineering Chongli Yuan, the team of scientists at Purdue is developing technology to generate synthetic neurons to replace their biological counterparts compromised or destroyed by the disease. Theoretically, by copying the chemical make-up of healthy, biological neurons, Yuan and her team can offer those suffering from the disease the opportunity to “undo” the neurological harm caused by progressive cell destruction.
Yuan noted, “Parkinson's is a tough disease to fight. Not only for patients, but families suffer, too. Scientists, like those in our lab, are working very hard towards a smart, engineering solution. It will take some time, but we believe there is hope.”
Protostudios receives $493,000 grant to print… body parts University of Iowa’s Protostudios, which is a nonprofit prototyping workshop within the school’s Department of Innovation and Economic Development, has received a $493,000 state grant for a specialized 3D printer that can print “anatomically accurate body parts.” And not just accurate LOOKING—the printer produces models that mimic the tissue of the actual body part. For instance, a 3D-printed heart feels like a real heart, which enables doctors to better prepare for surgery and anticipate any problems they might encounter.
The printer uses 3D design software and different combinations of resin to create the body parts. Director of prototype engineering, Neil Quellhorst, described the versatility of the printed results:
“You can combine these resins in various ways and by combining them— that enables you as you print to change the characteristic of the material that is deposited,” he said. “So, you can on the fly change colors, you can change the various physical properties of the material. In other words, it can be very hard, it can be very squishy, it can be crumbly, or it can be very tough, like muscle material may be.”
Protostudios (“From Napkin Sketch to Functional Prototype”) works with numerous verticals in addition to the medical sector, including consumer, industry, and research.
FUNDING THE FUTURE
Durham’s restor3D raises $4.3M in equity
3D medical implant manufacturer restor3D (formerly Additive Device), based in Durham, NC, has raised $4.3 million in equity. According to the SEC filing, 48 investors contributed to the round.
Ready Robotics secures $23M in Series B round
Columbus-based Ready Robotics, which offers an industrial robotics operating system and programming platform, has raised $23 million, bringing its total investment to $42 million.
SHE Software lands $9M
Chicago-based SHE Software, the developer of environmental, health, and safety (EHS) management platform Assure, has secured $9 million in a Series B funding round.
Pittsburgh-based Gridwise raises $3.3M in seed funding
Gridwise, developer of a mobile app for rideshare drivers, has closed a $3.3 million funding round led by Mountain State Capital.
Greater Cincy startup raises $3.7M
On-demand staffing platform Upshift, based in Cincinnati, has secured $3.7 million in Series A funding. Indeed.com led the round.
FINAL APPROACH
American Printing House for the Blind: Always innovating 
Visitors at CES this year got to see a product that makes coding accessible for visually impaired children, aged 7-11. Called Code Jumper, the educational toy was designed by Microsoft and developed by the American Printing House for the Blind located in Louisville, KY.
It uses bright-colored plastic pods and components students can identify by touch to help kids learn basic programming concepts so they can create computer code that can tell stories or make music. The product, which won Best of Innovation: Accessibility at CES, can teach children regardless of their level of vision or computer coding skills.
The American Printing House for the Blind has operated since 1848 in Louisville, Kentucky as the world’s largest nonprofit organization creating accessible learning experiences through educational, workplace, and independent living products and services for people who are blind and visually impaired.
IN-FLIGHT ENTERTAINMENT
Useless information that is strangely fascinating.
Click here for today's answers.
MISSING SOMETHING? 
Did you miss a newsletter, or simply wish to catch up on previous issues of Fast Future? Then check out our newsletter archives here. View all complete issues of Fast Future back to our initial launch date of August 5, 2019!
REACH OUT Please click the button below to share stories and offer suggestions or comments |