Ohio is pushing hard to be recognized as an ideal location for the alternative energy industry.

As part of the state’s marketing efforts, the Ohio Business Development Coalition has targeted alternative energy and is working to promote the state’s initiatives in alternative fuels and the benefits of the recent business reforms.

The marketing is paying off. Recently, the state announced two alternative energy deals. Rolls-Royce Fuel Cell Systems U.S. headquarters is launching in Canton, Ohio and will be the first occupant of the Stark State College of Technology Prototyping Center. Also, California’s UltraCell is opening the first high-volume fuel cell production line to Dayton, Ohio.

These companies join GrafTech International, HydroGen Corporation, Pemery Corporation, ECD Ovonics and NexTech Materials, among others that are now located in the state.

Companies have been attracted, in part, by state business reforms, such as no tax on investments in machinery and equipment and no tax on the first $1 million in gross receipts. 

Along with the business reforms, in 2005 the state renewed the Ohio Fuel Cell Initiative, which expands financing, research, development, demonstration and training projects in the fuel cell industry.