Bio-Ag Industry Cluster

Executive Summary*

Northeast Ohio has a significant opportunity to increase high-paying jobs, slow no-growth sprawl, bolster both our rural and urban economies, and improve environmental stewardship by developing the specialty agriculture and food processing industry cluster. Currently, the region is home to a large and growing, but disparate, array of regional agricultural assets. Yet, with an increase in numerous technological advancements, the region is in a position to capitalize on recent trends in the production of specialty crops and bioproducts as well as local food sourcing programs. The Ohio Agriculture and Development Center (OARDC) will leverage its existing $2.26 million grant from the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) to accelerate the development of this industry cluster by developing:

a comprehensive inventory of agricultural resources in the region
a portfolio of at least ten business projects that can serve as an example to others
an online infrastructure to enable networking across the region
a region-wide Leadership Council
a framework for conducting strategic planning around an industry cluster for future years

* Taken from the Fund For Our Economic Future Bio-Ag Industry Cluster Phase 1a Grant Summary. To read the full summary click here