Dayton, Ohio – Ohio has unveiled a strategic initiative to bolster its position as a leader in digital transformation technologies with the announcement of its second innovation hub, the onMain Innovation Hub in Dayton. This new hub, announced by Governor Mike DeWine, Lt. Governor Jon Husted, and Ohio Department of Development Director Lydia Mihalik, is backed by a robust $35 million in state funding and will be augmented by substantial local and private investments.
A New Era of Technological Advancement
The onMain Innovation Hub, fueled by a total investment of up to $95 million, is set to transform the former Montgomery County fairgrounds into a beacon of digital technology research and development. The hub’s Digital Transformation Center (DTC) aims to foster unprecedented collaborations among government, academia, and industry leaders, particularly in sectors like aviation and national defense.
Governor DeWine highlighted the potential of this initiative, stating, “The Miami Valley has always been a place where big ideas take flight, and the unprecedented collaboration that will happen under the umbrella of the onMain Innovation Hub will lead to digital technologies that will impact lives across the world.” The initiative is expected to catalyze further investment, job creation, and attract top-tier talent to the region.
Lt. Governor Husted echoed these sentiments, emphasizing the hub’s role in consolidating Dayton’s legacy as a leader in aerospace and defense innovation. He also noted the long-term efforts to repurpose the fairgrounds site into a cutting-edge research and collaboration center.
Comprehensive Partnerships for Comprehensive Growth
The hub is a collaborative venture led by onMain, Inc., joining forces with significant partners such as Wright-Patterson Air Force Base, the University of Dayton Research Institute, and various local government and economic bodies. The collective efforts are projected to generate 2,000 new jobs, increase state and local tax revenues by over $39 million, and secure $500 million in new research funding by 2031.
Partners are also focusing on educational and workforce development, aiming to retain more STEM graduates in the region and increase the number of locals entering STEM fields through expanded internship opportunities and technical certifications.
University of Dayton President Eric F. Spina expressed gratitude for the state’s support, emphasizing that the hub will not only be a center for professional research and development but also a vibrant educational arena, “providing solutions for challenging problems and giving students extraordinary opportunities for hands-on experiences.”
Mike Riordan, president and CEO of Premier Health, and Brian Heitkamp, CEO of onMain, also acknowledged the transformative impact of the innovation hub on the region’s economic landscape and its alignment with Dayton’s historical innovative spirit.
A Bold Step Toward Future Growth
This development is part of Ohio’s broader strategy under the Ohio Innovation Hubs Program to stimulate growth and technological advancement beyond its major metropolitan areas. Following the establishment of the Northwest Ohio Glass Innovation Hub in Perrysburg, the onMain Innovation Hub in Dayton marks another significant milestone in Ohio’s commitment to fostering innovation and securing its position in the national and global tech industry.
For further details on the Ohio Innovation Hubs Program and upcoming projects, stakeholders and interested parties are encouraged to visit the official Ohio Department of Development website.
