The federal government in 2009 approved $1 million in the 2010 Energy and Water Bill to complete cleanup of the 306-acre site.
Michael Grauwelman, president of the Miamisburg Mound Community Improvement Corp., said the day marked a milestone many thought never would be reached.
“The challenges were numerous, ” he said. “This has never been done before in the country. Technically, we’re turning a nuclear weapons production site that was on the Superfund list and turning it into a technology center with a work force.”
Brown heard from 16 attendees of the roundtable ideas and concerns to relay to Energy Secretary Steven Chu about what’s needed to propel the region into the global economy as a clean energy leader.
Those at the roundtable said the region is ripe with smart and skilled companies and workers ready to develop business at the Mound and within the Miami Valley.
At heart, they said, is a vital need for tax incentives and funding to transition their ideas and products to the market. Without those two things, many said Dayton will miss a critical moment in progress.
“If we don’t do this, it will go overseas,” said Dan Hutcheson, president of Webcore Technologies in Miamisburg.
A competitive edge Ohio has, the group said, is its leading industry being agriculture and growing production of biodiesel fuels.
Brown said “there’s no doubt” the area not only supports the right mix of skills and businesses to bring things to fruition, but also the ability to sustain work once it comes.
“One of the things my administration is working on is setting up a federal loan fund to help companies transition from auto supply to alternative energies.” he said.
Contact this reporter at (937) 225-9338 or kmcallister@DaytonDailyNews.com.
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