Wednesday, April 29th, 2009

Crown gets $1 million grant for project

By Margie Wuebker
Crown Equipment Corp., headquartered in New Bremen, has received a second $1 million grant from the state for a project to utilize fuel cells as the power source for a line of lift trucks.
The award for advanced research and development and commercialization comes through the Ohio Third Frontier Program with Crown being the only recipient in the area of fuel cell development. The company received just under $1 million for the same purpose last year.
"This second grant allows work begun last year to continue," Crown's Human Resource Director Randy Niekamp said this morning. "We are very pleased and thankful. Crown is very involved in environmental sustainability."
He could not comment on the number of jobs associated with the project.
The project will investigate, model and create a running prototype of an integrated fuel cell forklift truck. Fuel cells generate electrical power efficiently, without pollution, by converting hydrogen and oxygen into water and in the process produce electricity.
The project includes partnerships between Crown, Ohio Northern University, Edison Materials Technology Center and NexTech, a firm involved in hydrogen sensor technology.
Ohio's Third Frontier Program was created in 2002 with $103 million in funds to provide grants that involve Ohio higher education institutions, nonprofit research organizations and Ohio businesses. Projects must focus on research and development. The Ohio Fuel Cell Initiative, which is part of the program, aims to spur job creation in the state while positioning Ohio as a national leader in the growing fuel cell industry.
Pollution reduction is the state's primary reason for promoting fuel cells, says a press release.
The announcement of Crown's award was made Tuesday by Ohio Gov. Ted Strickland and Mark Barbash, Ohio Third Frontier Commission chairman and interim Department of Development director.
Additionally, six other companies across the state will share in $2.1 million in commercialization research grants for projects involving intelligent robotic machinery, high-temperature adhesives and quality assurance. The awards are contingent upon State Controlling Board approval.
Crown was founded in the 1940s and began manufacturing electric lift trucks in the mid-1950s. The company currently ranks as the top electric lift truck manufacturer in the country and the fifth largest worldwide.
Additional online stories on this date
Local health officials are requiring all tests on suspected flu patients be performed only at the hospital in Coldwater to enhance the tracking of possible swine flu cases. [More]
Natalie Rethman, a second-grader at Marion Local Schools, finished third in her age group in the national finals of the Elks USA Hoop Shoot competition. The event took place Saturday in Springfield, Mass. [More]
St. Henry will be even more well-represented at the Cincinnati Bengals' mini-camp this weekend after a second former Redskin got the NFL invite.
Mi [More]
Subscriber and paid stories on this date
LIMA - The attorney for a Chickasaw man currently serving 24 years in prison in the wake of a quadruple fatality accident told Ohio Third District Co
The Mercer County Mental Retardation and Developmental Disabilities (MR/DD) agency is seeking a renewal of its current tax levy for operating costs.
Parents, staff and Bills address board to keep full-time status
COLDWATER - School board members voted unanimously to change the employment status of elementary Social Worker Sue Bills from full time to part time, despite a standing room only crowd in her support at a meeting Tuesday.
Celina City Council members this week finalized plans for extensive funding of upcoming infrastructure projects.
The city will borrow a total of $1.71 million - including $300,000 from the city's own coffers.
Fifty-one jobs at Apria Healthcare in Minster will be phased out over the coming year as the Lake Forest, Calif.- based company consolidates its billing center operations across the country.
Police arrested a St. Marys man Tuesday and another man remains on the run after the pair attempted to use an apparatus to pass a court-ordered urine test.
Brock's RV Center, south of Celina, will switch entirely to an Internet business this fall, said Connie Fielding, who owns the business with her husband Tony.
A Mendon couple are doing their part to awaken a sleeping giant of a craft.
Susan and John Pardon will have a grand opening of their new store, Ber
First fight club matches set for Friday
Boxing and mixed martial arts are now being taught in downtown Celina.
Battle Zone Fight Club, 116 Fayette St., is owned by Scott Workman, who has been an amateur boxer for 24 years.
Even as area baseball, softball and even a track meet or two were being called off due to the chilly and rainy weather, Celina track coach Dan Otten was adamant on holding Tuesday's trimeet with Western Buckeye League colleagues St. Marys and Shawnee at Varsity Track.