The day I became Governor and gave my inaugural address, I said to my fellow Ohioans that we need to plant the seeds for future generations, and that much of what we will do, we will not see the results of during the life of this administration, nor in some cases in our lifetime, yet we will do these things nonetheless -- grounded in the faith and hope that we can change the future!
This marks a significant anniversary that proves this point of view, as the Central Ohio Aerospace & Technology Center will mark 25 years since its creation following the transfer of the Newark Air Force Base.
Honor your past.
Looking back, I can’t help but think of those who believed that “the base” was an asset worth fighting for. This includes former Governor Voinovich and long-time advocate Wally Horton. When the Newark AFB showed up on the base closure list, they dug in. We — the team of federal, state, and local leaders — advocated for the jobs and making Ohio’s case for this work to stay in Ohio.
When privatization evolved as a possibility, the team championed keeping it going and keeping the work in Ohio.
What’s been accomplished to retain the critical work, grow the manufacturing capabilities, diversify the job opportunities, and provide for our national defense has honored the past and fuels the future.
Celebrate this milestone.
There were pessimists. Some didn’t believe the seeds planted in 1996 would grow at all. I recall that few were predicting that the work would remain.
I’m an optimist, though. Some say that any father of eight, and grandfather of 26, is, by definition, an optimist. The Center is a national asset that needed to be maintained, and the Ohioans that work here have been up to the task of keeping it going strong.
Every time I’ve visited over the past 25 years, I’ve learned something new that is more proof of the uniqueness of the Aerospace Center. Few places can boast of having the sort of precision of hitting a pencil point on a football field — but the Boeing Building houses some of the most impressive examples of accuracy and precision — as well as the people to do it — of any place in the world.
We celebrate the fact that the partnership at Heath has exceeded even the most optimistic predictions from 25 years ago.
Plant the seeds for the future.
I encourage everyone to treat today’s 25th anniversary event as a new beginning. The seeds being planted today will bear fruit in the future.
The people at the Central Ohio Aerospace Technology Center have demonstrated time and again that Ohio has first-rate technology and people.
And, by spotlighting today’s milestone, we are, together, helping to make sure a future generation is keenly aware of future job opportunities right in their backyard. It is my understanding that Boeing and the Port Authority will be announcing new investments in STEM learning for students in Licking County. This is smart thinking as it’s critical to prepare the future workforce for success.
Congratulations to all of those who had the vision to keep this great asset in Licking County. You planted seeds that have led to the success we celebrate.
Original source can be found here.
