Analysis of proposed bio-med bonding issue

In a follow-up to last week's story about Governor Stickland's proposal to sell state bonds to support infrastructure and jobs programs, the Columbus Dispatch analyzes what $200 million aimed at the bio-medical industry in Ohio might do. (Source: "Biomed = jobs, supporters say," Feb. 10, 2008.) According to Lt. Gov. Lee Fisher, "every public dollar invested in this field has leveraged seven in private and federal funds," while BioOhio, a nonprofit group that promotes the bio-med industry, said "bioscience companies were responsible for 17.6% of the state's total economic output in 2006 and provided jobs for 1.2 million Ohioans." The Dispatch article also profiles several bio-med startup companies in Ohio, while adding that 24 companies have spun off from Cleveland Clinic research and innovations in the last five and a half years.