‘Accelerate innovation;’ Dayton region named state’s second innovation hub

DAYTON — The Dayton region was named as the state’s second innovation hub.

As reported on News Center 7 at 5:00 p.m., Governor Mike DeWine and Lieutenant Governor Jon Husted visited Dayton today to announce the details of the Dayton Innovation Hub.

The announcement was years in the making and will make the Dayton region one of the top AI technology centers in the country.

“It’s my privilege to announce Dayton is the second innovation hub,” Gov. DeWine said.

$35 million in state funds were allocated to a project designed to develop cutting-edge AI technology.

The AI technology will be used to directly support Wright Patterson Air Force Base.

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“This money leverages a lot of other money. It leverages the local money. So they couldn’t have done this without us, but we had to have them involved as well,” Gov. DeWine said. “But then the big, big idea is that this is going to attract a lot of other money coming in, right in here for this, this kind of research.”

With new money flowing into this project, they’re hoping this makes Dayton a global leader in AI tech and a hub for young talent from all of the surrounding universities and certificate schools.

“Together, we can accelerate innovation advance the Dayton region. So energy. Indeed, this is a transformative moment,” University of Dayton President Dr. Eric Spina said. “The future is digital, whether it’s advancements in artificial intelligence, development of new diagnostic tools for rare diseases, the creation of cutting edge capabilities to make our military more agile and responsive.”

The plan for the On Main Innovation Hub is to convert the former Fairgrounds site into a 25,000-square-foot facility by 2031 and have millions of dollars in contracts and technology production lined up well before that.

DeWine and Lt. Gov Jon Husted announced the launch of Ohio’s first innovation hub, the Northwest Ohio Glass Innovation Hub, last month.

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