Attracting high-technology workers and companies to Greater Cincinnati is the goal of a region-wide initiative launched by business leaders Thursday.

        Jack Cassidy, president and chief operating officer of Cincinnati Bell, will lead the effort, which will include a fund that could top $20 million to finance start-up companies.

        “In the old days, you would not have chosen to live in a city without sewer systems or without streets,” he said. “Now, the ante in the game really is technology.”

        The initiative joins similar efforts in Northern Kentucky and in Butler County announced recently, all seeking to raise the region's profile to high-tech entrepreneurs.

        The technology plan comes almost four months later than anticipated, after race riots erupted on Cincinnati's streets in April. Officials from the city's major corporations say the program would benefit a wide swath of the community.

        They will host a community program Sept. 4 to gather community input.

        “Technology growth is in the best interest of every man, woman, child, business and organization in this region,” said a report, “Revving up the tech engine,” released Thursday by officials.

        The city's biggest corporations probably will be tapped to contribute to the venture fund and do business with small high-tech companies.

        The report's main recommendations cover the gamut of Greater Cincinnati's most critical business issues:

        • Education: A K-12 Assistance Collaborative would train and provide resources to teachers for technology instruction.

        • Work force: A regional center would integrate efforts for high-tech training.

        • Money: The Capital Growth Fund would provide money to venture capital funds that then could finance start-up and early-stage companies. That early stage is an area many entrepreneurs have said is lacking here now.

        • Government support: A Technology Caucus would include federal, state and local officials from across the region to advocate for high-tech funding.

ANALYSIS: Area competes for high-tech
       

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