The Cincinnati Enquirer

Ohio needs to shed its rust-belt image to successfully compete in its quest to lure and foster high-technology job growth, Ohio Department of Development director Bruce Johnson said Wednesday.

Johnson, speaking to a Greater Cincinnati Chamber of Commerce luncheon crowd downtown, said the state already has a strong base of innovation, research universities and proven companies to build off. A major challenge is letting potential investors know of Ohio's success.

"If there's one complaint I have, it's that the city of Troy has more marketing dollars than the entire state of Ohio" for marketing, Johnson said.

"That's why we're left with the image of rust belt and lakes on fire."

Johnson outlined Gov. Bob Taft's Third Frontier program and showed how it seeks to improve the state's ranking in tech job growth.