COSI one of Lake Erie West's best assets

by Jerry Jakes

published November 28th 2007

Is the glass of water half empty or half full? If it’s half full, let’s look at COSI as a valuable regional asset that can impact more than 2 million citizens of our Lake Erie West region.

We are attempting to transform ourselves from a “blue collar” culture to a technology based culture, and sell ourselves to the world as the alternative energy hot spot on the North American Continent (Solar Panels, Wind Turbines, Ethanol, etc.).

COSI becomes a proof statement that we are serious about science, technology, etc., and we are making that kind of learning available to young people throughout the region. It will help to attract young families with kids to our area.

There is no question that the main funding should come from the private sector. Already BP, and other companies pay some of COSI’s expenses. Others will climb on board if we sell it properly (Owens Corning makes 70% of the world’s wind turbine blades; First Solar is a global leader in photovoltaic electrical energy; The Andersons are leaders in ethanol development). They all can help fund COSI in the future, and transfer the burden from the public sector to the private sector.

Transformation to a ”Technology Culture” needs to be funded by both the private and the public sectors. COSI gives us the opportunity to create a model of how to accomplish a part of the task. At $5.71 per $100,000 property valuation,(the cost of a ham sandwich), the transformation can get started.

Jerry Jakes
Toledo