PRESS RELEASE 95-08 Immediate Lori J. Rachul (Bus: 216/433-8806)

Ohio Economy boosted by NASA's presence

Cleveland, OH -- Approximately $405.8 million was added to Ohio's economy by NASA's Lewis Research Center in Fiscal Year 1994 (FY94) in the form of new contracts, grants to colleges and universities, utilities, and salaries and benefits paid to its employees. Of those contracts, approximately $124 million was awarded to Small Disadvantaged Businesses and women owned companies, and over $5 million to small businesses. Since the early 1980s, Lewis has awarded over 1800 contracts and grants within the State of Ohio in excess of $3 billion. The Lewis Center employed just under 2675 civil service workers who earned approximately $181,188,572 in salaries, buyout costs, and benefits in FY94. On-site contractors accounted for approximately 1920 work years for a total of $180,437,000 which includes salaries, benefits, and supplies and materials. As a result of the grant and fellowship activity, more than 430 high school students and college and university faculty and students were involved in programs at Lewis during the past year. A K-12 program established in 1993, a joint venture between Lewis and Cuyahoga Community College, has reached approximately 2000 students. The Science, Engineering, Mathematics and Aerospace Academy (SEMAA) was established primarily to increase the number of underrepresented and underserved students interested in science, mathematics, engineering and technology careers. This program is also supported byCase Western Reserve University, Cleveland State University and KentState University. The following Ohio schools were awarded over $2 million in FY94: Case Western Reserve University, $443,197; Central State University, $319,231; Cleveland State University, $640,926; Lorain County Joint Vocational School, $82,120; Ohio Aerospace Institute, $424,254; Ohio State University, $333,771; University of Akron, $231,167; University of Cincinnati, $113,950; and University of Toledo, $229,972. The Lewis presence also had a major impact on Ohio utilities. In FY94, Lewis spent $14.0 million for electricity, $2.2 million for gas, $2.0 million for telephone service and $500,000 for water -- for a total of $18.7 million. # # # 95-8 -end-