Ohio Third Frontier dollars are fueling Northeast Ohio's medical innovations. In fact, more than half of the program’s award dollars have gone to companies or groups here. Ohio Third Frontier grants have resulted in the creation of about 55,000 direct and indirect jobs and the creation or attraction of roughly 600 companies.

Medical device and supply manufacturers looking for novel ways to sell and market products are turning to a cost-effective, innovative business approach offered by Cleveland Medical Mart & Convention Center (Cleveland MMCC).

Now that health care reform is law, its nearly $1 trillion price tag has to be covered. Expect $20 billion of the financing to be paid by medical device manufacturers, which are being assessed a 2.3 percent sales tax beginning in 2013. These companies are already scrambling for ways to lessen the effect of this tax on their bottom lines. Medical device makers claim

Acknowledging Northeast Ohio's growing biomedical industry, the Rubber Division of the American Chemical Society (ACS) is expanding its Rubber Expo to include advanced materials in health care next year. Biomaterials--used in medical procedures such as human tissue repair--and related products will be featured at the first "Rubber Expo

HEALTHCARE DESIGN MAGAZINE: As reported earlier, the final barriers to the long-awaited Cleveland Medical Mart and adjoining Convention Center have finally been lifted, and the project is now proceeding full speed ahead, with Turner Construction and URS on board as key players.

THE PLAIN DEALER: The Cleveland Planning Commission on Friday signed off on selling the city's downtown convention center for Cuyahoga County's new medical mart complex.

EXHIBITOR NEWS NETWORK: Tony Prusak, Director of Convention Sales for Cleveland Medical Mart & Convention Center, was selected as Vice President for Communications and Technology of the International Medical Meeting Professionals Association (IMMPA) at its annual meeting May 17-19 in St. Louis, MO.

THE PLAIN DEALER EDITORIAL BOARD: The property deals that last week set the final pieces of the medical mart jigsaw puzzle in place not only put Cleveland ahead of the competition in Nashville, Tenn., and New York. They also raise the tantalizing prospect of two groundbreakings that could transform downtown: the med mart and connected convention center and a "phase one" casino in the Higbee Building.