The Canton Regional Chamber Board of Directors voted February 15 to join the Ohio Clean Hydrogen Hub Alliance, a coalition comprised of energy producers, industrial consumers, research institutions, elected officials, and community leaders. The Alliance is spearheading a campaign to convince the U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) to locate a Clean Hydrogen Hub (CHH) in the state of Ohio. A total of $8 billion in funding for the creation of four CHHs was included in the $1.2 trillion Bipartisan Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act (IIJA).

"Attracting a clean hydrogen hub to Ohio holds transformative potential for our state and region," said Jeff Dafler, Canton Regional Chamber Vice President of Economic Development and Public Policy.

"Beyond the impact of $2 billion in public investment in an Ohio hydrogen hub, the opportunity to become a world leader in clean hydrogen production and use could generate significant long-term job and economic growth.  We have the resources to help the federal government meet its objectives to achieve feedstock and end-use diversity for its clean hydrogen initiative, and the Canton Chamber team looks forward to working alongside other leaders in our region and state to bring this investment to Ohio."

The Midwest Hydrogen Center of Excellence (MHCE), Stark Area Regional Transit Authority (SARTA), Dominion Energy, and Cleveland State University formed the Alliance in mid-January. Since then, more than 70 public and private sector entities have joined the group along with the Canton Regional Chamber. More information about the Alliance including a complete membership list is available at www.oh2hub.org