John P. Colm, President and Executive Director of WIRE-Net, has been awarded a Comparative Domestic Policy Fellowship by the German Marshall Fund of the United States (GMF). The GMF is nonpartisan American public policy and grant-making institution established in 1972 through a gift from Germany, as a permanent memorial to Marshall Plan assistance, and is dedicated to promoting greater cooperation and understanding between North America and Europe.

John Colm (L) with Andrew Mill, CEO of the U.K.'s National Renewable Energy Centre, at the Port of Blyth in 2009

The $15,000 fellowship enables Mr. Colm to investigate several European regions with urban and industrial characteristics similar to Northeast Ohio to determine how manufacturing firms and their associations are adapting to the challenges of globalization, shifting environmental policies, and demand for sustainability. Colm’s study of “Manufacturing Sustainable Urban Regions” will take him to Valencia, Spain; Bologna, Italy; Stuttgart and Essen, Germany; and Copenhagen and Arhus, Denmark. Through discussions with manufacturing, economic development, and association leaders, Colm will examine how environmental and economic change at the local and regional level is affecting smaller manufacturers, their associations and resource centers. He will identify strategies that have practical application to Northeast Ohio, and other urban industrial regions across the United States.

John is the founding director WIRE-Net, a non-profit manufacturing-focused economic development organization in recognized internationally for launching innovative initiatives. In 2007, WIRE-Net formed GLWN™ which is a global wind supply chain network with 1400 wind energy related manufacturers and suppliers serving the growing North American wind industry to support important renewable energy goals. Through his study abroad, Mr. Colm hopes to share strategies and learn new ways that will enable an entrepreneurial, innovative industry association like WIRE-Net to convene its members and government leaders to resolve market failures and work together to adapt and compete more effectively while resolving environmental challenges.

John departed on September 10. He is updating the world about what he's learning on the trip online.