On Tuesday, U.S. Sen. Sherrod Brown joined employees of Parker Hannifin for a ribbon cutting at a new facility for the manufacturer's Gas Turbine Fuel Systems Division. 

The 115,000-square-foot plant, where aerospace and defense industry parts will be manufactured, is more than double the size of the last facility.

Dan Berry, with the Manufacturing Advocacy & Growth Network, says it's an example of how focusing on new technology in manufacturing has staying power in an unsteady economy.

"There's a great deal of interest in looking at advanced energy as a new direction in manufacturing. The state has put resources behind that agenda," said Berry.

Berry says MAGNET faces a dual challenge: helping manufacturing companies become efficient and meet the bottom line, while exploring innovation.

The new facility for Parker Hannifin was made possible through a $2.8 million loan from the State of Ohio Research and Development loan program.

"If we don't make the right decisions now, I fear we could experience a double dip in this economy, a double recession," said Governor Ted Strickland.

Strickland says fighting that statistic depends not just on the government but private investment.

Strickland, Berry and Brown participated in a roundtable discussion Tuesday with leaders in Ohio-based manufacturing companies. 

At the summit, talk focused on finding the best way to support small and mid-size companies.

Manufacturing employment in Cleveland alone is currently up 3.3 percent.

"Sometimes it's two steps forward and one step backward. I do believe we're seeing a movement in the right direction," Strickland said.

WKYC-TV