COLUMBUS — Gov. Ted Strickland on Wednesday, Oct. 1, signed an executive order creating an entity called the Ohio Economic Growth Cabinet that he said is intended to focus the state's economic development resources.

It is a subdivision of the governor's cabinet that is assigned to improve how the state collects information on economic development investments. Its mission also includes ensuring that Ohio meets business regulation goals and responds to the needs and challenges of the economy, Strickland said.

His order implemented an initiative proposed by the Ohio Department of Development's strategic plan for economic development. Lt. Gov. Lee Fisher, who is director of the development department, is to serve as chairman of the Economic Growth Cabinet.

Ohio's unemployment rate was 7.4 percent in August, up from 7.2 percent in July. The number of unemployed workers in August was 445,000, up from 432,000 in July.