🌱 Patch AM: How a Solon defense contractor landed part of a $920M Air Force deal

Hello Solon! Here's our latest buzz. Let's get into it. ☕️️

In today's newsletter:

• How a Solon defense contractor landed part of a $920M Air Force deal
• How a Solon tech firm became vital to every cell phone
• How a Solon firm fits into Ohio's bold new investment plan

Also on today's calendar: Teens Create: Laser Engraved Bookmarks and 5 more events.

Today's riddle: Why do fish live in salt water? 🤔 (Answer below!)

Weather forecast:

• Thursday: Clouds giving way to some sun, with a high of 76 and low of 56 degrees.
• Friday: Mostly sunny, temps: high: 80, low: 62.
• Saturday: An afternoon thunderstorm, with a high of 78 and low of 60 degrees.

📰 News we're reading

• Air Force Awards $920M Multiple-Award IDIQ for Aerospace and Ground Support Equipment (envzone.com) — A Solon-based company, HDT, is among several firms sharing a massive $920 million U.S. Air Force contract to supply next-generation aerospace and ground support equipment through 2036. While work will occur at various locations, the award underscores Solon's role in high-tech defense manufacturing and could support local jobs and future growth tied to long-term military modernization efforts.
   

• Ohio's recreational marijuana business has matured and is booming: Today in Ohio (cleveland.com) — One segment of this statewide news podcast highlights how an O.H.I.O. Fund investment helped turn a Solon-based company into a major producer of key cell phone components, bringing formerly offshore manufacturing back to Ohio. The episode also covers topics like recreational marijuana revenues, e-bike safety rules in nearby suburbs, and broader state policy debates, giving Solon residents context on economic and legal trends affecting the region.
   

• Could the O.H.I.O. Fund leave peer states in the dust? (cleveland.com) — An Ohio investment fund that backs in-state companies is fueling growth at a Solon operation making critical cell phone technology once produced offshore, keeping advanced manufacturing and jobs closer to home. Podcast hosts compare the fund's long-term potential to Singapore's model and highlight other innovative Ohio ventures, suggesting big economic implications for communities like Solon.
   

📸 Around Solon

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🗓 Upcoming Events in Solon

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★ Featured events ★

Saturday August 22
• 2026 Solon Pop-Up in the Park →
  Solon Community Park, 6679 SOM Ctr Rd, Solon
  10:00 am

Want to see your event featured? Click here!

Other local events

Tuesday August 25
• Orchard G6 Curriculum Night
  Orchard Middle School 6800 S.O.M. Center Rd., Solon, OH 44139
  6:30 pm
Wednesday August 26
• G5 Curriculum Night
  Orchard Middle School Classroom
  6:30 pm
• G5 Music Information Night
  Orchard Middle School 6800 S.O.M. Center Rd., Solon, OH 44139
  7:30 pm
Thursday August 27
• Teens Create: Laser Engraved Bookmarks →
  Solon Branch, 34125 Portz Pkwy, Solon
  6:00 pm
• SHS Curriculum Night
  Solon High School 33600 Inwood Road, Solon, OH 44139
  7:00 pm
Friday August 28
• OMS Back to School Party
  Orchard Middle School 6800 S.O.M. Center Rd., Solon, OH 44139
  6:00 pm
Tuesday September 15
• Cardio Drumming at Solon Community Center: Youth →
  Solon Community Center, 35000 Portz Pkwy, Solon
  6:30 pm

📣 Solon Shout Outs!

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🗓 Events Nearby

Thursday August 20
• Boys JV Golf vs Hawken
  Chagrin Falls Ex Village Tanglewood GC
  3:15 pm
• QiGong 6 Week Series →
  Chagrin Valley Chamber of Commerce Location: Advanced MMC Studio 8401 Chagrin Rd. Ste 20-B Chagrin Falls, OH 44023
  4:00 pm
• Girls Varsity Golf at Rootstown
  Chagrin Falls Ex Village Sunny Hill GC
  4:00 pm
• Girls JV Tennis vs Beachwood
  Chagrin Falls Ex Village Chagrin Falls High School
  4:15 pm

Have we missed something on our calendar? Add an event yourself! As always, before attending confirm event details to ensure accuracy.

Want to see your business here? Click here to connect with local customers.

💬 Chatter

What your neighbors are talking about on social media

• Lost And Found Pets
  Found Pet Alert: Looking to Reunite Dog with Owner This dog was picked up as a stray and is located at the Cuyahoga County Animal Shelter (CCAS) and… (Nextdoor )
• Lost And Found Pets
  Found Pet Alert: Looking to Reunite Dog with Owner This dog was picked up as a stray and is located at the Cuyahoga County Animal Shelter (CCAS) and… (Nextdoor )

• Bob's Discount Furniture posted a job opening for Returns Coordinator - Hybrid Remote in Solon. Apply here.
• Swagelok Company posted a job opening for Production Supervisor - 3rd Shift in Solon. Apply here. You can search for other jobs near Solon here.

🗞 Nearby News

Chagrin Falls

• Grant funding key to high-dollar projects in CF five-year forecast (chagrinvalleytoday.com)
• The inexperienced are now ready in Chagrin Falls (chagrinvalleytoday.com)
• Show Info: August 18, 2026 (fox8.com)

Orange

• Orange looks for players to take next step into upcoming season (chagrinvalleytoday.com)

Ok Solon! So now you're in the loop about what's happening today. Thanks for reading, and see you in your inbox next time! Oh -- and if you like what you're reading, invite a friend to Patch AM!

-- The Patch AM Team

P.S. The answer to today's riddle: Pepper makes them sneeze (Thank you Karla H. for sending it in!)
Got a good riddle for PatchAM? Submit it here!

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