FINDLAY, Ohio (AP) -- Ohio-based Cooper Tire & Rubber Co. plans to open a new technology center in northwest Ohio by the end of the year.

The company plans to hire about 40 people to do research at the center in Findlay where Cooper Tire has its headquarters.

The Courier newspaper in Findlay ( http://bit.ly/XSPx6R ) reports that Cooper Tire received a $2.8 million state for the project.

The company says it plans to put $40 million into the project over the next five years. The new hires will include engineers, scientists, researchers and technicians.

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Information from: The Courier, http://www.thecourier.com