CLEVELAND, Oh. (AP) _ The state of Ohio has launched an initiative to help bring in more international college students and encourage them to stay local after graduation.

Northeast Ohio Media Group reports Higher Education Chancellor John Carey and Lt. Gov. Mary Taylor announced Wednesday the creation of Ohio G.R.E.A.T., which stands for Global Reach to Engage Academic Talent.

The effort aims at increasing Ohio's share of international college students from 4.1 percent to 6 percent, which officials say would generate an estimated $1.2 billion for the state and support 17,000 jobs.

The initiative will promote the state as a global destination for post-secondary education. Ohio has the eighth-largest international student enrollment in the country. 

Officials say international student-visa holders currently enrolled in Ohio support 11,337 jobs and contribute $827 million to the state's economy.