CLEVELAND (AP) -- Scientists and engineers from NASA Glenn Research Center are helping to solve technical problems for northeast Ohio companies in manufacturing, energy research, vinyl record-making and other fields.

The space agency is providing help through a new assistance program that includes loans from Cleveland and surrounding Cuyahoga (ky-uh-HOH'-guh) County. The Plain Dealer ( http://bit.ly/KoXSug ) reports NASA is offering up to 40 hours of engineering work for each of nine winning companies in the program.

Among them is Gotta Groove Records in Cleveland, which presses vinyl music albums. President Vince Slusarz says his company uses 1970s presses but needs to make upgrades to produce more of the old-fashioned discs and keep up with sales.

NASA engineer Paul Bartolotta says some issues with the presses are similar to challenges involved in launching a rocket.