Breaking Ground

Here on our Breaking Ground pages, we'll check in with those brick-and-mortar development stories our readers love as well as what's hot with local entrepreneurs and new programs. You'll also find our regular "Who's Hiring" listings here.

Another world: Local creator releases Myrwoods D&D campaign setting book
With a degree in games and simulation from the Emerging Technology and Business Design department at Miami University, Cleveland Heights resident, game designer, and Dungeons & Dragons pro Deckard Manne is releasing his Myrwoods D&D campaign book on Kickstarter next week—suited for gamers at all levels or people who enjoy delving into mythical fantasy worlds.
Q&A: CMNH curator Emma Finestone talks stone tools, science narratives, 'Eve' author Cat Bohannon
"Eve" author Cat Bohannon will be at the Cleveland Museum of Natural History tonight to discuss why moving past the framework of the male norm in science, research, and business yields benefits not just for us all. CMNH curator Emma Finestone shares her thoughts on the subject in this Q&A.
Holden Forests & Gardens receives $1.8 million to expand regional forest landowner support
Holden Forests & Gardens last week announced that it received $1.8 million from the USDA Forest Service to connect forest landowners with emerging climate markets. The grant is the largest climate investment in history.
Signs of progress: NEO making gains in becoming smart manufacturing hub
MAGNET's first progress report card on its Blueprint for Manufacturing in Northeast Ohio was released last week. The report shows the area has exceeded industry goals, increased investment and products, and diversified top talent, among other milestones.
Public art installation: Reader’s Garden opens tomorrow in Shaker
Officials with the Shaker Heights Public Art department and LAND studio teamed up with and landscape architect Haemee Han of Jaemee Studio and former Shaker mayor Judy Rawson to create the Reader's Garden—a public art space on the library grounds to celebrate Shaker's diversity and rich culture of reading and writing. The dedication and artist talk will be held tomorrow, Friday, March 1.
Right at home: Cuyahoga County opens doors to new Welcome Center
Cuyahoga County Executive Chris Ronayne and other County and the City of Cleveland officials, Re:Source Cleveland, and Global Cleveland recently celebrated the opening of the Cuyahoga County Welcome Center, aimed at supporting the area's diverse immigrant and refugee population. The hub provides essential services to help newcomer populations feel right at home. The new center earned a “Certified Welcoming” designation by Welcoming America.
Who’s Hiring in the #CLE: BlueBridge, Beck Center, Nature Center and more…
Need a job? Check out the latest edition of FreshWater Cleveland's “Who’s Hiring” series, where we feature growing companies with open positions, what they’re looking for, and how to apply.
Grass roots crime fighters: Funding programs to keep kids out of trouble
In late 2023, the City of Cleveland used $10 million in ARPA money to create and support the Cleveland Neighborhood Safety Fund, which helps grassroots organizations fight the root causes of crime with educational, inspirational, artistic classes. FreshWater Cleveland talks to six of the grant recipients and what the programs are doing.
Frank talk: MAGNET launches podcast series to spark conversations on manufacturing's future
In its new podcast series, "MAKE IT," MAGNET president and CEO Ethan Karp sits down with local leaders of companies like Cleveland Whiskey, Lubrizol, Malley's Chocolates, and Lincoln Electric to talk about the region's manufacturing future.
Architect Earl Andrews: Designed and built more than 100 NE Ohio homes, Henn Mansion
Cleveland Masterworks: Earl John Andrews came to Cleveland as a 23-year-old in 1905 to open his architecture practice and went on to design more than 100 homes in University Circle and the eastern suburbs—including a mansion for machine tool tycoon Albert W. Henn.
Human Trafficking Awareness Day marked with public vigilance and education
The Collaborative to End Human Trafficking, Community West Foundation, Cuyahoga County officials, and the community observed Human Trafficking Awareness Day at the Cleveland Public Library last week, emphasizing the importance of collective efforts in raising awareness, educating the public, and supporting survivors of human trafficking.
Cleveland Greyhound Bus station: The ideal of streamline moderne style
Cleveland Masterworks: Louisville-based architect William Arrasmith established himself in the 1930s and 1940s by designing Greyhound Bus Stations across the country in a Art Deco Streamline Moderne design—using long, horizontal lines and curving forms with a somewhat nautical look to create a sleek, almost futuristic architectural style that was the hot trend for the time. The Cleveland Greyhound station is one of his most celebrated of the 60 Greyhound stations Arrasmith designed and is on the National Register of Historic Places.
Who’s Hiring in the CLE: Fairfax Renaissance CDC, Journey Center, City of Cleveland
Need a job? Check out the latest edition of FreshWater Cleveland's “Who’s Hiring” series, where we feature growing companies with open positions, what they’re looking for, and how to apply.
How a city shapes its forests: Researchers look at 220 years of declining forests in the Forest City
Researchers at Baldwin Wallace University chronicled centuries of decline in the size and diversity of forests in Cuyahoga County. They used aerial photos and forest inventories from early land surveyors to determine the rate of decline and noted the current reforestation efforts to evaluate how the region can grow one-third of its remaining primary forests.
Nela Park: A century of lighting innovation and tradition
Cleveland Masterworks: East Cleveland's Nela Park is known as America's first industrial park, with its original 1913 Georgian Revival style buildings around a quad built for GE Lighting. The traditional holiday lighting display on the 93-acre campus continues for its 99th year through January 2.
Omega Psi Phi, local government officials hand out 500 gift baskets to fight food insecurity
Omega Psi Phi Fraternity, Zeta Omega Chapter partnered with Cleveland City Council president Blaine Griffin and other organizations last weekend for the organization's annual food basket giveaway at Ginn Academy. The group handed out 500 baskets to fight food insecurity.
Novel approach: Cuyahoga County brings services directly to the community
This fall, Cuyahoga County Executive Chis Ronayne initiated the Neighborhood Based Services program, partnering with Greater Cleveland Food Bank, Cuyahoga County Public Library, and Friendly Inn Settlement to bring services closer to residents and increase accessibility.
Catholic Charities prepares to deliver 13,000 free Christmas meals
Catholic Charities, Diocese of Cleveland, is gearing up to prepare and distribute 13,000 holiday meals at St. Augustine Hunger Center and throughout the community. Find out how to help, or sign up to receive a meal.
Community West Foundation awards $765,500 in grants to 18 area nonprofits aimed at bettering lives
With a mission of advancing the health and well-being of the Northeast Ohio community, the Community West Foundation recently approved $765,500 in fourth-quarter grants to 18 local nonprofit agencies.
We have a winner! Marshmallow of the Month Club takes first in Chain Reaction
Fox 8 News' "Kickin' it With Kenny" was live this morning at the Ariel LaSalle Theatre, announcing the winners of the sixth season of Greater Cleveland Partnership's Cleveland Chain Reaction. Find out who took home the first, second, and third place wins, for a total of $70,000.