Downtown
Digiknow and Downtown Cleveland Alliance have partnered up in a new mobile marketing plan that uses QR codes to provide information to on-the-go residents. The QR codes will connect residents and customers to online profiles of downtown stakeholders such as bars, restaurants, entertainment venues, hotels, and commercial and residential properties.
Creative signs are making a comeback in Cleveland. Dramatic signage not only perks up a neighborhood visually, it makes them more competitive by helping indie retailers stand out from national chains. For proof, look at East Fourth Street.
If things seem a little brighter in East Cleveland these days, it may
be because of the new streetlights gleaming along a block of Noble Road.
General Electric bestowed its first local LED lighting installation on
East Cleveland, where GE Lighting has had its headquarters for the past 100
years.
The GE Evolve LED Street Lights could reduce East Cleveland's energy use by several million watts a year, according to the lighting manufacturer. And because the LED lights shine bright, uniform light across a long swath of street and sidewalk, they offer enhanced safety along busy Noble Road. The lights have an estimated service life of 10-plus years.
GE Lighting Solutions recently received a best-in-class award for its Evolve LED street lighting from the U.S. Department of Energy's Next Generation Luminaires competition.
GE is pushing to secure a multimillion-dollar lighting contract for the City of Cleveland. Bids for the project were due to the city on December 1. Cleveland Mayor Frank Jackson has vowed to tie energy-efficient lighting installation with job creation in Northeast Ohio by requesting that bidding companies agree to build a plant in Cleveland and bring 350 jobs there.
Could the East Cleveland installation serve as a kind of test drive for GE? GE Lighting president and CEO Michael B. Petra Jr. calls the Evolve streetlights "the perfect fit for the needs of urban municipalities."
SOURCE: City of E. Cleveland; GE Lighting
WRITER: Diane DiPiero
The GE Evolve LED Street Lights could reduce East Cleveland's energy use by several million watts a year, according to the lighting manufacturer. And because the LED lights shine bright, uniform light across a long swath of street and sidewalk, they offer enhanced safety along busy Noble Road. The lights have an estimated service life of 10-plus years.
GE Lighting Solutions recently received a best-in-class award for its Evolve LED street lighting from the U.S. Department of Energy's Next Generation Luminaires competition.
GE is pushing to secure a multimillion-dollar lighting contract for the City of Cleveland. Bids for the project were due to the city on December 1. Cleveland Mayor Frank Jackson has vowed to tie energy-efficient lighting installation with job creation in Northeast Ohio by requesting that bidding companies agree to build a plant in Cleveland and bring 350 jobs there.
Could the East Cleveland installation serve as a kind of test drive for GE? GE Lighting president and CEO Michael B. Petra Jr. calls the Evolve streetlights "the perfect fit for the needs of urban municipalities."
SOURCE: City of E. Cleveland; GE Lighting
WRITER: Diane DiPiero
Health Information Technology (HIT) is a rapidly emerging field that will likely grow much faster than the average jobs, according to the U.S. Department of Labor's Bureau of Labor Statistics. The Midwest Community College HIT Consortium is designed to ready a trained workforce for jobs in the HIT sector.
The consortium is comprised of 17 large community colleges in 10 Midwest states, and is being led by Cuyahoga Community College (Tri-C). Last month, the consortium launched a new website to educate potential students and employers about the training offered through these community colleges. The website lists workforce roles within HIT and the training opportunities available at each community college and through virtual learning.
Executive director of the consortium, Norma Morganti, says that the website is another tool to help the consortium reach its goal of training 2,700 people annually for HIT jobs. "Studies indicate that as many as 50,000 additional HIT professionals may be needed over the next five years," she notes. The consortium was created to support national electronic health records implementation, Morganti adds.
Tri-C received the ARRA/HITECH Grant through the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services to be the lead college for the consortium. As a result, Tri-C created several short-term, non-credit training programs to fill HIT jobs such as implementation support specialists, clinician/practitioner consultants and technical/software support staff.
Applicants for the short-term programs at Tri-C should have IT or IS experience in a business or health care environment or related work with medical billing, health information management or medical records.
SOURCE: Norma Morganti
WRITER: Diane DiPiero
The consortium is comprised of 17 large community colleges in 10 Midwest states, and is being led by Cuyahoga Community College (Tri-C). Last month, the consortium launched a new website to educate potential students and employers about the training offered through these community colleges. The website lists workforce roles within HIT and the training opportunities available at each community college and through virtual learning.
Executive director of the consortium, Norma Morganti, says that the website is another tool to help the consortium reach its goal of training 2,700 people annually for HIT jobs. "Studies indicate that as many as 50,000 additional HIT professionals may be needed over the next five years," she notes. The consortium was created to support national electronic health records implementation, Morganti adds.
Tri-C received the ARRA/HITECH Grant through the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services to be the lead college for the consortium. As a result, Tri-C created several short-term, non-credit training programs to fill HIT jobs such as implementation support specialists, clinician/practitioner consultants and technical/software support staff.
Applicants for the short-term programs at Tri-C should have IT or IS experience in a business or health care environment or related work with medical billing, health information management or medical records.
SOURCE: Norma Morganti
WRITER: Diane DiPiero
Cleveland's Eaton Corporation is accelerating its presence in the electric car market thanks to a new collaboration with Mitsubishi Motors North America and Best Buy. Eaton will be providing the Level 2 home-charging mechanism for Mitsubishi's i MiEV electric vehicle, which goes on sale in the fall of 2011. Eaton also will provide infrastructural support and Level 2 chargers to all of Mitsubishi's North American dealerships.
Level 2 charging stations are installed in a home garage to help reduce the charging time of lithium-ion battery-powered vehicles.
Eaton will design and manufacture the Level 2 charging station equipment, which will be sold and distributed through Best Buy. In addition, Eaton will be the sole supplier and installer of the Level 2 charging stations required at Mitsubishi dealerships that will be selling the MiEV cars. The company has been developing innovative hybrid and electrical power systems, including electric-vehicle charging infrastructure for commercial vehicles, for more than 20 years.
Rich Stinson, president of power distribution operations for Eaton's Electrical Sector, says that this collaboration between Eaton, Mitsubishi and Best Buy will allow residential drivers "to confidently go about their daily business, without being worried about where and when they will charge their vehicles.
SOURCE: Eaton Corp.
WRITER: Diane DiPiero
Level 2 charging stations are installed in a home garage to help reduce the charging time of lithium-ion battery-powered vehicles.
Eaton will design and manufacture the Level 2 charging station equipment, which will be sold and distributed through Best Buy. In addition, Eaton will be the sole supplier and installer of the Level 2 charging stations required at Mitsubishi dealerships that will be selling the MiEV cars. The company has been developing innovative hybrid and electrical power systems, including electric-vehicle charging infrastructure for commercial vehicles, for more than 20 years.
Rich Stinson, president of power distribution operations for Eaton's Electrical Sector, says that this collaboration between Eaton, Mitsubishi and Best Buy will allow residential drivers "to confidently go about their daily business, without being worried about where and when they will charge their vehicles.
SOURCE: Eaton Corp.
WRITER: Diane DiPiero
You'd be forgiven for thinking that "Indians Snow Days" refers to contingency plans in the event of a repeat of 2007, when the home opener was delayed, and finally called, due to snow. In April. Actually, Snow Days is an entirely different first in Major League Baseball: an off-season theme park inside a stadium, with the theme being wintertime fun.
According to Rob Campbell of the Indians' communications department, Snow Days was inspired by the National Hockey League's surprisingly successful Winter Classic, an outdoor hockey game played each New Year's Day. In its first year, 2008, the game filled Ralph Wilson Stadium in Buffalo, where the Bills play. The 2009 game, played at Chicago's Wrigley Field, set TV ratings records for pro hockey. Last year's match, at Fenway in Boston, was the finale of a Super Bowl-like week of events.
Lacking an NHL franchise, Cleveland would seem to have no chance of attracting the Winter Classic. Still, says Campbell, Dennis Lehman, the Indians' executive vice president for business, and Jim Folk, v.p. for park operations, were intrigued by the notion of opening the gates of Progressive Field in months when it's typically dark and quiet.
Campbell says that a great deal of market research went into determining what would lure folks downtown during the day in winter, a tradition that had gone the way of Higbee's and ice skating on Public Square. Some Metroparks offer snow tubing, and there's an outdoor skating rink at Wade Oval. But Snow Days brings these activities, and others, together in one place -- a place that's surrounded by restaurants and shops. And ultimately, says Campbell, making downtown a wintertime destination again is what it's is all about. Opening weekend attracted more than 6,000 visitors, and the team hopes for more than 50,000 before the whole thing wraps up on January 2.
"They're taking a huge step in [promoting downtown]," says Joe Marinucci, president and CEO of the Downtown Cleveland Alliance. "I'd love to see them expand it beyond the holiday season." That's definitely a possibility next year, Campbell says.
Snow Days was a hot topic at MLB's November meetings, Campbell adds. Once again, Cleveland is a national leader in creative reuse of vacant land.
Source: Cleveland Indians
Writer: Frank W. Lewis
According to Rob Campbell of the Indians' communications department, Snow Days was inspired by the National Hockey League's surprisingly successful Winter Classic, an outdoor hockey game played each New Year's Day. In its first year, 2008, the game filled Ralph Wilson Stadium in Buffalo, where the Bills play. The 2009 game, played at Chicago's Wrigley Field, set TV ratings records for pro hockey. Last year's match, at Fenway in Boston, was the finale of a Super Bowl-like week of events.
Lacking an NHL franchise, Cleveland would seem to have no chance of attracting the Winter Classic. Still, says Campbell, Dennis Lehman, the Indians' executive vice president for business, and Jim Folk, v.p. for park operations, were intrigued by the notion of opening the gates of Progressive Field in months when it's typically dark and quiet.
Campbell says that a great deal of market research went into determining what would lure folks downtown during the day in winter, a tradition that had gone the way of Higbee's and ice skating on Public Square. Some Metroparks offer snow tubing, and there's an outdoor skating rink at Wade Oval. But Snow Days brings these activities, and others, together in one place -- a place that's surrounded by restaurants and shops. And ultimately, says Campbell, making downtown a wintertime destination again is what it's is all about. Opening weekend attracted more than 6,000 visitors, and the team hopes for more than 50,000 before the whole thing wraps up on January 2.
"They're taking a huge step in [promoting downtown]," says Joe Marinucci, president and CEO of the Downtown Cleveland Alliance. "I'd love to see them expand it beyond the holiday season." That's definitely a possibility next year, Campbell says.
Snow Days was a hot topic at MLB's November meetings, Campbell adds. Once again, Cleveland is a national leader in creative reuse of vacant land.
Source: Cleveland Indians
Writer: Frank W. Lewis
There is no downtown "plan," per se, but there is a hell of a lot going
on. The newest piece to the revitalization puzzle is the NineTwelve
District, a new identity for the declining business corridor between
East 9th and East 12th streets, and Euclid and Lakeside.
The area once known as the financial district "is really going through a change," says Joseph Marinucci, president and CEO of the non-profit development group Downtown Cleveland Alliance. "Change" is a polite way of noting the slow but steady erosion of businesses there, exacerbated by the recession. More than a quarter of the office space is currently vacant, and more major employers -- including Key, Eaton and some law firms -- are expected to leave in the next few years.
Marinucci says the committee of stakeholders that is pushing the NineTwelve plan forward sees a mixed-use community, with more residential options, street-level retail, public spaces, perhaps even trolley service. He likens this thinking to public broadcasting entity ideastream's move to Playhouse Square, which has been beneficial for both.
"Young people especially are looking to be in a more vibrant district," he explains. "They pay attention to the environment they're living and working in."
The project is still in the "visioning" phase, Marinucci notes, and DCA is looking for funding for preliminary elements like branding and the development of public spaces. He warns that patience will be needed: "This is a multi-year strategy. We can't just wave a wand and in 12 months have a new district."
Source: Downtown Cleveland Alliance
Writer: Frank W. Lewis
The area once known as the financial district "is really going through a change," says Joseph Marinucci, president and CEO of the non-profit development group Downtown Cleveland Alliance. "Change" is a polite way of noting the slow but steady erosion of businesses there, exacerbated by the recession. More than a quarter of the office space is currently vacant, and more major employers -- including Key, Eaton and some law firms -- are expected to leave in the next few years.
Marinucci says the committee of stakeholders that is pushing the NineTwelve plan forward sees a mixed-use community, with more residential options, street-level retail, public spaces, perhaps even trolley service. He likens this thinking to public broadcasting entity ideastream's move to Playhouse Square, which has been beneficial for both.
"Young people especially are looking to be in a more vibrant district," he explains. "They pay attention to the environment they're living and working in."
The project is still in the "visioning" phase, Marinucci notes, and DCA is looking for funding for preliminary elements like branding and the development of public spaces. He warns that patience will be needed: "This is a multi-year strategy. We can't just wave a wand and in 12 months have a new district."
Source: Downtown Cleveland Alliance
Writer: Frank W. Lewis
Wendy Park on Whiskey Island might be Northeast Ohio's greatest greenspace success story.
Less than 10 years ago, precious few Clevelanders had ever visited the
site, which sits right where the Cuyahoga River meets Lake Erie. Nigh
on impossible to get to, and offering little more than volleyball
courts, there just wasn't much point. Steady improvements under county
ownership have pushed annual visits from about 7,000 in 2006 to more
than 200,000 today, and the work is not nearly over.
Last week, ParkWorks, county officials and landscape architects from San Francisco-based Conger Moss Guillard presented three versions of a Wendy Park master plan at a public forum. "I think they'll pull elements from all three that people like," says Justin Glanville of ParkWorks, "and sort of make a Frankenstein version."
The common traits among the plans are beach improvements, restored marsh area and use of solar panels wherever possible. Easier access will be achieved through a pedestrian and bicycle bridge, from the west side of the river and over the railroad tracks. On December 2, the county commissioners are expected to approve a contract with architect Miguel Rosales of Boston.
"This is an incredibly important space," says Paul Alsenas, director of the county planning commission. "There is no other place like it along our shoreline in Cuyahoga County.
Carol Thaler, the planning commission's program officer, adds that public input has shaped this project from the start. "It's a very important statement for the county," she says.
To view and comment on CMG's plans for Wendy Park, visit ParkWorks' web site.
Source: ParkWorks
Writer: Frank W. Lewis
Last week, ParkWorks, county officials and landscape architects from San Francisco-based Conger Moss Guillard presented three versions of a Wendy Park master plan at a public forum. "I think they'll pull elements from all three that people like," says Justin Glanville of ParkWorks, "and sort of make a Frankenstein version."
The common traits among the plans are beach improvements, restored marsh area and use of solar panels wherever possible. Easier access will be achieved through a pedestrian and bicycle bridge, from the west side of the river and over the railroad tracks. On December 2, the county commissioners are expected to approve a contract with architect Miguel Rosales of Boston.
"This is an incredibly important space," says Paul Alsenas, director of the county planning commission. "There is no other place like it along our shoreline in Cuyahoga County.
Carol Thaler, the planning commission's program officer, adds that public input has shaped this project from the start. "It's a very important statement for the county," she says.
To view and comment on CMG's plans for Wendy Park, visit ParkWorks' web site.
Source: ParkWorks
Writer: Frank W. Lewis
Experts estimate that the global flexible electronics market will grow to $250 billion by 2025. Northeast Ohio wants to ride that wave of innovation and market growth, and a recently unveiled plan for the region to become a global epicenter for the flexible electronics industry will play a part in realizing that goal.
Developed by NorTech, a technology-based economic development organization, The Northeast Ohio Flexible Electronics Road Map outlines strategies and initiatives to develop low-cost manufacturing of electronic devices printed on flexible materials with multiple global market applications. According to the plan, five key initiatives must be met in order for this mission to be successful:
* Identifying and pursuing market opportunities
* Increasing public funding and private investment
* Strengthening cluster alignment, communication and partnering
* Improving visibility and recognition
* Monitoring and reporting cluster growth and outcomes
By establishing a global epicenter for the flexible electronics industry in Northeast Ohio, the region could gain 1,500 jobs, $75 million in payroll and $100 million in capital by 2017.
"Further developing this industry will help us diversify our regional economy and ultimately create jobs, attract capital and have a positive economic impact in Northeast Ohio," says Rebecca O. Bagley, NorTech president and CEO. NorTech partnered with 23 technology and industry experts in the region to develop the Northeast Ohio Flexible Electronics Road Map. In September, NorTech was awarded a $500,000 federal grant to help small businesses that want to be involved in the expansion of the flexible electronics industry in Northeast Ohio.
Read the entire pdf Road Map here.
SOURCE: NorTech
WRITER: Diane DiPiero
Developed by NorTech, a technology-based economic development organization, The Northeast Ohio Flexible Electronics Road Map outlines strategies and initiatives to develop low-cost manufacturing of electronic devices printed on flexible materials with multiple global market applications. According to the plan, five key initiatives must be met in order for this mission to be successful:
* Identifying and pursuing market opportunities
* Increasing public funding and private investment
* Strengthening cluster alignment, communication and partnering
* Improving visibility and recognition
* Monitoring and reporting cluster growth and outcomes
By establishing a global epicenter for the flexible electronics industry in Northeast Ohio, the region could gain 1,500 jobs, $75 million in payroll and $100 million in capital by 2017.
"Further developing this industry will help us diversify our regional economy and ultimately create jobs, attract capital and have a positive economic impact in Northeast Ohio," says Rebecca O. Bagley, NorTech president and CEO. NorTech partnered with 23 technology and industry experts in the region to develop the Northeast Ohio Flexible Electronics Road Map. In September, NorTech was awarded a $500,000 federal grant to help small businesses that want to be involved in the expansion of the flexible electronics industry in Northeast Ohio.
Read the entire pdf Road Map here.
SOURCE: NorTech
WRITER: Diane DiPiero
Each year, the Golden 30 awards recognizes 15 established and 15 emerging top-performing companies in Erie, Huron and Lorain counties. This year's winners represent a panoply of Northeast Ohio businesses serving consumers, healthcare professionals, military and manufacturing.
Among the 15 emerging companies who received 2010 Golden 30 awards on November 16 were Synapse Biomedical, Inc., maker of the NeuRx Diaphragm Pacing System, which is used in the treatment of chronic respiratory ailments; Military Products Group, manufacturer of lifting and towing components for the military and aerospace industries; and K.M.U. Trucking & Excavating, Inc., which is licensed in 24 cities throughout Ohio and last year had $5 million in sales.
The Golden 30 defines emerging companies as those that have been in business between five and 14 years. Established companies are those in business for 15 or more years.
Established companies recognized by the Golden 30 include Exochem, a 40-year-old company specializing in foundry services and high-quality steel-related products; Jenne Distributors, which distributes business telephony, data, A/V conferencing and security technology products; and North Coast Cancer Care, which was named a Golden 30 winner for the second year in a row.
The Golden 30 Awards are sponsored by Lorain County Community College (LCCC) in cooperation with The Morning Journal and a number of economic development organizations in the region.
You can read about all of the recipients by vising the LCCC website.
SOURCE: LCCC
WRITER: Diane DiPiero
Among the 15 emerging companies who received 2010 Golden 30 awards on November 16 were Synapse Biomedical, Inc., maker of the NeuRx Diaphragm Pacing System, which is used in the treatment of chronic respiratory ailments; Military Products Group, manufacturer of lifting and towing components for the military and aerospace industries; and K.M.U. Trucking & Excavating, Inc., which is licensed in 24 cities throughout Ohio and last year had $5 million in sales.
The Golden 30 defines emerging companies as those that have been in business between five and 14 years. Established companies are those in business for 15 or more years.
Established companies recognized by the Golden 30 include Exochem, a 40-year-old company specializing in foundry services and high-quality steel-related products; Jenne Distributors, which distributes business telephony, data, A/V conferencing and security technology products; and North Coast Cancer Care, which was named a Golden 30 winner for the second year in a row.
The Golden 30 Awards are sponsored by Lorain County Community College (LCCC) in cooperation with The Morning Journal and a number of economic development organizations in the region.
You can read about all of the recipients by vising the LCCC website.
SOURCE: LCCC
WRITER: Diane DiPiero
There are far windier places in the US than Ohio, but there may be few better in which to site a commercial-scale wind farm. Thanks to a combination of factors -- not the least of which is recently enacted legislation -- Ohio finally has reached the wind-power tipping point. Even the faintest breeze promises to send Ohio tumbling to the top of the renewable energy heap.
The JumpStart Entrepreneurial Network has
added a new funding resource as part of its group of entrepreneurial
support organizations. The Wooster Opportunities Fund, developed by the City of Wooster
and Wooster Growth Corporation, in collaboration with the JumpStart
Entrepreneurial Network, will offer loans up to $35,000 for early-stage,
high-growth technology companies.
The new loan source is part of an ongoing effort to expand the entrepreneurial community in Wooster, according to Richard Benson, law director for the city and legal counsel for Wooster Growth Corporation. "There are so many new ideas and young companies birthed here, and the fund provides yet another reason for those ideas to turn into big companies right in the City of Wooster."
Entrepreneurs who apply for a loan from the Wooster Opportunities Fund will have at their fingertips additional resources available from the JumpStart Entrepreneurial Network, says John Dearborn, president of JumpStart. The JumpStart Entrepreneurial Network is composed of several Ohio Third Frontier entrepreneurial support organizations that together provide specific resources for young companies looking to grow.
An official launch event for the Wooster Opportunities Fund will take place on Thursday, December 2, from 2 to 4 p.m. at the Olde Jaol Restaurant, 215 N. Walnut St., in Wooster.
SOURCE: JumpStart Entrepreneurial Network
WRITER: Diane DiPiero
The new loan source is part of an ongoing effort to expand the entrepreneurial community in Wooster, according to Richard Benson, law director for the city and legal counsel for Wooster Growth Corporation. "There are so many new ideas and young companies birthed here, and the fund provides yet another reason for those ideas to turn into big companies right in the City of Wooster."
Entrepreneurs who apply for a loan from the Wooster Opportunities Fund will have at their fingertips additional resources available from the JumpStart Entrepreneurial Network, says John Dearborn, president of JumpStart. The JumpStart Entrepreneurial Network is composed of several Ohio Third Frontier entrepreneurial support organizations that together provide specific resources for young companies looking to grow.
An official launch event for the Wooster Opportunities Fund will take place on Thursday, December 2, from 2 to 4 p.m. at the Olde Jaol Restaurant, 215 N. Walnut St., in Wooster.
SOURCE: JumpStart Entrepreneurial Network
WRITER: Diane DiPiero
It's possible that the success of a company can be measured by the amount of work it actually has to put on hold in order to make room for more pressing client projects. Such is the case with Sideways, a Cleveland-based producer of multimedia, multi-touch digital productions for the iPad, iPhone and other mobile devices.
Sideways had recently launched an experimental magazine, called Sideways, which is authored specifically for the iPad. The idea was to create a monthly magazine app that incorporates mobile features, social media and in-app transactions that allow readers to purchase items mentioned in "print."
The company's work with major publishers, however, has recently grown at such a rapid pace that it has decided to put the iPad magazine on hold.
Many publishers are preparing "for the massive shift that the industry is in the midst of experiencing," says Eliza Wing, president and COO of Sideways. While some are waiting until 2012 to jump into the mobile device-publishing waters, Wing says, "others see this as an interesting sea change. The latter are the ones we are targeting and working with."
Sideways' offerings for publishers include Author App, a mobile branding and promotional tool; User-Navigable Maps, which can call up highly detailed location-based information by homing in on where a reader is located; and Multi-Dimensional Object Builder, which makes it possible for readers to carefully examine and explore any object in 3D.
"We grew by thirty percent last year and are up to 20 people," adds Wing. "[We're] always looking for strong mobile developers and a technology manager, and are currently fielding great content producers -- video, writing, images, etc. -- who want to use our technology to build compelling apps."
SOURCE: Eliza Wing
WRITER: Diane DiPiero
Sideways had recently launched an experimental magazine, called Sideways, which is authored specifically for the iPad. The idea was to create a monthly magazine app that incorporates mobile features, social media and in-app transactions that allow readers to purchase items mentioned in "print."
The company's work with major publishers, however, has recently grown at such a rapid pace that it has decided to put the iPad magazine on hold.
Many publishers are preparing "for the massive shift that the industry is in the midst of experiencing," says Eliza Wing, president and COO of Sideways. While some are waiting until 2012 to jump into the mobile device-publishing waters, Wing says, "others see this as an interesting sea change. The latter are the ones we are targeting and working with."
Sideways' offerings for publishers include Author App, a mobile branding and promotional tool; User-Navigable Maps, which can call up highly detailed location-based information by homing in on where a reader is located; and Multi-Dimensional Object Builder, which makes it possible for readers to carefully examine and explore any object in 3D.
"We grew by thirty percent last year and are up to 20 people," adds Wing. "[We're] always looking for strong mobile developers and a technology manager, and are currently fielding great content producers -- video, writing, images, etc. -- who want to use our technology to build compelling apps."
SOURCE: Eliza Wing
WRITER: Diane DiPiero
A refocused business strategy seems to have helped Datatrak International get back on track. The technology and services company, which helps clients streamline the clinical trials process, enjoyed a cash increase in third quarter 2010 over the previous quarter. Laurence Birch, chairman and CEO of the company, says that the $1.8 million in revenue and $11.4 million backlog are due in part to Datatrak's recent investment in additional resources. These included hiring a vice president of marketing and a vice president of clinical and consulting services.
"Execution of our current business strategy is proving successful, as evidenced by our continued profitability, increasing backlog and positive cash flows," Birch says. "Datatrak's solid third quarter results are a direct indicator of the company's re-emergence in the marketplace."
Revenue for third quarter 2010 increased 17 percent over the same quarter last year. For the three months ending September 30, 2010, Datatrak's income from operations was $53,000 compared to a loss from operations in the third quarter of the prior year. Datatrak also announced that it had no non-operating debt.
Datatrak's portfolio of software products is designed to accelerate the reporting of clinical research data from sites to sites to sponsors and ultimately regulatory authorities. The company is headquartered in Mayfield Heights and has representatives in Bryan, Texas, and Bonn, Germany.
SOURCE: Datatrak International
WRITER: Diane DiPiero
"Execution of our current business strategy is proving successful, as evidenced by our continued profitability, increasing backlog and positive cash flows," Birch says. "Datatrak's solid third quarter results are a direct indicator of the company's re-emergence in the marketplace."
Revenue for third quarter 2010 increased 17 percent over the same quarter last year. For the three months ending September 30, 2010, Datatrak's income from operations was $53,000 compared to a loss from operations in the third quarter of the prior year. Datatrak also announced that it had no non-operating debt.
Datatrak's portfolio of software products is designed to accelerate the reporting of clinical research data from sites to sites to sponsors and ultimately regulatory authorities. The company is headquartered in Mayfield Heights and has representatives in Bryan, Texas, and Bonn, Germany.
SOURCE: Datatrak International
WRITER: Diane DiPiero
MDG Medical has
been a two-country company for the last nine years. But by March 31,
2011, the developer of automated pharmacy technology equipment and
software will have completely moved its R&D group from Lod, Israel,
to its Aurora location. The company will begin electromechanical
assembly at the Aurora facility in 2011 or 2012.
Mark Saffran, president and CEO of MDG, says consolidating the company operations into one facility in Northeast Ohio is in direct response to MDG's goal of improving customer focus, leveraging resources and reducing expenses.
This is of course good news for Northeast Ohio. MDG has already shown a commitment to the region. At the beginning of 2010, MDG moved its corporate headquarters from Beachwood to the Aurora facility, which tripled the company's warehouse and service space and allowed MDG to expand its call center.
The company will be hiring as many as 30 people over the next several months as it looks to fill programmer, hardware engineer and manufacturing slots.
Founded in 2001 in Tel Aviv, MDG has more than 150 customers in five countries, with 95 percent of its business in the United States. The company's flagship product, ServeRx(TM), is a medication management product that increases patient safety while improving medical staff efficiency.
SOURCE: MDG Medical
WRITER: Diane DiPiero
Mark Saffran, president and CEO of MDG, says consolidating the company operations into one facility in Northeast Ohio is in direct response to MDG's goal of improving customer focus, leveraging resources and reducing expenses.
This is of course good news for Northeast Ohio. MDG has already shown a commitment to the region. At the beginning of 2010, MDG moved its corporate headquarters from Beachwood to the Aurora facility, which tripled the company's warehouse and service space and allowed MDG to expand its call center.
The company will be hiring as many as 30 people over the next several months as it looks to fill programmer, hardware engineer and manufacturing slots.
Founded in 2001 in Tel Aviv, MDG has more than 150 customers in five countries, with 95 percent of its business in the United States. The company's flagship product, ServeRx(TM), is a medication management product that increases patient safety while improving medical staff efficiency.
SOURCE: MDG Medical
WRITER: Diane DiPiero
Laurence Gartel, considered a pioneer in digital media, lectured a fall semester VMCAD
class via "telepresence," working with students remotely to create and
design 3D models of high-end automobiles. Gartel makes use of modern
technology to provide instant instruction and instant feedback to
students, even though he is hundreds of miles away.
"The interaction between students and artist in real time is the wave of the future," says Gartel. "Students can send files and get critiques immediately, both in front of their peers and independently."
For the project titled "Super Cars," Gartel's lesson was augmented by an in-class teacher, who worked with the students in learning the latest software applications. Gartel then translated some of the constructions into new works of art that will be included in an upcoming publication.
"Telepresence" makes online art classes engaging for teacher and students, according to Geof Pelaia, director of marketing for the college. "A few short years ago, online courses had no two-way dialogue," he says. "Now, Laurence can show and tell as if he were right with us in Cleveland."
Students will have the opportunity to see the work they create -- and their online teacher -- at VMCAD's open house on November 13 from 4 to 6 p.m.
SOURCE: Virginia Marti
WRITER: Diane DiPiero
"The interaction between students and artist in real time is the wave of the future," says Gartel. "Students can send files and get critiques immediately, both in front of their peers and independently."
For the project titled "Super Cars," Gartel's lesson was augmented by an in-class teacher, who worked with the students in learning the latest software applications. Gartel then translated some of the constructions into new works of art that will be included in an upcoming publication.
"Telepresence" makes online art classes engaging for teacher and students, according to Geof Pelaia, director of marketing for the college. "A few short years ago, online courses had no two-way dialogue," he says. "Now, Laurence can show and tell as if he were right with us in Cleveland."
Students will have the opportunity to see the work they create -- and their online teacher -- at VMCAD's open house on November 13 from 4 to 6 p.m.
SOURCE: Virginia Marti
WRITER: Diane DiPiero
local filmmaker scores with cleveland response to lebron
Since it was posted last week on YouTube, Dan Wantz's passionate short film "LeBron James 'Rise' Commercial & Cleveland's Response" has gone viral, to say the least. It has been viewed over 3 million times, received well over 15,000 comments, and has become required posting on Facebook. Within a single day, the video appeared on TMZ.com, which quoted Wantz as saying that he "just wanted Cleveland to have a voice" and that James was "more than just a basketball player" to the people of Ohio.
Since then writers for the Wall Street Journal, Huffington Post, Washington Post, even the Canadian Times all have weighed in. The Atlanta Journal Constitution's Jeff Schultz loves the video, saying, "It's pointed, it's hilarious and it makes a completely mockery of Nike's intent at image-making."
Responding to folks who say we Clevelanders are "holding a grudge" and that we should "get over it," Schultz writes, "Remember: It was Nike that stirred things back up again with a commercial. So [Cleveland's] backlash is completely in order."
If you haven't seen the video, check it out here.
Read Schultz's complete take here.
Since then writers for the Wall Street Journal, Huffington Post, Washington Post, even the Canadian Times all have weighed in. The Atlanta Journal Constitution's Jeff Schultz loves the video, saying, "It's pointed, it's hilarious and it makes a completely mockery of Nike's intent at image-making."
Responding to folks who say we Clevelanders are "holding a grudge" and that we should "get over it," Schultz writes, "Remember: It was Nike that stirred things back up again with a commercial. So [Cleveland's] backlash is completely in order."
If you haven't seen the video, check it out here.
Read Schultz's complete take here.
cle-based garick grows company by focusing on triple-bottom line
Cleveland's Garick, LLC distributes, processes and recycles natural resource products for the United States and Canada. The sustainability-focused company follows the triple-bottom line philosophy, which concentrates on the economic, environmental and social value it brings to the marketplace and the community.
Garick's Earth-friendly products include Nature's Helper(R) Soil Conditioner, the Paygro line of mulches and top soils, and Rooflite(R) material for "green roof" applications. Garick has four composting facilities around the country and produces composts and mulches that are 100 percent organic.
Sticking close to the triple-bottom line approach to sustainable business has allowed Garick to grow its company with the most efficient impact possible. Recently, Garick made two executive and three managerial hires. The company is currently looking to fill about 10 new positions, ranging from intern-level to managerial posts.
In September, Garick was acquired by Houston-based Waste Management. Gary Trinetti, CEO of Garick, views the agreement as a win-win situation that will allow Garick to expand its geographic footprint. The ability to leverage Waste Management's existing infrastructure, coupled with their commitment to redirecting organic waste streams to higher and better uses, will help close the loop for our mutual customers in accomplishing their recycling and sustainability goals," he says.
SOURCE: Garick, LLC
WRITER: Diane DiPiero
Garick's Earth-friendly products include Nature's Helper(R) Soil Conditioner, the Paygro line of mulches and top soils, and Rooflite(R) material for "green roof" applications. Garick has four composting facilities around the country and produces composts and mulches that are 100 percent organic.
Sticking close to the triple-bottom line approach to sustainable business has allowed Garick to grow its company with the most efficient impact possible. Recently, Garick made two executive and three managerial hires. The company is currently looking to fill about 10 new positions, ranging from intern-level to managerial posts.
In September, Garick was acquired by Houston-based Waste Management. Gary Trinetti, CEO of Garick, views the agreement as a win-win situation that will allow Garick to expand its geographic footprint. The ability to leverage Waste Management's existing infrastructure, coupled with their commitment to redirecting organic waste streams to higher and better uses, will help close the loop for our mutual customers in accomplishing their recycling and sustainability goals," he says.
SOURCE: Garick, LLC
WRITER: Diane DiPiero
Hundreds of Northeast Ohioans bike to work downtown. Many more surely
would, but for the challenges that present themselves upon arrival --
like parking and, well, sweating. But next year the city will have an
answer to those deterrents: The Bike Rack, set to open next spring in
the ground level of the parking garage at East 4th and High streets,
between Harry Buffalo restaurant and Quicken Loans Arena. Ground was
broken there in late October.
Modeled on bike stations in Europe and a growing number of American cities, The Bike Rack will offer bike commuters secure parking, lockers and facilities for showering and changing. The site will also rent bicycles, and the staff will include a technician who can help with repairs.
Kevin Cronin of Cleveland Bikes, which worked with the Jackson administration to develop the project, says that long-term goals include establishing relationships with hotels and promoting bike tours, to tap into the expanding bicycle tourism market.
"These are the things that open up when you have these sorts of facilities," he says. He also hopes that the project will raise awareness of biking among residents, and galvanize the bike community to rally for more bike-friendly infrastructure. A similar station in Chicago has been so popular, Cronin says, that plans for a second are under way.
The Downtown Cleveland Alliance will administer the site, and recently posted the job of operations manager. Cleveland Public Art is overseeing the design of the façade.
Source: Cleveland Bikes
Writer: Frank W. Lewis
Modeled on bike stations in Europe and a growing number of American cities, The Bike Rack will offer bike commuters secure parking, lockers and facilities for showering and changing. The site will also rent bicycles, and the staff will include a technician who can help with repairs.
Kevin Cronin of Cleveland Bikes, which worked with the Jackson administration to develop the project, says that long-term goals include establishing relationships with hotels and promoting bike tours, to tap into the expanding bicycle tourism market.
"These are the things that open up when you have these sorts of facilities," he says. He also hopes that the project will raise awareness of biking among residents, and galvanize the bike community to rally for more bike-friendly infrastructure. A similar station in Chicago has been so popular, Cronin says, that plans for a second are under way.
The Downtown Cleveland Alliance will administer the site, and recently posted the job of operations manager. Cleveland Public Art is overseeing the design of the façade.
Source: Cleveland Bikes
Writer: Frank W. Lewis
cle int'l film fest snags academy grant
Earlier this week, the Cleveland International Film Festival (CIFF) announced that its "Women of the World" program, films made by women or about women empowerment, was the recipient of a $20,000 grant from the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences. The CIFF is one of 30 U.S Film Festivals to receive this funding in the 2011 calendar year.
Debuting in 2008 at the 32nd CIFF, the "Women of the World" program continues to grow in popularity, thanks in part to sponsorship from the Cobalt Group.
The 35th Cleveland International Film Festival will be held March 24 to April 3, 2011 at Tower City Cinemas at Tower City Center.
For more information on the Academy's Festival Grant Program, visit here.
To read the CIFF release, click here.
Debuting in 2008 at the 32nd CIFF, the "Women of the World" program continues to grow in popularity, thanks in part to sponsorship from the Cobalt Group.
The 35th Cleveland International Film Festival will be held March 24 to April 3, 2011 at Tower City Cinemas at Tower City Center.
For more information on the Academy's Festival Grant Program, visit here.
To read the CIFF release, click here.