Downtown
amtrust financial to bring 800 new jobs to downtown cleveland
AmTrust Financial Services, a multi-national property and casualty insurer based in New York, is consolidating and relocating its Northeast Ohio operations to Cleveland. The expansion will bring 800 jobs to Cleveland over three years. The company currently employs 250 people in its operational hub in Seven Hills.
The decision to open offices in Cleveland came primarily from $25 million in local and state incentives. The company was able to buy the primarily vacant office tower at 800 Superior Avenue earlier this year and has committed to spending at least $20 million in upgrades to the building. But company officials also see the potential in Cleveland.
“We have found the governor [John Kasich], the county executive [Ed FitzGerald] and the mayor [Frank Jackson] of Cleveland all to be very cooperative and helpful in sealing our decision to locate in downtown Cleveland,” says AmTrust CFO Ron Pipoly. “We also think downtown Cleveland is on the cusp of a lot of great jobs, with the casino, the new convention center, the medical mart, the development of the Flats East Bank, a Westin Hotel downtown and other large projects that now includes AmTrust."
The Seven Hills employees will move to the Cleveland offices over the next three years. “Based on current projections provided to the state, there may be up to 800 new jobs, in addition to the 200 jobs being relocated from Seven Hills,” explains Pipoly. The jobs will be in IT programming, underwriting and customer service.
Under current plans, AmTrust wil occupy between 250,000 and 300,000 square feet in the building, leaving a portion of the total 450,000 square feet available for other new downtown tenants.
Source: Ron Pipoly
Writer: Karin Connelly
The decision to open offices in Cleveland came primarily from $25 million in local and state incentives. The company was able to buy the primarily vacant office tower at 800 Superior Avenue earlier this year and has committed to spending at least $20 million in upgrades to the building. But company officials also see the potential in Cleveland.
“We have found the governor [John Kasich], the county executive [Ed FitzGerald] and the mayor [Frank Jackson] of Cleveland all to be very cooperative and helpful in sealing our decision to locate in downtown Cleveland,” says AmTrust CFO Ron Pipoly. “We also think downtown Cleveland is on the cusp of a lot of great jobs, with the casino, the new convention center, the medical mart, the development of the Flats East Bank, a Westin Hotel downtown and other large projects that now includes AmTrust."
The Seven Hills employees will move to the Cleveland offices over the next three years. “Based on current projections provided to the state, there may be up to 800 new jobs, in addition to the 200 jobs being relocated from Seven Hills,” explains Pipoly. The jobs will be in IT programming, underwriting and customer service.
Under current plans, AmTrust wil occupy between 250,000 and 300,000 square feet in the building, leaving a portion of the total 450,000 square feet available for other new downtown tenants.
Source: Ron Pipoly
Writer: Karin Connelly
Go Media is Here -- and luckily for us, they're here to stay. From its studios in a nondescript three-story brick warehouse on Lorain Avenue, the creative agency is putting Cleveland on the map as a burgeoning hub of art and design. In addition to creating good work, the firm does good work, promoting people and projects that are making Cleveland a better place to live.
ny times says, old rock and rollers hope for a nod from cleveland
"For the inductees [to the Rock Hall], the reward can be enormous," writes Janet Morrissey for the New York Times. "Weekly record sales for a performer or band leap 40 to 60 percent, on average, in the weeks after selection, says David Bakula, a senior vice president at Nielsen SoundScan. While winning a Grammy often helps one album, a nod from Cleveland can lift an entire back catalog."
In an article titled, "Battle of the Bands (and Egos) for the Rock Hall of Fame," Morrissey describes the so-called hall-of-fame effect that reignites the careers of long-forgotten starts.
"In 2009, good news from Cleveland bolstered the career of Wanda Jackson, 'the queen of rockabilly,' who gained fame in the mid-1950s and 60s. After Ms. Jackson was inducted, she collaborated on an album with Jack White of the White Stripes. Suddenly Ms. Jackson, who is now 74, was everywhere."
Morrissey also described the selection process, which is shrouded in secrecy and controversy.
Read the rest of the liner notes here.
In an article titled, "Battle of the Bands (and Egos) for the Rock Hall of Fame," Morrissey describes the so-called hall-of-fame effect that reignites the careers of long-forgotten starts.
"In 2009, good news from Cleveland bolstered the career of Wanda Jackson, 'the queen of rockabilly,' who gained fame in the mid-1950s and 60s. After Ms. Jackson was inducted, she collaborated on an album with Jack White of the White Stripes. Suddenly Ms. Jackson, who is now 74, was everywhere."
Morrissey also described the selection process, which is shrouded in secrecy and controversy.
Read the rest of the liner notes here.
guide book written for new arrivals and those who'd like to rediscover cleveland
A new Cleveland-centric book joins the slowly growing bookshelf of info-packed guides to our fair city. Written and self-published by Cleveland State University urban planning grad Justin Glanville, New to Cleveland: A Guide to (re)Discovering the City is targeted both to new arrivals as well as those who'd like to rediscover their city.
Readers will find general information about various Cleveland neighborhoods, including listings of restaurants, stores and cultural institutions. But also advice on where to send your kids to school, insights on the Cleveland real estate market, and the best neighborhoods for students, artists, professionals, retirees and those who want to live car-free or car-light.
The 250-page book includes more than 50 full-color illustrations by local artist Julia Kuo. The book is also printed in Cleveland.
The guide book is only the second to be written specifically about present-day Cleveland, the other being Avalon Travel's Moon Cleveland, penned by Fresh Water editor Douglas Trattner.
There will be a launch party from 7 to 9 p.m. on Wednesday, Dec. 14 at Happy Dog.
Books are available online and at this weekend's Bazaar Bizarre.
Readers will find general information about various Cleveland neighborhoods, including listings of restaurants, stores and cultural institutions. But also advice on where to send your kids to school, insights on the Cleveland real estate market, and the best neighborhoods for students, artists, professionals, retirees and those who want to live car-free or car-light.
The 250-page book includes more than 50 full-color illustrations by local artist Julia Kuo. The book is also printed in Cleveland.
The guide book is only the second to be written specifically about present-day Cleveland, the other being Avalon Travel's Moon Cleveland, penned by Fresh Water editor Douglas Trattner.
There will be a launch party from 7 to 9 p.m. on Wednesday, Dec. 14 at Happy Dog.
Books are available online and at this weekend's Bazaar Bizarre.
This month, the Ohio Department of Development, in collaboration with the Ohio Department of Taxation, launched InvestOhio. The $100 million tax credit program helps small businesses get the funds from investors they need to grow, succeed, and create jobs.
“We were hearing from small businesses here in Ohio that they were having trouble getting access to capital,” explains Matt Sutherland, senior tax incentive specialist with the Ohio Department of Development. “The program creates incentive for investors to invest in small business.”
Through InvestOhio, investors can invest up to $10 million in eligible small businesses in exchange for a 10 percent income tax credit for investments held for two years. Eligible small businesses must have less than $50 million in assets or less than $10 million in annual sales.
There are 900,000 small businesses in the state. Investment in small business through this program is expected to generate $1 billion in new private investments in small businesses by 2013.
“There are a lot of small businesses waiting to take off, and we’re happy InvestOhio is the catalyst to move forward,” says Sutherland. “If every small business added even a moderate number of jobs it would be a significant impact on Ohio’s economy.”
Source: Matt Sutherland
Writer: Karin Connelly
“We were hearing from small businesses here in Ohio that they were having trouble getting access to capital,” explains Matt Sutherland, senior tax incentive specialist with the Ohio Department of Development. “The program creates incentive for investors to invest in small business.”
Through InvestOhio, investors can invest up to $10 million in eligible small businesses in exchange for a 10 percent income tax credit for investments held for two years. Eligible small businesses must have less than $50 million in assets or less than $10 million in annual sales.
There are 900,000 small businesses in the state. Investment in small business through this program is expected to generate $1 billion in new private investments in small businesses by 2013.
“There are a lot of small businesses waiting to take off, and we’re happy InvestOhio is the catalyst to move forward,” says Sutherland. “If every small business added even a moderate number of jobs it would be a significant impact on Ohio’s economy.”
Source: Matt Sutherland
Writer: Karin Connelly
cuyahoga arts & culture announces this year's project support grants
On Monday, November 14th, the Board of Cuyahoga Arts & Culture (CAC) approved 88 grants totaling $1,029,164 for its 2012 Project Support cycle. The awards include traditional PS I grants and the new Project Support II, a small grant program that provides awards of up to $5,000. Grants range in value from $625 to $49,333.
This year garnered the largest number of applications in CAC’s history. A total of 131 organizations submitted Intent to Apply materials, of which 118 of were eligible. This is an increase of 45% from the previous year, which was also a record-setter.
The largest recipient is Scenarios USA, a nonprofit that that uses writing and filmmaking to foster youth leadership in under-served teens. The smallest is River Valley Ringers, a community handbell choir in Cleveland Heights. Others include EcoWatch, Building Bridges, LakewoodAlive, and numerous neighborhood development corps.
See all the grants here.
This year garnered the largest number of applications in CAC’s history. A total of 131 organizations submitted Intent to Apply materials, of which 118 of were eligible. This is an increase of 45% from the previous year, which was also a record-setter.
The largest recipient is Scenarios USA, a nonprofit that that uses writing and filmmaking to foster youth leadership in under-served teens. The smallest is River Valley Ringers, a community handbell choir in Cleveland Heights. Others include EcoWatch, Building Bridges, LakewoodAlive, and numerous neighborhood development corps.
See all the grants here.
Mike Kubinski is positively full of holiday cheer. The co-founder of CLE Clothing Company, known for its funky, Cleveland-themed T-shirts and other apparel, just quit his day job and opened a new store at E. 4th and Euclid in downtown Cleveland. Since the venue opened just in time for Black Friday, it's been flush with visitors.
Kubinski's new apparel shop also is a big, fat present to Cleveland. Bearing the catchy slogan "Spreading Cleveland pride one T-shirt at a time," CLE Clothing has brought a fresh, new concept into retail-starved downtown Cleveland.
"Ari [Maron] really didn't want another restaurant; he wanted retail," says Kubinski, who hurried together the store concept after being recruited earlier this year by Maron, a principal of developer MRN Ltd. "It was a good fit because we offer something cool, positive and different from what's already there."
The downtown CLE Clothing outlet actually is the company's second store; the first, called Native Cleveland, is located on Waterloo in North Collinwood.
"We built our business online first, but then we had an overwhelming response when we did pop-up stores," says Kubinski. "We opened Native Cleveland as a test, and then Ari Maron approached us about a store on E. 4th Street."
The new store is located adjacent to Positively Cleveland, the travel and tourism agency for Northeast Ohio. A passageway allows visitors to travel between the two locations.
"We sort of act as the gift shop for people visiting downtown Cleveland," says Kubinski. "It's a cool relationship that's just beginning."
Source: Mike Kubinski
Writer: Lee Chilcote
Kubinski's new apparel shop also is a big, fat present to Cleveland. Bearing the catchy slogan "Spreading Cleveland pride one T-shirt at a time," CLE Clothing has brought a fresh, new concept into retail-starved downtown Cleveland.
"Ari [Maron] really didn't want another restaurant; he wanted retail," says Kubinski, who hurried together the store concept after being recruited earlier this year by Maron, a principal of developer MRN Ltd. "It was a good fit because we offer something cool, positive and different from what's already there."
The downtown CLE Clothing outlet actually is the company's second store; the first, called Native Cleveland, is located on Waterloo in North Collinwood.
"We built our business online first, but then we had an overwhelming response when we did pop-up stores," says Kubinski. "We opened Native Cleveland as a test, and then Ari Maron approached us about a store on E. 4th Street."
The new store is located adjacent to Positively Cleveland, the travel and tourism agency for Northeast Ohio. A passageway allows visitors to travel between the two locations.
"We sort of act as the gift shop for people visiting downtown Cleveland," says Kubinski. "It's a cool relationship that's just beginning."
Source: Mike Kubinski
Writer: Lee Chilcote
NorTech was recently named a recipient of the State Science and Technology Institute’s 2011 Excellence in Technology-Based Economic Development (TBED) Awards. Now in its fifth year, the awards program identifies national models developed by states and regions to accelerate science, technology and innovation to grow their economies and create high-paying jobs.
NorTech won the Most Promising TBED Initiative award for its cluster model, which is currently being applied to advanced energy and flexible electronics industries. The model can also be applied to other industries.
"The SSTI award validates the NorTech model as a as a best practice approach to accelerate regional industry clusters,” says Rebecca Bagley, NorTech president and CEO. We look forward to continuing to apply our cluster development model to help companies grow, create jobs and attract capital to generate positive economic impact.”
NorTech is a nonprofit tech-based economic development organization serving 21 Northeast Ohio counties. As a catalyst for growing emerging technology industries, NorTech is leading efforts to develop regional innovation clusters that create jobs, attract capital and have a long-term, positive economic impact.
“The award brings external validation from national technology-based economic development practitioners for NorTech’s work and impact,” says Bagley. “From July 2010 to July 2011, advanced energy and flexible electronics cluster companies supported by NorTech have attracted $20.5 million in capital, created 171 jobs and generated $10.8 million in payroll.”
Source: Rebecca Bagley
Writer: Karin Connelly
NorTech won the Most Promising TBED Initiative award for its cluster model, which is currently being applied to advanced energy and flexible electronics industries. The model can also be applied to other industries.
"The SSTI award validates the NorTech model as a as a best practice approach to accelerate regional industry clusters,” says Rebecca Bagley, NorTech president and CEO. We look forward to continuing to apply our cluster development model to help companies grow, create jobs and attract capital to generate positive economic impact.”
NorTech is a nonprofit tech-based economic development organization serving 21 Northeast Ohio counties. As a catalyst for growing emerging technology industries, NorTech is leading efforts to develop regional innovation clusters that create jobs, attract capital and have a long-term, positive economic impact.
“The award brings external validation from national technology-based economic development practitioners for NorTech’s work and impact,” says Bagley. “From July 2010 to July 2011, advanced energy and flexible electronics cluster companies supported by NorTech have attracted $20.5 million in capital, created 171 jobs and generated $10.8 million in payroll.”
Source: Rebecca Bagley
Writer: Karin Connelly
The November CBIZ Small Business Employment Index (SBEI), a barometer for hiring trends among companies with 300 or fewer employees, increased by .35 percent in November. While the trend reflects companies surveyed across the country, “a good number of the survey respondents are from the Cleveland area,” says Phillip Noftsinger, business unit president of CBIZ Payroll Services.
While the trend is typical for the holiday season, Noftsinger is optimistic that the increase may lead to future job growth. “I think this time of year we would expect to see growth during the holiday season,” he says. “But we’re hoping a strong holiday season will support a longer term trend in these numbers. It’s a little early to tell though.”
A good holiday shopping season has the potential to continue into the new year. “Strong consumer spending sustains growth,” says Noftsinger. “We hope to see a continued strong holiday season, which leads to income growth and labor growth and an upward spiral in employment.”
Source: Phillip Noftsinger
Writer: Karin Connelly
While the trend is typical for the holiday season, Noftsinger is optimistic that the increase may lead to future job growth. “I think this time of year we would expect to see growth during the holiday season,” he says. “But we’re hoping a strong holiday season will support a longer term trend in these numbers. It’s a little early to tell though.”
A good holiday shopping season has the potential to continue into the new year. “Strong consumer spending sustains growth,” says Noftsinger. “We hope to see a continued strong holiday season, which leads to income growth and labor growth and an upward spiral in employment.”
Source: Phillip Noftsinger
Writer: Karin Connelly
The end of the NBA lockout came late last Saturday night, a gift to sports fans and downtown businesses alike. B-ball action isn't expected to hit center court until later this year. But even after it does arrive, many will be looking for other, cheaper, better ways to have fun downtown. Here are just a few.
Black Friday is, blessedly, behind us. So, too, is Cyber Monday. All that stands between today and the holidays are a few weeks of retail panic. Relax, brave shoppers. It has never been easier for a Clevelander to wrap up his or her holiday shopping thanks to a bevy of brief boutiques. These fleeting ventures spring up like magic mushrooms after an imaginary storm to make shopping fun, easy and 100-percent local.
What's the best thing a city can do to achieve more economic success? Increase its number of college graduates. Simply put: The most prosperous cities have the highest number of college grads. Efforts by CEO's for Cities and our own NOCHE -- dubbed the Talent Dividend -- are designed to up college attainment and thereby boost everybody's bottom line.
out-of-town art director has designs on cleveland
"Cookie and Kate," a food blog penned by a magazine art director, featured a travelogue of the author's recent visit to Cleveland. She was here as a guest of Positively Cleveland, which frequently hosts out-of-town writers for what's known in the biz as Food Fam Trips.
"Last month, I had the privilege of touring Cleveland and visiting some of the city’s finest dining establishments and sustainable local farms. I had never been to Cleveland before and had very little preconceptions about the city, although I must admit that the Drew Carey Show’s theme song played in my head every time I thought of Cleveland."
"I was thoroughly impressed by the chefs and the farm owners we met with during the trip. Each expressed his or her sincere dedication to improving the city’s economy through the food industry, by using sustainable techniques that would benefit Cleveland’s inhabitants in both the short and the long term. Chefs partner with nearby farms to ensure that they can serve super fresh, high quality ingredients. They support each other, often in friendly competitions, in ways that challenge their culinary artistry and encourage the community to support local agriculture."
Stops in cluded Brandt Evans' Pura Vida, West Side Market, Ohio City Farm, Great Lakes Brewing Company, Chef’s Garden and Culinary Vegetable Institute and Fireland's Winery.
Read more about her experiences here.
"Last month, I had the privilege of touring Cleveland and visiting some of the city’s finest dining establishments and sustainable local farms. I had never been to Cleveland before and had very little preconceptions about the city, although I must admit that the Drew Carey Show’s theme song played in my head every time I thought of Cleveland."
"I was thoroughly impressed by the chefs and the farm owners we met with during the trip. Each expressed his or her sincere dedication to improving the city’s economy through the food industry, by using sustainable techniques that would benefit Cleveland’s inhabitants in both the short and the long term. Chefs partner with nearby farms to ensure that they can serve super fresh, high quality ingredients. They support each other, often in friendly competitions, in ways that challenge their culinary artistry and encourage the community to support local agriculture."
Stops in cluded Brandt Evans' Pura Vida, West Side Market, Ohio City Farm, Great Lakes Brewing Company, Chef’s Garden and Culinary Vegetable Institute and Fireland's Winery.
Read more about her experiences here.
Anne Kelly used to travel four days a week for her job. Then about a year and a half ago she was traveling less and she found she had a lot more free time on her hands. She wanted to take that free time and do something that made a difference. “I felt I had the energy to do more for people,” she recalls. “A friend convinced me to join the Rotary Club.”
Then Kelly heard about the Lost Boys of Sudan, the Friends of the Sudanese Lost Boys of Cleveland. “These kids were basically told by their parents to flee on foot with lions and tigers and soldiers,” she explains. “They told the story of how they first got to Cleveland in winter and thought the snow was flour and that we were so wealthy that we let the flour flow into the streets. The first time they got in an elevator they thought it was the room where they would be staying.”
Those stories prompted Kelly to form Drinks for Do-Gooders, a monthly happy hour where for the cost of a drink, people could get together and help the Lost Boys. The first event raised $350. “The Rotary Club really got behind this concept,” says Kelly. “Then the Cleveland Professional 20/30 Club partnered on this, and it allowed me to see that it could grow bigger.”
Today, Drinks for Do-Gooders meets on a quarterly basis. The cover charge is a little higher -- $20 -- but includes drink tickets, appetizers and a raffle. The group has raised between $1,400 and $1,800 for worthwhile causes.
The next Drinks for Do-Gooders meeting is in January and will benefit Ohio City Writers. Best Buy has donated a 60-inch flat screen television to raffle off, and the Cleveland Play House has donated two tickets to an upcoming show. “Come out, have a drink and do some good,” says Kelly. “You can do more in a happy hour than just feeling like you got together for happy hour.”
Source: Anne Kelly
Writer: Karin Connelly
Then Kelly heard about the Lost Boys of Sudan, the Friends of the Sudanese Lost Boys of Cleveland. “These kids were basically told by their parents to flee on foot with lions and tigers and soldiers,” she explains. “They told the story of how they first got to Cleveland in winter and thought the snow was flour and that we were so wealthy that we let the flour flow into the streets. The first time they got in an elevator they thought it was the room where they would be staying.”
Those stories prompted Kelly to form Drinks for Do-Gooders, a monthly happy hour where for the cost of a drink, people could get together and help the Lost Boys. The first event raised $350. “The Rotary Club really got behind this concept,” says Kelly. “Then the Cleveland Professional 20/30 Club partnered on this, and it allowed me to see that it could grow bigger.”
Today, Drinks for Do-Gooders meets on a quarterly basis. The cover charge is a little higher -- $20 -- but includes drink tickets, appetizers and a raffle. The group has raised between $1,400 and $1,800 for worthwhile causes.
The next Drinks for Do-Gooders meeting is in January and will benefit Ohio City Writers. Best Buy has donated a 60-inch flat screen television to raffle off, and the Cleveland Play House has donated two tickets to an upcoming show. “Come out, have a drink and do some good,” says Kelly. “You can do more in a happy hour than just feeling like you got together for happy hour.”
Source: Anne Kelly
Writer: Karin Connelly
With just a few weeks standing between now and the holiday hand-outs, it's time to shift the shopping cart into high gear. But before you start sending your hard-earned cabbage out of state, consider shopping local. Fresh Water photographer Bob Perkoski takes us on a pictorial tour of some the best holiday pop-up shops. See this story for a complete list.
Judy Wright knows that there is strength in numbers. That’s the idea behind the Cleveland Colectivo, which has been getting together and raising money for good causes around town for the past seven years.
“We are a giving circle, which means we are a group of people who pool our money and then give it out collectively,” explains Wright. The Colectivo was founded by Wright and a group of friends working in the non-profit sector who wanted to make a difference but didn’t have the funds independently to make an impact.
But collectively, the group of about 30 people have made quite a difference. The group has raise $80,000 since its start, and has given the money raised to a wide spectrum of causes and organizations. “We made a specific decision not to have any theme,” says Wright. “We have the freedom to give to individuals, non-profits or small businesses.”
The Colectivo’s grants range from $500 to $5,000 and have gone to support anything from parent support groups to arts organizations to community development projects. “Our goal is to find champions to support,” says Wright. “You don’t have to be a millionaire to be a philanthropist. Our goal is to make philanthropy accessible and active.”
Source: Judy Wright
Writer: Karin Connelly
“We are a giving circle, which means we are a group of people who pool our money and then give it out collectively,” explains Wright. The Colectivo was founded by Wright and a group of friends working in the non-profit sector who wanted to make a difference but didn’t have the funds independently to make an impact.
But collectively, the group of about 30 people have made quite a difference. The group has raise $80,000 since its start, and has given the money raised to a wide spectrum of causes and organizations. “We made a specific decision not to have any theme,” says Wright. “We have the freedom to give to individuals, non-profits or small businesses.”
The Colectivo’s grants range from $500 to $5,000 and have gone to support anything from parent support groups to arts organizations to community development projects. “Our goal is to find champions to support,” says Wright. “You don’t have to be a millionaire to be a philanthropist. Our goal is to make philanthropy accessible and active.”
Source: Judy Wright
Writer: Karin Connelly
The Cleveland BVU: The Center for Nonprofit Excellence has partnered with Quicken Loans Arena in a program to encourage volunteerism. Participants who volunteer four or more hours through the BVU’s inaugural Community MVPs program can get buy-one-get-one tickets to an upcoming Cavs, Lake Erie Monsters, Canton Chargers or a Disney Princess show at the Q.
Additionally, those who log the most volunteer hours in any one of five specified time periods will win two floor seats to an upcoming Cavs game. “This is a great program that attracts all types of volunteers of all ages,” says Roseanne M. Deucher, director of the volunteer center at the BVU. “We’re really excited about participating in this program with the Q.
Such partnerships have been successful in recruiting volunteers in the past. The 2011 Cleveland Indians Challenge resulted in 40,000 volunteer hours, which translated into $850,000 worth of hours worked for good causes around Northeast Ohio.
The program runs until April 2012. Participants can find volunteer opportunities at any of the BVU’s registered nonprofit organizations at the Volunteer Center. “There are always new and fresh volunteer opportunities posted,” says Deucher. “It really allows people to find a volunteer opportunity quickly and easily.”
Source: Roseanne M. Deucher
Writer: Karin Connelly
Additionally, those who log the most volunteer hours in any one of five specified time periods will win two floor seats to an upcoming Cavs game. “This is a great program that attracts all types of volunteers of all ages,” says Roseanne M. Deucher, director of the volunteer center at the BVU. “We’re really excited about participating in this program with the Q.
Such partnerships have been successful in recruiting volunteers in the past. The 2011 Cleveland Indians Challenge resulted in 40,000 volunteer hours, which translated into $850,000 worth of hours worked for good causes around Northeast Ohio.
The program runs until April 2012. Participants can find volunteer opportunities at any of the BVU’s registered nonprofit organizations at the Volunteer Center. “There are always new and fresh volunteer opportunities posted,” says Deucher. “It really allows people to find a volunteer opportunity quickly and easily.”
Source: Roseanne M. Deucher
Writer: Karin Connelly
Global Cleveland, a regional economic development organization, has launched a pilot program: English and Pathways for Healthcare Professionals. The six-month program, launched in October, is designed to help immigrants with their English and find jobs that match the skills they developed in their native countries.
“The objective is to find immigrants jobs in healthcare who were healthcare professionals in their home countries but haven’t been able to find work here,” explains Global Cleveland president Larry Miller. “By the time they get out of the program we will help them find jobs, although maybe not at the level they were initially."
The pilot program has 21 participants from around the globe. Among them are four doctors, one RN, one dentist, one dietician and one physical therapist. None of them have jobs in their respective fields. During the six months the participants will study English medical terminology, learn about the U.S. healthcare system, get coaching on finding a job, and have networking opportunities.
“The stories I hear from the program so far is that it’s a frustrating situation for some of them and they’re excited about this program,” says Miller. Participants will also get help in transferring their credentials from their home countries to the U.S.
The program is run in partnership with The Ohio Board of Regents, Cleveland State University, Polaris Career Center, the World Education Services and NE ABLE.
“It’s a really nice partnership,” says Miller. “Everything’s coming together really nicely.”
Source: Larry Miller
Writer: Karin Connelly
“The objective is to find immigrants jobs in healthcare who were healthcare professionals in their home countries but haven’t been able to find work here,” explains Global Cleveland president Larry Miller. “By the time they get out of the program we will help them find jobs, although maybe not at the level they were initially."
The pilot program has 21 participants from around the globe. Among them are four doctors, one RN, one dentist, one dietician and one physical therapist. None of them have jobs in their respective fields. During the six months the participants will study English medical terminology, learn about the U.S. healthcare system, get coaching on finding a job, and have networking opportunities.
“The stories I hear from the program so far is that it’s a frustrating situation for some of them and they’re excited about this program,” says Miller. Participants will also get help in transferring their credentials from their home countries to the U.S.
The program is run in partnership with The Ohio Board of Regents, Cleveland State University, Polaris Career Center, the World Education Services and NE ABLE.
“It’s a really nice partnership,” says Miller. “Everything’s coming together really nicely.”
Source: Larry Miller
Writer: Karin Connelly
Kendall Embrescia’s greeting cards get to the point of the sentiment -- but usually not in the traditional way. As chief creative officer and “head skootcher” at Squirt & Skootch, Embrescia produces cards that are edgy, funny, off-the-wall and well received.
The idea for Squirt & Skootch was originally conceived in 2009 by Embrescia and a friend who wanted to start a business that united their love of writing, creativity and travel. The peculiar name is based on their childhood nicknames.
“One of the universal things I found when I traveled was mail,” recalls Embrescia. “No matter where I was I would send a postcard.”
So, in fall 2009, "Squirt" and "Skootch" gave their cards a trial run at the Tremont Arts Festival. Boasting sayings like “I have a heart on for you” and other spicy sentiments, the cards were very well received.
Then Squirt moved on and Embrescia’s friend Sandy Hridel joined the team. The two hit some stationary shows and developed a full line of cards, covering categories that ranged from Love and Sex to Holiday and Encouragement. Embrescia and Hridel formally formed an LLC in fall of 2010, hired Embrescia’s niece Kendra Kwasniewski to illustrate the cards, and got a crash course in running a business.
“We started identifying places that would sell our cards, cold calling people and walking into stores to sell our cards,” says Embrescia. “I’m a really creative person and learning the business stuff was really intense.” But the hard work paid off. Today, Squirt & Skootch can be found in stores around Northeast Ohio, as well as in Pittsburgh, Chicago, New York, Los Angeles and Colorado.
The company plans on hiring a web developer and some salespeople to go after mid-sized retailers. “Growth is certainly key,” says Embrescia. “We’ve been able to be creative and build an infrastructure, but now the emphasis is on growth.”
Source: Kendall Embrescia
Writer: Karin Connelly
The idea for Squirt & Skootch was originally conceived in 2009 by Embrescia and a friend who wanted to start a business that united their love of writing, creativity and travel. The peculiar name is based on their childhood nicknames.
“One of the universal things I found when I traveled was mail,” recalls Embrescia. “No matter where I was I would send a postcard.”
So, in fall 2009, "Squirt" and "Skootch" gave their cards a trial run at the Tremont Arts Festival. Boasting sayings like “I have a heart on for you” and other spicy sentiments, the cards were very well received.
Then Squirt moved on and Embrescia’s friend Sandy Hridel joined the team. The two hit some stationary shows and developed a full line of cards, covering categories that ranged from Love and Sex to Holiday and Encouragement. Embrescia and Hridel formally formed an LLC in fall of 2010, hired Embrescia’s niece Kendra Kwasniewski to illustrate the cards, and got a crash course in running a business.
“We started identifying places that would sell our cards, cold calling people and walking into stores to sell our cards,” says Embrescia. “I’m a really creative person and learning the business stuff was really intense.” But the hard work paid off. Today, Squirt & Skootch can be found in stores around Northeast Ohio, as well as in Pittsburgh, Chicago, New York, Los Angeles and Colorado.
The company plans on hiring a web developer and some salespeople to go after mid-sized retailers. “Growth is certainly key,” says Embrescia. “We’ve been able to be creative and build an infrastructure, but now the emphasis is on growth.”
Source: Kendall Embrescia
Writer: Karin Connelly
"My primary objective is to bring 100,000 newcomers to Northeast Ohio," says Larry Miller, newly appointed president of Global Cleveland. Miller brings more than 25 years of talent attraction and international human resources experience to the organization tasked with promoting the quality of life in and around Cleveland.