University Circle
cle tops in autism care, says autism speaks
WebMD reports that Cleveland is one of the top 10 cities for autism care in the nation, according to a recent survey conducted by the nonprofit advocacy group Autism Speaks. New York, Los Angeles, Chicago, Philadelphia, New Jersey, Minneapolis-St. Paul, Seattle, Milwaukee and Boston also made the top 10.
The survey is "the first to rank metropolitan areas on how well they provide educational, medical, and recreational resources for children with autism spectrum disorders, and flexible employment policies and respite care for parents. It includes responses from more than 800 people affected by autism in 48 states and the District of Columbia."
Only twenty-six percent of respondents said that they were satisfied with local schools, healthcare, and recreational activities. The other seventy-four percent said community services were generally unsatisfactory.
Says Autism Speaks President Mark Roithmayr, "We really wanted to get a pulse of the autism community across the United States. What were the things that were most important to them, and what were the things that made the biggest difference to them in their lives."
Read the rest here.
The survey is "the first to rank metropolitan areas on how well they provide educational, medical, and recreational resources for children with autism spectrum disorders, and flexible employment policies and respite care for parents. It includes responses from more than 800 people affected by autism in 48 states and the District of Columbia."
Only twenty-six percent of respondents said that they were satisfied with local schools, healthcare, and recreational activities. The other seventy-four percent said community services were generally unsatisfactory.
Says Autism Speaks President Mark Roithmayr, "We really wanted to get a pulse of the autism community across the United States. What were the things that were most important to them, and what were the things that made the biggest difference to them in their lives."
Read the rest here.
Thermalin Diabetes, a JumpStart Ventures portfolio company, recently closed $2.85 million in Series A investments, paving the way to the further development of short, medium and long lasting insulin analogs by Case Western Reserve Medical School Dr. Michael A. Weiss.
The announcement includes a second $250,000 investment from JumpStart, and exceeds Thermalin's original target by $1 million. "Having this round closed is great," says Thermalin CEO Rick Berenson. "I'm very excited about the progress. I'm looking forward to being able to report further progress."
The company is now moving immediately into Series B, in which the hope is to raise another $8 million. "With that we should be able to get through [the first] phases of studies."
The patents on existing insulins on the market are due to expire in 2013 and 2014, so the interest in Thermalin's developments is huge worldwide. Weiss' work centers around developing insulins that are more stable and effective on a more timely basis.
Thermalin has developed about 40 different analogs. The funding will allow the company to continue testing to determine which analogs to commercialize.
Insulin is a $14 billion a year market -- the largest volume drug market in the world. Insulin sales are expected to double in the U.S., triple in Europe and increase 12-fold elsewhere in the world as the disease reaches epidemic levels.
Thermalin employs six full time scientists at the Cleveland Clinic's Global Cardiovascular Innovation Center. The investment allows for additional key hires, including a senior scientist.
Source: Rick Berenson
Writer: Karin Connelly
The announcement includes a second $250,000 investment from JumpStart, and exceeds Thermalin's original target by $1 million. "Having this round closed is great," says Thermalin CEO Rick Berenson. "I'm very excited about the progress. I'm looking forward to being able to report further progress."
The company is now moving immediately into Series B, in which the hope is to raise another $8 million. "With that we should be able to get through [the first] phases of studies."
The patents on existing insulins on the market are due to expire in 2013 and 2014, so the interest in Thermalin's developments is huge worldwide. Weiss' work centers around developing insulins that are more stable and effective on a more timely basis.
Thermalin has developed about 40 different analogs. The funding will allow the company to continue testing to determine which analogs to commercialize.
Insulin is a $14 billion a year market -- the largest volume drug market in the world. Insulin sales are expected to double in the U.S., triple in Europe and increase 12-fold elsewhere in the world as the disease reaches epidemic levels.
Thermalin employs six full time scientists at the Cleveland Clinic's Global Cardiovascular Innovation Center. The investment allows for additional key hires, including a senior scientist.
Source: Rick Berenson
Writer: Karin Connelly
April and May bring out the best in design during the inaugural Cleveland Design Month-and-a-Half, which features two events that show off the talents of local design students as well as regional and national designers.
The Cleveland Institute of Art's annual Spring Design Show, a tradition for more than 20 years, kicks off on Tuesday, April 19, while the Cleveland Furniture Fair, hosted by Cleveland's District of Design, begins May 16.
In the spring show student work in industrial, interior and communication design will be on display for the public, as well as national employers in Case Western Reserve's Peter B. Lewis building. "More than 100 students show work and interview for internships," says CIA's head of industrial design, Dan Cuffaro. "It's a big job fair." A free public reception from 5:30 p.m. to 8 p.m. will kick off the event.
Throughout the week, designers hailing from some of the most progressive firms in the world will present a series of free lectures to the public.
The second annual Cleveland Furniture Fair will show off the brightest designers and manufacturers of furniture, lighting, millwork and more. This year's fair has a greater variety of designers from Northeast Ohio, unique seminars tailored specifically for exhibitors and the public, as well as pop-up retail shops and a variety of design-focused events.
Additionally, the American Institute of Architects (AIA) Cleveland Chapter has a calendar full of lectures, exhibitions, and tours open to the public that will introduce new and exciting architecture and design to Northeast Ohio.
Sources: Dan Cuffaro, Casey Burry
Writer: Karin Connelly
The Cleveland Institute of Art's annual Spring Design Show, a tradition for more than 20 years, kicks off on Tuesday, April 19, while the Cleveland Furniture Fair, hosted by Cleveland's District of Design, begins May 16.
In the spring show student work in industrial, interior and communication design will be on display for the public, as well as national employers in Case Western Reserve's Peter B. Lewis building. "More than 100 students show work and interview for internships," says CIA's head of industrial design, Dan Cuffaro. "It's a big job fair." A free public reception from 5:30 p.m. to 8 p.m. will kick off the event.
Throughout the week, designers hailing from some of the most progressive firms in the world will present a series of free lectures to the public.
The second annual Cleveland Furniture Fair will show off the brightest designers and manufacturers of furniture, lighting, millwork and more. This year's fair has a greater variety of designers from Northeast Ohio, unique seminars tailored specifically for exhibitors and the public, as well as pop-up retail shops and a variety of design-focused events.
Additionally, the American Institute of Architects (AIA) Cleveland Chapter has a calendar full of lectures, exhibitions, and tours open to the public that will introduce new and exciting architecture and design to Northeast Ohio.
Sources: Dan Cuffaro, Casey Burry
Writer: Karin Connelly
euclid ave corridor project finalist in national land-use prize
Urban Land Institute (ULI) has announced 20 finalists for its 2011 Awards for Excellence: The Americas Competition, "widely recognized as the land use industry's most prestigious recognition program."
"The criteria for the awards include leadership, contribution to the community, innovations, public/private partnership, environmental protection and enhancement, response to societal needs, and financial viability."
Cleveland's Euclid Avenue Transportation Project, developed by Greater Cleveland Regional Transit Authority and designed by Sasaki Associates, is one of the finalists.
"The $200 million Euclid Avenue Transportation Project brings bus rapid transit (BRT) and an improved streetscape along 8.3 miles of Cleveland's historic Euclid Avenue, connecting the central business district with major cultural, medical, and education users -- all at one-fourth the cost of light rail."
The project has also spurred $4.7 billion in spin-off investment and 11.4 million square feet of new and planned development.
Other finalists include Riverfront Park in Denver, Broadway Family Apartments in San Francisco, and Center for Urban Waters in Tacoma.
The winners will be announced on May 20 at the 2011 ULI Real Estate Summit in Phoenix.
Read the rest here.
"The criteria for the awards include leadership, contribution to the community, innovations, public/private partnership, environmental protection and enhancement, response to societal needs, and financial viability."
Cleveland's Euclid Avenue Transportation Project, developed by Greater Cleveland Regional Transit Authority and designed by Sasaki Associates, is one of the finalists.
"The $200 million Euclid Avenue Transportation Project brings bus rapid transit (BRT) and an improved streetscape along 8.3 miles of Cleveland's historic Euclid Avenue, connecting the central business district with major cultural, medical, and education users -- all at one-fourth the cost of light rail."
The project has also spurred $4.7 billion in spin-off investment and 11.4 million square feet of new and planned development.
Other finalists include Riverfront Park in Denver, Broadway Family Apartments in San Francisco, and Center for Urban Waters in Tacoma.
The winners will be announced on May 20 at the 2011 ULI Real Estate Summit in Phoenix.
Read the rest here.
clinic claims 'system for change' award
Practice Greenhealth has named Cleveland Clinic Health System as one of eight recipients of its "System for Change" award.
"This award recognizes health systems that are working cohesively to gather data, set system goals, benchmark, and share successes in environmental performance."
Other award recipients include Advocate Health Care, Oak Brook, IL; Bon Secours Health System, Inc., Marriotsville, MD; and Catholic Healthcare West, San Francisco, CA.
"Practice Greenhealth is the nation's leading membership and networking organization for institutions in the healthcare community that have made a commitment to sustainable, eco-friendly practices. Members include hospitals, healthcare systems, businesses and other stakeholders engaged in the greening of healthcare to improve the health of patients, staff and the environment."
Check out the full report here.
"This award recognizes health systems that are working cohesively to gather data, set system goals, benchmark, and share successes in environmental performance."
Other award recipients include Advocate Health Care, Oak Brook, IL; Bon Secours Health System, Inc., Marriotsville, MD; and Catholic Healthcare West, San Francisco, CA.
"Practice Greenhealth is the nation's leading membership and networking organization for institutions in the healthcare community that have made a commitment to sustainable, eco-friendly practices. Members include hospitals, healthcare systems, businesses and other stakeholders engaged in the greening of healthcare to improve the health of patients, staff and the environment."
Check out the full report here.
When it comes to sustainability, we are all lifelong students. Cleveland's higher education institutions are not excluded from this learning process. In fact, area colleges and universities spent a year reflecting upon on-campus sustainability initiatives and ways to improve current practices.
The Collegiate Sustainable Practices Consortium (CSPC) brought together six local colleges and universities to talk about best practices regarding energy, water, food, building and other areas of sustainability. Led by David Kruger, director of Baldwin-Wallace's Institute for Sustainable Business Practice (ISBP), the group included B-W, Case Western Reserve University, Cleveland State University, Cuyahoga Community College, John Carroll and Oberlin.
Kruger noted in a summary of the consortium that "with its highly industrialized, manufacturing base, [our region] carries a long legacy of sustainability-related challenges: slowly declining employment in several economic sectors; a large environmental and carbon footprint from our manufacturing base; continued population decline in our urban core and in our region at large; and an aging infrastructure."
A recently released report shows what some local higher learning institutions have implemented regarding sustainability:
Baldwin Wallace's Ernthausen Residence Hall became the first residence hall in Ohio to have a geothermal heating and cooling system. . B-W has gone so far in its green initiatives to remove light bulbs from vending machine to conserve energy.
Cleveland State University has been investing in efficient lighting, solar power, mechanical upgrades and recycling programs. The school has been promoting student involvement in its sustainability efforts.
Cuyahoga Community College has six commissioned projects aiming aim for LEED Silver Certification. Tri-C has also developed its own customized green building standards for new construction and renovation projects.
SOURCES: B-W, CSU, Tri-C, Institute for Sustainable Business Practice
WRITER: Diane DiPiero
The Collegiate Sustainable Practices Consortium (CSPC) brought together six local colleges and universities to talk about best practices regarding energy, water, food, building and other areas of sustainability. Led by David Kruger, director of Baldwin-Wallace's Institute for Sustainable Business Practice (ISBP), the group included B-W, Case Western Reserve University, Cleveland State University, Cuyahoga Community College, John Carroll and Oberlin.
Kruger noted in a summary of the consortium that "with its highly industrialized, manufacturing base, [our region] carries a long legacy of sustainability-related challenges: slowly declining employment in several economic sectors; a large environmental and carbon footprint from our manufacturing base; continued population decline in our urban core and in our region at large; and an aging infrastructure."
A recently released report shows what some local higher learning institutions have implemented regarding sustainability:
Baldwin Wallace's Ernthausen Residence Hall became the first residence hall in Ohio to have a geothermal heating and cooling system. . B-W has gone so far in its green initiatives to remove light bulbs from vending machine to conserve energy.
Cleveland State University has been investing in efficient lighting, solar power, mechanical upgrades and recycling programs. The school has been promoting student involvement in its sustainability efforts.
Cuyahoga Community College has six commissioned projects aiming aim for LEED Silver Certification. Tri-C has also developed its own customized green building standards for new construction and renovation projects.
SOURCES: B-W, CSU, Tri-C, Institute for Sustainable Business Practice
WRITER: Diane DiPiero
TEDxCLE is an annual forum that gathers the region's big thinkers to share ideas worth spreading. Organizers -- and recent "brain gains" -- Hallie Bram and Eric Kogelschatz seek to change the perceptions of people who live here as well as those outside the region by sharing stories of success, innovation and inspiration.
The picturesque Doan Brook meanders through Cleveland Heights and Shaker Heights, providing walkers and joggers with a scenic backdrop. Yet the section that flows through Cleveland's Rockefeller Park remains boxed in by crumbling stone walls.
This year, a $2.5 million project to restore these portions of the Doan Brook will finally get started. The project will remove failing stone walls and concrete dams for nearly a half-mile, allowing the stream to flow more naturally while improving water quality and increasing fish populations.
"This project could serve as a model for other communities that are seeking to create healthier streams in urban areas," says Victoria Mills, Executive Director of the nonprofit Doan Brook Watershed Partnership.
The Doan Brook project was originally slated to receive $5.5 million, but was scaled back after bids came in over budget. The new plan addresses these concerns by creating natural terraces that improve drainage and reduce flooding without threatening portions of the gardens. The Northeast Ohio Regional Sewer District (NEORSD) will manage the design and construction process.
Although the project is smaller in scale than originally envisioned, Mills is excited about its impact. "I am hopeful that it will spur more improvement projects in Rockefeller Park, including a new master plan," she says.
The Doan Brook improvement project was conceived in 2001, when the Ohio Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) ordered the city to restore the brook to compensate for the loss of 88 acres of wetland and more than a mile of Abram Creek at Cleveland Hopkins International Airport. Abram Creek was destroyed to allow for a new runway to be built. The EPA required the city to complete $15 million in restoration projects, most of which have now been completed.
The brook is rare among Cleveland's urban streams because much of it remains above ground. The Doan Brook Watershed Partnership was formed in 2001 to coordinate the preservation efforts of the cities of Cleveland Heights, Shaker Heights, Cleveland and interested citizens. Over the years, Doan Brook has developed an active constituency dedicated to its renewal. The Doan Brook Watershed Partnership will hold a clean-up day on April 17th. To register call 216-321-5935 x 237 or visit the website.
The $2.5 million project will also remove some invasive species and allow limited access to the brook, but will not address flooding.
Source: Victoria Mills
Writer: Lee Chilcote
This year, a $2.5 million project to restore these portions of the Doan Brook will finally get started. The project will remove failing stone walls and concrete dams for nearly a half-mile, allowing the stream to flow more naturally while improving water quality and increasing fish populations.
"This project could serve as a model for other communities that are seeking to create healthier streams in urban areas," says Victoria Mills, Executive Director of the nonprofit Doan Brook Watershed Partnership.
The Doan Brook project was originally slated to receive $5.5 million, but was scaled back after bids came in over budget. The new plan addresses these concerns by creating natural terraces that improve drainage and reduce flooding without threatening portions of the gardens. The Northeast Ohio Regional Sewer District (NEORSD) will manage the design and construction process.
Although the project is smaller in scale than originally envisioned, Mills is excited about its impact. "I am hopeful that it will spur more improvement projects in Rockefeller Park, including a new master plan," she says.
The Doan Brook improvement project was conceived in 2001, when the Ohio Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) ordered the city to restore the brook to compensate for the loss of 88 acres of wetland and more than a mile of Abram Creek at Cleveland Hopkins International Airport. Abram Creek was destroyed to allow for a new runway to be built. The EPA required the city to complete $15 million in restoration projects, most of which have now been completed.
The brook is rare among Cleveland's urban streams because much of it remains above ground. The Doan Brook Watershed Partnership was formed in 2001 to coordinate the preservation efforts of the cities of Cleveland Heights, Shaker Heights, Cleveland and interested citizens. Over the years, Doan Brook has developed an active constituency dedicated to its renewal. The Doan Brook Watershed Partnership will hold a clean-up day on April 17th. To register call 216-321-5935 x 237 or visit the website.
The $2.5 million project will also remove some invasive species and allow limited access to the brook, but will not address flooding.
Source: Victoria Mills
Writer: Lee Chilcote
u.s. news & world report praises university hospitals
University Hospitals has announced that its hospitals received high ratings from both U.S. News & World Report and Thomson Reuters.
Four UH hospitals, including UH Case Medical Center, St. John Medical Center, UH Geauga Medical Center, and Southwest General Health Center, were included in U.S. News & World Report's "Best Hospitals" metro area rankings.
"The new rankings recognize 622 hospitals in or near major cities with a record of high performance in key medical specialties, including 132 of the 152 hospitals already identified as the best in the nation. There are nearly 5,000 hospitals nationwide."
UH Case Medical Center has been included in the Thomson Reuters "Top 100 Hospitals" list for the sixth consecutive year. It is the only hospital in Northeast Ohio to be recognized in the top major teaching hospitals category.
"The study found that the 15 top major teaching hospitals had scored better than their peer group of U.S. hospitals in mortality; medical complications; patient safety; average length of stay; expenses; profitability; patient satisfaction; adherence to clinical standards of care, post-discharge mortality; and readmission rates for acute myocardial infarction, heart failure and pneumonia."
Examine the rest of the good news here.
Four UH hospitals, including UH Case Medical Center, St. John Medical Center, UH Geauga Medical Center, and Southwest General Health Center, were included in U.S. News & World Report's "Best Hospitals" metro area rankings.
"The new rankings recognize 622 hospitals in or near major cities with a record of high performance in key medical specialties, including 132 of the 152 hospitals already identified as the best in the nation. There are nearly 5,000 hospitals nationwide."
UH Case Medical Center has been included in the Thomson Reuters "Top 100 Hospitals" list for the sixth consecutive year. It is the only hospital in Northeast Ohio to be recognized in the top major teaching hospitals category.
"The study found that the 15 top major teaching hospitals had scored better than their peer group of U.S. hospitals in mortality; medical complications; patient safety; average length of stay; expenses; profitability; patient satisfaction; adherence to clinical standards of care, post-discharge mortality; and readmission rates for acute myocardial infarction, heart failure and pneumonia."
Examine the rest of the good news here.
Cleveland-based ChanTest has tested more than 20,000 compounds for hundreds of pharmaceutical and biotech companies around the world since its founding in 1998. Over the years, the company has also developed a cell optimization service. These advancements have helped pharmaceutical and biotech companies develop safer drugs for a variety of health-related issues.
ChanTest has now formed an agreement with Molecular Devices, a Sunnyvale, California, company, to further its impact on the industry. Molecular Devices will distribute ChanTest's ion channels and promote its cell optimization services to a number of global customers.
Dr. Arthur Brown, founder of ChanTest, says that this partnership will benefit ChanTest because of the screening instrumentation provided by Molecular Devices. These include automated electrophysiology devices, which study the effects of electric activity in the body. "The ability to screen ion channels with automated electrophysiology is revolutionizing drug discovery," according to Dr. Brown.
ChanTest has a staff of 70 people, including scientists specializing in molecular and cell biology, chemistry and electrophysiology.
SOURCE: ChanTest
WRITER: Diane DiPiero
ChanTest has now formed an agreement with Molecular Devices, a Sunnyvale, California, company, to further its impact on the industry. Molecular Devices will distribute ChanTest's ion channels and promote its cell optimization services to a number of global customers.
Dr. Arthur Brown, founder of ChanTest, says that this partnership will benefit ChanTest because of the screening instrumentation provided by Molecular Devices. These include automated electrophysiology devices, which study the effects of electric activity in the body. "The ability to screen ion channels with automated electrophysiology is revolutionizing drug discovery," according to Dr. Brown.
ChanTest has a staff of 70 people, including scientists specializing in molecular and cell biology, chemistry and electrophysiology.
SOURCE: ChanTest
WRITER: Diane DiPiero
united press int'l reports on case fuel cell breakthrough
UPI recently reported on Case Western Reserve University's breakthrough in the development of low-cost hydrogen fuel cells, which will power the electric cars of the future.
Researchers at the university say catalysts made of polymer-dipped carbon nanotubes can outperform traditional platinum catalysts in fuel cells at a fraction of the cost. The cost of catalysts is one of the biggest obstacles to widespread cell use, say scientists.
"Platinum, which represents at least a quarter of the cost of fuel cells, currently sells for about $30,000 per pound," states the article, "while the activated carbon nanotubes cost about $45 per pound."
"This is a breakthrough," professor Liming Dai says in the article.
In testing, the carbon catalyst fuel cell produced as much power as an identical cell using a platinum catalyst.
Read the full report here.
Researchers at the university say catalysts made of polymer-dipped carbon nanotubes can outperform traditional platinum catalysts in fuel cells at a fraction of the cost. The cost of catalysts is one of the biggest obstacles to widespread cell use, say scientists.
"Platinum, which represents at least a quarter of the cost of fuel cells, currently sells for about $30,000 per pound," states the article, "while the activated carbon nanotubes cost about $45 per pound."
"This is a breakthrough," professor Liming Dai says in the article.
In testing, the carbon catalyst fuel cell produced as much power as an identical cell using a platinum catalyst.
Read the full report here.
cleveland museum of art goes shopping
An Antiques and the Arts article features recent acquisitions made by the Cleveland Museum of Art.
"A singular Jacobean miniature, a Thomas Hope settee, a large and pristine British watercolor and a sculpture by contemporary Polish artist Monika Sosnowska are among the latest works approved by the collections committee of the Cleveland Museum of Art's board of trustees. The museum is continuing to collect across all departments as it moves toward the completion of its transformational building expansion and collection reinstallation in 2013."
"Madonna and Child in Glory," a cabinet miniature, was painted by Isaac Oliver (1565-1617), one of the most prominent practitioners of miniature painting in the Jacobean period.
The neoclassical settee (circa 1802-1807) was designed by English Regency designer Thomas Hope.
William Callow's "The Temple of Vesta and the Falls at Tivoli" is a large watercolor that will complement CMA's collection of British drawings, a recent area of acquisition focus. The painting was based on sketches Callow made when he visited Italy in 1840.
Monika Sosnowska created "Stairs," a steel sculpture based on fire escape stairs, in summer 2010.
View the complete work here.
"A singular Jacobean miniature, a Thomas Hope settee, a large and pristine British watercolor and a sculpture by contemporary Polish artist Monika Sosnowska are among the latest works approved by the collections committee of the Cleveland Museum of Art's board of trustees. The museum is continuing to collect across all departments as it moves toward the completion of its transformational building expansion and collection reinstallation in 2013."
"Madonna and Child in Glory," a cabinet miniature, was painted by Isaac Oliver (1565-1617), one of the most prominent practitioners of miniature painting in the Jacobean period.
The neoclassical settee (circa 1802-1807) was designed by English Regency designer Thomas Hope.
William Callow's "The Temple of Vesta and the Falls at Tivoli" is a large watercolor that will complement CMA's collection of British drawings, a recent area of acquisition focus. The painting was based on sketches Callow made when he visited Italy in 1840.
Monika Sosnowska created "Stairs," a steel sculpture based on fire escape stairs, in summer 2010.
View the complete work here.
As founder, president and CEO of Quality Electrodynamics (QED) and founder of solar energy company eQED, Hiroyuki Fujita seems to have his finger on the pulse of emerging innovations. He believes in Cleveland's ability to be a major player, especially in bioscience.
At the recent Summit on Leadership at the Union Club, which this reporter attended, Fujita talked about what's still needed to make Cleveland the undisputed leader in healthcare-related industries.
"Cleveland is very strong in biomedicine," said Fujito, who came here from Japan in 1992 to attend Case Western Reserve University. Where Cleveland needs to develop is in the technical areas that support production. "There should be an education program like medical device assembly to train people so they're ready to go," he said.
"The technology is here -- it goes back to the steel industry in Cleveland," Fujita continued. "It's a matter of transforming that talent to help the biotechnology industry."
Fujita also noted that communication between biotech companies and local suppliers would help form important connections. "Local suppliers may not realize that they can help us," he said.
Fujita started QED five years ago. The company, which manufactures MRI coils, has 75 employees and has partnerships with Toshiba and Siemens. QED has been recognized by Forbes and Inc. magazines as one of the country's fastest growing companies.
SOURCE: Hiroyuki Fujita
WRITER: Diane DiPiero
At the recent Summit on Leadership at the Union Club, which this reporter attended, Fujita talked about what's still needed to make Cleveland the undisputed leader in healthcare-related industries.
"Cleveland is very strong in biomedicine," said Fujito, who came here from Japan in 1992 to attend Case Western Reserve University. Where Cleveland needs to develop is in the technical areas that support production. "There should be an education program like medical device assembly to train people so they're ready to go," he said.
"The technology is here -- it goes back to the steel industry in Cleveland," Fujita continued. "It's a matter of transforming that talent to help the biotechnology industry."
Fujita also noted that communication between biotech companies and local suppliers would help form important connections. "Local suppliers may not realize that they can help us," he said.
Fujita started QED five years ago. The company, which manufactures MRI coils, has 75 employees and has partnerships with Toshiba and Siemens. QED has been recognized by Forbes and Inc. magazines as one of the country's fastest growing companies.
SOURCE: Hiroyuki Fujita
WRITER: Diane DiPiero
The Neighborhood Connections program provides small financial gifts to community organizations focused on enhancing neighborhoods and engaging residents. Recipients must connect residents in meaningful ways through grass roots projects. Though the grants are small -- from $500 to $5,000 -- they can make a huge difference in the destiny of a neighborhood and its citizens.
"Bioscience is one of the driving forces in Cleveland," said Baiju Shah, president and CEO of BioEnterprise. In case you need hard numbers to back up that claim, Shah noted that more than 600 healthcare related companies exist in the region.
Shah served as moderator for the 4th Annual Summit on Leadership, which was presented on March 10 by the Cleveland Business Leaders Committee of the Union Club.
What does Cleveland have that innovators in biomedicine and healthcare seek? According to Hiroyuki Fujita, founder, president and CEO of Quality Electrodynamics (QED), it's the established presence of top-notch healthcare, research and educational institutions. "Cleveland is known throughout the world in the healthcare industry," he said. "With major players like Cleveland Clinic, University Hospitals and Case Western Reserve University, it's a one-stop shop."
Backed by this level of support, entrepreneurs, inventors and researchers feel confident developing technologies and creating start-ups in Cleveland. "The surgeons at the Clinic take time to work with medical companies," said Patrick McBrayer, president and CEO of AxioMed Spine Corporation. "I have never seen a more nurturing group."
Gil Van Bokkelen, chairman and CEO of Athersys, Inc., agreed. "Cleveland is a good place to establish a company and get things started. There's a lot more energy here than I anticipated."
And there's potential for much greater growth in the next 10 to 15 years, according to Geoffrey Thorpe, founder of NDI Medical. "People are leaving California for the first time, which means there's an opportunity for the Midwest to be competitive."
Sources: Baiju Shah, Hiroyuki Fujita, Patrick McBrayer, Gil Van Bokkelen
Writer: Diane DiPiero
Shah served as moderator for the 4th Annual Summit on Leadership, which was presented on March 10 by the Cleveland Business Leaders Committee of the Union Club.
What does Cleveland have that innovators in biomedicine and healthcare seek? According to Hiroyuki Fujita, founder, president and CEO of Quality Electrodynamics (QED), it's the established presence of top-notch healthcare, research and educational institutions. "Cleveland is known throughout the world in the healthcare industry," he said. "With major players like Cleveland Clinic, University Hospitals and Case Western Reserve University, it's a one-stop shop."
Backed by this level of support, entrepreneurs, inventors and researchers feel confident developing technologies and creating start-ups in Cleveland. "The surgeons at the Clinic take time to work with medical companies," said Patrick McBrayer, president and CEO of AxioMed Spine Corporation. "I have never seen a more nurturing group."
Gil Van Bokkelen, chairman and CEO of Athersys, Inc., agreed. "Cleveland is a good place to establish a company and get things started. There's a lot more energy here than I anticipated."
And there's potential for much greater growth in the next 10 to 15 years, according to Geoffrey Thorpe, founder of NDI Medical. "People are leaving California for the first time, which means there's an opportunity for the Midwest to be competitive."
Sources: Baiju Shah, Hiroyuki Fujita, Patrick McBrayer, Gil Van Bokkelen
Writer: Diane DiPiero
Ever wonder who is responsible for the elements of a restaurant that guests don't eat? This engaging video offers a behind-the-scenes look at the artistic players who had a hand in designing Michael Symon's B Spot restaurant. Like Symon, these characters are all "CIA grads." But rather than attending the Culinary Institute of America, Scott Richardson, Paul Sobota and Alexander Lombardo graduated from the Cleveland Institute of Art. Thanks to Jeff Mancinetti for providing the video.
Homeowners were taking out equity loans with alarming abandon just a few years ago, yet now many are reluctant to invest money in their homes. "With housing values falling, demand for home repair loans has also fallen," says Larry Slenczka, Vice President of Community Development for Dollar Bank.
Yet Dollar Bank continues to finance home rehabs through a partnership with Cleveland Action to Support Housing (CASH), a nonprofit whose mission is to revitalize Cleveland neighborhoods through home repair lending.
"CASH has been successful in identifying projects driven by investors," says Slenczka. "Their transactions tend to be very solid loans that have a very low default rate." CASH offers investors and owner-occupants a reduced interest rate. Currently, that interest rate is 2.6%.
Even as the average homeowner sits on the sidelines, some rehabbers are jumping in and finding deals. And the glut of vacant properties in Cleveland has presented an opportunity for savvy investors; while foreclosure rates nationwide reached their lowest level in four years last month, Cleveland still has a backlog of empty homes.
Yet while it seems anyone with a credit card can snap up a cheap foreclosure -- plumbing optional, of course -- that's just the beginning of the process. Getting a loan is no simple feat. Struggling with unsold inventories, many banks are cautious about lending to investors, while others aren't lending at all.
That's where CASH comes in. The nonprofit's partnerships with Dollar Bank and other lenders help owners get financing. In addition to offering a reduced rate, CASH helps owners to pick a contractor, develop a list of repairs, and inspect the work.
"Everybody wins," says Slenczka. "The neighborhood benefits from reinvestment, the benefits from private investment, and the bank benefits from a healthy market return."
Source: Larry Slenczka
Writer: Lee Chilcote
Yet Dollar Bank continues to finance home rehabs through a partnership with Cleveland Action to Support Housing (CASH), a nonprofit whose mission is to revitalize Cleveland neighborhoods through home repair lending.
"CASH has been successful in identifying projects driven by investors," says Slenczka. "Their transactions tend to be very solid loans that have a very low default rate." CASH offers investors and owner-occupants a reduced interest rate. Currently, that interest rate is 2.6%.
Even as the average homeowner sits on the sidelines, some rehabbers are jumping in and finding deals. And the glut of vacant properties in Cleveland has presented an opportunity for savvy investors; while foreclosure rates nationwide reached their lowest level in four years last month, Cleveland still has a backlog of empty homes.
Yet while it seems anyone with a credit card can snap up a cheap foreclosure -- plumbing optional, of course -- that's just the beginning of the process. Getting a loan is no simple feat. Struggling with unsold inventories, many banks are cautious about lending to investors, while others aren't lending at all.
That's where CASH comes in. The nonprofit's partnerships with Dollar Bank and other lenders help owners get financing. In addition to offering a reduced rate, CASH helps owners to pick a contractor, develop a list of repairs, and inspect the work.
"Everybody wins," says Slenczka. "The neighborhood benefits from reinvestment, the benefits from private investment, and the bank benefits from a healthy market return."
Source: Larry Slenczka
Writer: Lee Chilcote
The Global Cardiovascular Innovation Center (GCIC) on the Cleveland Clinic campus has taken another step toward advancing cardiovascular technology with the addition of Irish medical device solutions provider Creganna-TactX. Specializing in the design of minimally invasive innovations, Creganna-TactX has opened its Cleveland office to support local medical device manufacturers while partnering with the Clinic to develop further advancements.
"Our key markets are in cardiovascular, periferovascular and neurovascular technologies," says Randall Sword, business development director for Creganna-TactX. "Our technologies are not readily available in the Cleveland area. Part of our mission is to support local businesses and hopefully grow a presence."
In addition to its headquarters in Galway, Ireland, Creganna-TactX has locations in Campbell, California; Marlborough, Massachusetts; Plymouth, Minnesota; and Singapore. The new Cleveland office "provides us access to the Clinic and their world-class physicians," Sword says. The Clinic's resources could offer input into development and manufacturing to benefit current customers while helping to evaluate new projects to meet future demands, according to Sword.
The Cleveland office will initially be staffed with one or two part-time employees. "We'd like to grow that as soon as possible," Sword says. "Our intention is to try to grow to a small lab that can work with the Clinic and their physicians and support local small businesses in development."
SOURCE: Randall Sword
WRITER: Diane DiPiero
"Our key markets are in cardiovascular, periferovascular and neurovascular technologies," says Randall Sword, business development director for Creganna-TactX. "Our technologies are not readily available in the Cleveland area. Part of our mission is to support local businesses and hopefully grow a presence."
In addition to its headquarters in Galway, Ireland, Creganna-TactX has locations in Campbell, California; Marlborough, Massachusetts; Plymouth, Minnesota; and Singapore. The new Cleveland office "provides us access to the Clinic and their world-class physicians," Sword says. The Clinic's resources could offer input into development and manufacturing to benefit current customers while helping to evaluate new projects to meet future demands, according to Sword.
The Cleveland office will initially be staffed with one or two part-time employees. "We'd like to grow that as soon as possible," Sword says. "Our intention is to try to grow to a small lab that can work with the Clinic and their physicians and support local small businesses in development."
SOURCE: Randall Sword
WRITER: Diane DiPiero
cle 'top 10 emerging fashion destination'
CheapFlights included Cleveland on its recent list of the World's "Top 10 Emerging Fashion Destinations."
"With the increase in cheap flights making different countries and cultures more accessible, the world evolves more fully into a globalised society with a lifestyle that takes influence from many different cultures. As such, it makes sense that fashion would influence travel and travel would influence fashion, putting new cultures top of mind and opening doors and minds to new looks and new locations," says Nadine Hallak, Travel Expert for CheapFlights.
The list notes Cleveland's own Fashion Week, established in 2002 by the Cleveland Fashion Institute, which takes place during the first week of May. The event features hot new designers from across the U.S. and includes runway shows as well as parties and lectures.
Sydney, Beirut, Johannesburg, and Toronto also made the CheapFlights fashion list.
Enjoy the entire line here.
"With the increase in cheap flights making different countries and cultures more accessible, the world evolves more fully into a globalised society with a lifestyle that takes influence from many different cultures. As such, it makes sense that fashion would influence travel and travel would influence fashion, putting new cultures top of mind and opening doors and minds to new looks and new locations," says Nadine Hallak, Travel Expert for CheapFlights.
The list notes Cleveland's own Fashion Week, established in 2002 by the Cleveland Fashion Institute, which takes place during the first week of May. The event features hot new designers from across the U.S. and includes runway shows as well as parties and lectures.
Sydney, Beirut, Johannesburg, and Toronto also made the CheapFlights fashion list.
Enjoy the entire line here.
As the saying goes, "you've got to spend money to make money." With a new $35 million award in tax credits from the U.S. Department of Treasury, Cleveland Development Advisors (CDA) plans to spur economic development in the city by financing projects that lead to more business opportunities.
CDA, an affiliate of the Greater Cleveland Partnership, was one of six entities in Ohio to be awarded this latest round of federal tax credits. CDA plans to use the award to focus on economic development in the areas of technology, business and industrial expansion and retail, residential and hospitality projects.
In a statement released by CDA, Mayor Frank Jackson called the federal tax credits another sign that Cleveland's economy is growing. "Tax credit financing, afforded by the allocation, together with local bank commitments and city investments, will make high-profile job-producing developments feasible in our neighborhoods and downtown," Mayor Jackson said.
Past awards from the Treasury Department resulted in the financing of 20 projects that, according to CDA, generated 2,800 jobs, 390,000 square feet of office space, and 450,000 square feet of industrial space in Cleveland. The East 4th Street neighborhood, Capitol Theatre in the Detroit Shoreway neighborhood, Arbor Park Plaza in the Central Neighborhood and the UpTown project in University Circle all have benefited from CDA's investment in federal tax credits.
SOURCE: CDA
WRITER: Diane DiPiero
CDA, an affiliate of the Greater Cleveland Partnership, was one of six entities in Ohio to be awarded this latest round of federal tax credits. CDA plans to use the award to focus on economic development in the areas of technology, business and industrial expansion and retail, residential and hospitality projects.
In a statement released by CDA, Mayor Frank Jackson called the federal tax credits another sign that Cleveland's economy is growing. "Tax credit financing, afforded by the allocation, together with local bank commitments and city investments, will make high-profile job-producing developments feasible in our neighborhoods and downtown," Mayor Jackson said.
Past awards from the Treasury Department resulted in the financing of 20 projects that, according to CDA, generated 2,800 jobs, 390,000 square feet of office space, and 450,000 square feet of industrial space in Cleveland. The East 4th Street neighborhood, Capitol Theatre in the Detroit Shoreway neighborhood, Arbor Park Plaza in the Central Neighborhood and the UpTown project in University Circle all have benefited from CDA's investment in federal tax credits.
SOURCE: CDA
WRITER: Diane DiPiero