Regional Economy
cleveland is laying out the 'welcome mat,' says the atlantic cities
"Thinking about moving? You should consider Cleveland."
So begins an article in The Atlantic Cities, which discusses recent investments totaling $7 billion in Cleveland's economic diversification, infrastructure and the arts.
Among projects mentioned are the $560 million makeover for University Hospitals Case Medical Center, $465 million convention center and medical mart, $350 million casino, and development in University Circle, including Uptown and the new Museum of Contemporary Art.
Also mentioned is Global Cleveland, which hopes to attract 100,000 new residents within the next ten years.
And the Ohio Department of Development just launched InvestOhio, a $100 million tax credit program to help small businesses attract investment, grow and create jobs.
Read the rest of the article here.
So begins an article in The Atlantic Cities, which discusses recent investments totaling $7 billion in Cleveland's economic diversification, infrastructure and the arts.
Among projects mentioned are the $560 million makeover for University Hospitals Case Medical Center, $465 million convention center and medical mart, $350 million casino, and development in University Circle, including Uptown and the new Museum of Contemporary Art.
Also mentioned is Global Cleveland, which hopes to attract 100,000 new residents within the next ten years.
And the Ohio Department of Development just launched InvestOhio, a $100 million tax credit program to help small businesses attract investment, grow and create jobs.
Read the rest of the article here.
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
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.
NorTech is accepting nominations for its 11th annual innovation awards, which highlight breakthrough technologies and innovations in Northeast Ohio.
“The innovation awards recognize those businesses and individuals and leaders who have created jobs and attracted capital to the region,” says NorTech president and CEO Rebecca Bagley. “The bottom line is recognizing companies that have had a positive economic impact.”
NorTech has held the competition since 2000, and this is the fourth year they have partnered with Crain’s Cleveland Business to identify businesses that have had both a positive economic impact and a social impact. “It’s pretty competitive,” says Bagley. “Last year we had 40 nominations.”
Entries are judged in one of five areas: advanced energy; advanced materials; biomedical, flexible electronics; and instrumentation, control and electronics. Within those areas, judges look at creativity, feasibility, collaboration and triple bottom line Impact -- social, economic and environmental.
Judges are selected from the wide geographic area that NorTech represents, and are leaders in a variety of industries, universities and economic development. “We try to mix it up,” says Bagley. “We make sure the judges are representative and a strong balance of people.”
The deadline for nominations is 1 p.m. on November 11. Individuals and businesses can nominate themselves. The nomination packet can be found on NorTech’s website.
“It’s important and exciting to be able to highlight all of the things that are happening here in the region,” says Bagley. “It gives people the sense of momentum as we go through an economic shift.”
Source: Rebecca Bagley
Writer: Karin Connelly
“The innovation awards recognize those businesses and individuals and leaders who have created jobs and attracted capital to the region,” says NorTech president and CEO Rebecca Bagley. “The bottom line is recognizing companies that have had a positive economic impact.”
NorTech has held the competition since 2000, and this is the fourth year they have partnered with Crain’s Cleveland Business to identify businesses that have had both a positive economic impact and a social impact. “It’s pretty competitive,” says Bagley. “Last year we had 40 nominations.”
Entries are judged in one of five areas: advanced energy; advanced materials; biomedical, flexible electronics; and instrumentation, control and electronics. Within those areas, judges look at creativity, feasibility, collaboration and triple bottom line Impact -- social, economic and environmental.
Judges are selected from the wide geographic area that NorTech represents, and are leaders in a variety of industries, universities and economic development. “We try to mix it up,” says Bagley. “We make sure the judges are representative and a strong balance of people.”
The deadline for nominations is 1 p.m. on November 11. Individuals and businesses can nominate themselves. The nomination packet can be found on NorTech’s website.
“It’s important and exciting to be able to highlight all of the things that are happening here in the region,” says Bagley. “It gives people the sense of momentum as we go through an economic shift.”
Source: Rebecca Bagley
Writer: Karin Connelly
Tremont Electric is developing a new energy source with its recently patented nPower Wave Energy Converter (WEC). The four-year-old Cleveland company made a huge splash with its nPower PEG, a pint-size power plant that allows people to charge their hand-held devices while walking, running or biking. Their new product uses the waves of Lake Erie -- and ultimately larger bodies of water -- to generate commercial-scale electricity.
“We put it in something like a buoy and it rides the waves and is able to convert the waves to electric power,” explains Tremont Electric inventor, founder, and CEO Aaron LeMieux.
While other energy companies are exploring wave energy around the world, LeMieux says Lake Erie provides a great testing ground. “We can do the same thing here, but we can do it much more quickly because we can do it in a small boat versus a 200-foot research vessel,” he says. “The wave profile in Lake Erie -- higher frequency waves -- means faster test results.”
Roughly the size of an automobile, the nPower WEC is poised to help reinvent the manufacturing base of the Midwest into the clean energy job creator of the future.
"Our vision is to put Northeast Ohio at the top of the new clean energy economy," says LeMieux. “This is a brand new industry. It could be compared to the automobile industry.”
LeMieux says that jobs could be created across the board in manufacturing within the next two years as Tremont Electric secures funding and further develops the converter.
Source: Aaron LeMieux
Writer: Karin Connelly
“We put it in something like a buoy and it rides the waves and is able to convert the waves to electric power,” explains Tremont Electric inventor, founder, and CEO Aaron LeMieux.
While other energy companies are exploring wave energy around the world, LeMieux says Lake Erie provides a great testing ground. “We can do the same thing here, but we can do it much more quickly because we can do it in a small boat versus a 200-foot research vessel,” he says. “The wave profile in Lake Erie -- higher frequency waves -- means faster test results.”
Roughly the size of an automobile, the nPower WEC is poised to help reinvent the manufacturing base of the Midwest into the clean energy job creator of the future.
"Our vision is to put Northeast Ohio at the top of the new clean energy economy," says LeMieux. “This is a brand new industry. It could be compared to the automobile industry.”
LeMieux says that jobs could be created across the board in manufacturing within the next two years as Tremont Electric secures funding and further develops the converter.
Source: Aaron LeMieux
Writer: Karin Connelly
Cleveland State University is part of an economic impact study of shale in Ohio and its potential to give a big boost to the state’s economy. Ohio State and Marietta College are also participating in the study, commissioned by the Ohio Chamber of Commerce on behalf of the Ohio Shale Coalition.
The study focuses on the economic impact of drilling for gas and oil in the Utica Point Pleasant and Marcellus shale formations that run along the eastern half of the state. “It would be a nice change for Ohio to be making money in gas and oil instead of losing it,” says Andrew Thomas, executive in residence in the Energy Policy Center at CSU’s Maxine Goodman Levin College of Urban Affairs.
The group does not yet have concrete numbers on the oil and gas potential, but should have them by next year. But they do know that the natural resource could have a significant positive impact on a variety of industries in the area, from the steel and construction companies to manufacturers and associated businesses.
This study could improve industry across the board if the potential in shale proves to be what speculators believe it to be. “The big benefit and early benefit will be with the land owners,” says Thomas. “We’ve been exporting money out of the state for a long time. It would change the economy of Ohio.”
Source: Andrew Thomas
Writer: Karin Connelly
The study focuses on the economic impact of drilling for gas and oil in the Utica Point Pleasant and Marcellus shale formations that run along the eastern half of the state. “It would be a nice change for Ohio to be making money in gas and oil instead of losing it,” says Andrew Thomas, executive in residence in the Energy Policy Center at CSU’s Maxine Goodman Levin College of Urban Affairs.
The group does not yet have concrete numbers on the oil and gas potential, but should have them by next year. But they do know that the natural resource could have a significant positive impact on a variety of industries in the area, from the steel and construction companies to manufacturers and associated businesses.
This study could improve industry across the board if the potential in shale proves to be what speculators believe it to be. “The big benefit and early benefit will be with the land owners,” says Thomas. “We’ve been exporting money out of the state for a long time. It would change the economy of Ohio.”
Source: Andrew Thomas
Writer: Karin Connelly
LineStream Technologies is growing by leaps and bounds in the automated software control market. The company was created in 2008 as a spinoff out of research done by CSU’s Zhiqiang Gao, director of the Center for Advanced Control Technologies and focuses on commercializing and simplifying control software.
Basically, LineStream products increase efficiency, are easy to implement, and therefore improve the performance of automated systems.
“Any product using a motor, we look to improve energy efficiency and life of that motor,” explains David Neundorfer, LineStream president. “We simplify the design process and lop off weeks of [development].”
The company is getting attention from some of the major players in the automation industry. They just licensed their software to Texas Instruments. “We’re going to be putting software in a chip platform in motor and motion controls,” explains Neundorfer.
The deal adds to the company’s rapid growth. “It’s very exciting and a large deal for us,” says Neundorfer. “Some of the larger companies in the industrial space are interested in our technology.”
LineStream has grown to five employees this year, expects to be at eight to 10 by the end of the year, and double in size again next year. “We’re hiring and ramping up to establish a relationship with Texas Instruments.”
Source: David Neundorfer
Writer: Karin Connelly
Basically, LineStream products increase efficiency, are easy to implement, and therefore improve the performance of automated systems.
“Any product using a motor, we look to improve energy efficiency and life of that motor,” explains David Neundorfer, LineStream president. “We simplify the design process and lop off weeks of [development].”
The company is getting attention from some of the major players in the automation industry. They just licensed their software to Texas Instruments. “We’re going to be putting software in a chip platform in motor and motion controls,” explains Neundorfer.
The deal adds to the company’s rapid growth. “It’s very exciting and a large deal for us,” says Neundorfer. “Some of the larger companies in the industrial space are interested in our technology.”
LineStream has grown to five employees this year, expects to be at eight to 10 by the end of the year, and double in size again next year. “We’re hiring and ramping up to establish a relationship with Texas Instruments.”
Source: David Neundorfer
Writer: Karin Connelly
The ninth annual Green Energy Ohio Tour, held last weekend at 260 businesses and homes across the state, featured more than 160 solar, wind and green energy projects in Northeast Ohio. Yet while education was the tour's primary goal, it also communicated a critical, attention-grabbing memo to policymakers: this fast-growing industry is driving development and job creation in Ohio.
"With some of our legislators currently doubting the value of renewable energy, our tour sent a very strong message," says Bill Spratley, Executive Director of Green Energy Ohio. "The green energy industry is about creating jobs, and that seems to be one thing that resonates with this administration."
The renewable energy, energy efficiency and green design projects on the tour created or retained more than 2,000 jobs, according to the Ohio Energy Resources Division. In the first quarter of 2011, Ohio was also ranked number two among U.S. states in solar panel and wind turbine parts production.
Spratley says that large projects such as Lincoln Electric's wind turbine, as well as the growing number of homes and commercial businesses using solar panels to slash their energy bills, reveal an industry that's finally gaining traction.
"People now understand green energy, and they're going from 'curious' to 'serious,'" says Spratley. "We see people taking notes, particularly at solar homes, and then a year or two later I'll see them with their own solar homes."
Spratley added that Cleveland has "really stepped up" since the American Solar Energy Society brought its national conference -- and 5,000 people -- here in 2006. "People were very impressed with the enthusiasm in Cleveland," he says. "Now we have solar panels on Progressive Field, the Great Lakes Science Center, the Cleveland Musem of Art and many other locations."
Among the many Northeast Ohio projects featured on the 2011 tour were the Lincoln Electric wind turbine, Rockefeller Park Solar Demonstration, PNC SmartHome and Joseph McCullough Building at the Cleveland Institute of Art.
Source: Bill Spratley
Writer: Lee Chilcote
"With some of our legislators currently doubting the value of renewable energy, our tour sent a very strong message," says Bill Spratley, Executive Director of Green Energy Ohio. "The green energy industry is about creating jobs, and that seems to be one thing that resonates with this administration."
The renewable energy, energy efficiency and green design projects on the tour created or retained more than 2,000 jobs, according to the Ohio Energy Resources Division. In the first quarter of 2011, Ohio was also ranked number two among U.S. states in solar panel and wind turbine parts production.
Spratley says that large projects such as Lincoln Electric's wind turbine, as well as the growing number of homes and commercial businesses using solar panels to slash their energy bills, reveal an industry that's finally gaining traction.
"People now understand green energy, and they're going from 'curious' to 'serious,'" says Spratley. "We see people taking notes, particularly at solar homes, and then a year or two later I'll see them with their own solar homes."
Spratley added that Cleveland has "really stepped up" since the American Solar Energy Society brought its national conference -- and 5,000 people -- here in 2006. "People were very impressed with the enthusiasm in Cleveland," he says. "Now we have solar panels on Progressive Field, the Great Lakes Science Center, the Cleveland Musem of Art and many other locations."
Among the many Northeast Ohio projects featured on the 2011 tour were the Lincoln Electric wind turbine, Rockefeller Park Solar Demonstration, PNC SmartHome and Joseph McCullough Building at the Cleveland Institute of Art.
Source: Bill Spratley
Writer: Lee Chilcote
freshwater wind farm snags $500k grant from uncle sam
The push to plant the nation's first freshwater wind farm just offshore from Cleveland has just received some financial assistance from The Department of Energy. The grant is part of a $43 million package intended to speed technical innovations, lower costs, and shorten the timelines for wind energy deployment.
Freshwater Wind, a private Cleveland-based developer selected by Lake Erie Energy Development Corporation (LEEDCo) to build the initial 20-30 megawatt offshore wind project, is the recipient.
“This award from the DOE validates the work done thus far by LEEDCo and Freshwater Wind and confirms the Lake Erie project is the farthest advanced project in the Great Lakes. Our next step is to gain policy backing from Ohio that will ensure Ohio remains in a leadership position,” says Chris Wissemann, Managing Director at Freshwater Wind.
Read the rest of the good news here.
Freshwater Wind, a private Cleveland-based developer selected by Lake Erie Energy Development Corporation (LEEDCo) to build the initial 20-30 megawatt offshore wind project, is the recipient.
“This award from the DOE validates the work done thus far by LEEDCo and Freshwater Wind and confirms the Lake Erie project is the farthest advanced project in the Great Lakes. Our next step is to gain policy backing from Ohio that will ensure Ohio remains in a leadership position,” says Chris Wissemann, Managing Director at Freshwater Wind.
Read the rest of the good news here.
mayor jackson: 'build freshwater wind farm'
"Greater Cleveland has the potential to become the national leader in the growing renewable energy economy," Mayor Frank Jackson writes in a Plain Dealer editorial.
Jackson says that Cleveland must do what it takes to bring about LEEDCo's goal of planting a 20-megawatt wind energy pilot project seven miles offshore from downtown. More than just an overblown science experiment, the project will be the country's first freshwater wind farm, creating approximately 600 initial jobs and the potential for 8,000 long-term wind-energy jobs.
Calling on all private and public sector parties to set aside short-term interests in favor of long-term benefits, Jackson says, "If we don't take advantage of this opportunity, someone else will. Some other city will build the first offshore wind farm. Some other region will create thousands of new green-collar jobs."
Read the Mayor's impassioned appeal here.
Jackson says that Cleveland must do what it takes to bring about LEEDCo's goal of planting a 20-megawatt wind energy pilot project seven miles offshore from downtown. More than just an overblown science experiment, the project will be the country's first freshwater wind farm, creating approximately 600 initial jobs and the potential for 8,000 long-term wind-energy jobs.
Calling on all private and public sector parties to set aside short-term interests in favor of long-term benefits, Jackson says, "If we don't take advantage of this opportunity, someone else will. Some other city will build the first offshore wind farm. Some other region will create thousands of new green-collar jobs."
Read the Mayor's impassioned appeal here.
NorTech is helping to harness the alternative energy business and translate it into big business in Northeast Ohio. The Advanced Energy B2B Conference and Expo at the John S. Knight Center in Akron on September 14 and 15 will bring together the major energy players to network, educate and discuss the future of advanced energy.
"We will take a look at where we're heading and how we can beat the rest of the country," says Dave Krapinski, NorTech vice president. "The whole driving force is to provide a rich forum to come together and form collaborations."
The event will cover the major sectors of advanced energy including, biomass/waste-to-energy, energy storage, fuel cells, nuclear, smart grid, solar photovoltaic, transportation electrification and wind energy. The conference is 80 percent filled, with 75 companies signed up to exhibit. Half of the conference time will be dedicated to talks on a variety of energy-related topics, while the other half will focus on building relationships.
The bottom line is advanced energy can lead to jobs in a wide range of sectors. "The exciting part about advanced energy is certainly jobs for scientists, but also jobs in traditional manufacturing, sales, construction jobs -- just a broad range of jobs beyond white coats," says Krapinski.
The point of the conference is to pull together and learn from each other's successes. "Advanced energy is a hot topic everywhere," says Krapinski. "We can accomplish more if we work together. A lot of people don't realize what's going on. We want to generate a lot of excitement."
Source: Dave Krapinski
Writer: Karin Connelly
magnet program to train and place 50 veterans by year's end in manufacturing jobs
The Manufacturing Advocacy and Growth Network (MAGNET) is launching a pilot project that matches returning veterans with specific training for key manufacturing jobs available in Northeast Ohio such as machinists, inspection/quality technicians and equipment maintenance personnel.
"Even in this recession there are so many manufacturing jobs that are going unfilled," says Mary Ann Pacelli, project manager for MAGNET. "There's a need for training and people who have an aptitude on the technical side. People may not realize the technical skills learned in the military transfer into manufacturing."
Enthusiasm for the program has been high. "Companies are very interested because they have jobs that have to be filled, and it provides a sense of community spirit," says Pacelli. "Employers are willing to commit."
The project has been two years in the making. MAGNET will be meeting with interested companies through August, and will begin assessing veterans in late August. Pacelli says they plan to have eight to 12 veterans placed by September. "We set a minimum goal to assess at least 100 veterans," she says. "At least 50 will be in some sort of job by the end of the year."
Funding for employers is available through the Ohio Department of Jobs and Family Services. "Companies that are willing to hire and do on-the-job training are eligible for some funding for salaries and training," says Pacelli. "The work behavior piece has already been taken care of by the military. The training may take some time, but it's worth it."
Source: Mary Ann Pacelli
Writer: Karin Connelly
"Even in this recession there are so many manufacturing jobs that are going unfilled," says Mary Ann Pacelli, project manager for MAGNET. "There's a need for training and people who have an aptitude on the technical side. People may not realize the technical skills learned in the military transfer into manufacturing."
Enthusiasm for the program has been high. "Companies are very interested because they have jobs that have to be filled, and it provides a sense of community spirit," says Pacelli. "Employers are willing to commit."
The project has been two years in the making. MAGNET will be meeting with interested companies through August, and will begin assessing veterans in late August. Pacelli says they plan to have eight to 12 veterans placed by September. "We set a minimum goal to assess at least 100 veterans," she says. "At least 50 will be in some sort of job by the end of the year."
Funding for employers is available through the Ohio Department of Jobs and Family Services. "Companies that are willing to hire and do on-the-job training are eligible for some funding for salaries and training," says Pacelli. "The work behavior piece has already been taken care of by the military. The training may take some time, but it's worth it."
Source: Mary Ann Pacelli
Writer: Karin Connelly
Community leaders want to harness the wind in Cleveland. The future of wind turbines is here, with the recent arrivals of turbines at Lincoln Electric and Olympic Steel. And more are on the way. This industry is why GLWN is hosting a two-day summit, Making it Here: Building Our Next Generation Supply Chain. GLWN is an international supply chain advisory group and network of manufacturers. Their mission is to increase the domestic content of North America's wind turbines.
The summit will cover the biggest issues in supply chain challenges when it comes to bringing turbine manufacturing to the region. "The conference deals with some of the biggest issues: technology, business development and political issues," says Ed Weston, director of GLWN in Cleveland. "With the heavy concentration of supply chains in the region and access to Lake Erie, Northeast Ohio is an ideal location for wind turbine factories."
Cleveland historically has been a leader in harnessing the wind. In fact, Charles Brush built the first automatically operated wind turbine for electric production in 1888. He used the turbine to power his house on 38th Street and St. Clair Avenue.
"Nearly 100 years later, the industry was commercialized in Cleveland with government-subsidized programs," says Weston. "In the late 1970s and early 1980s NASA was building turbines that were larger than anything we see today. Then wind turbines went out of vogue in America because the government lost interest."
While the industry was exported to Europe in the 1980s, Weston is optimistic he can bring it back to Cleveland. "The challenge is we're competing with companies that have been making parts for many years, so they have an advantage on us," he says. "But ur advantage is most of the parts are very big and don't travel well. With a turbine OEM and a busy supply chain, the number of jobs created would be in the thousands."
Source: Ed Weston
Writer: Karin Connelly
time-lapse video builds massive wind turbine in seconds
In the making-it-look-easy category, this inspiring video condenses the monumental task of building Ohio's largest wind turbine into one scant minute. In reality, it took approximately three months for the turbine to go up, though it won't be fully operational for some time.
At over 440 feet tall at blade tip, the 2.5 MW turbine is not only the largest in the state, it is one of the largest in the nation. For comparison, the turbine at Great Lakes Science Center is one-third the size.
At over 440 feet tall at blade tip, the 2.5 MW turbine is not only the largest in the state, it is one of the largest in the nation. For comparison, the turbine at Great Lakes Science Center is one-third the size.
Forget Cupertino. Hello, Cleveland!
In an article penned by Aaron Glantz, the San Francisco-based Bay Citizen reported that "rust-belt cities of Pittsburgh, Cleveland and St. Louis are all drawing a higher proportion of highly skilled immigrants than Silicon Valley." The numbers were announced in a recent Brookings Institution study of census data.
In that study, the Brookings' Matthew Hall points to efforts by cities such as Cleveland and Pittsburgh to recruit and welcome foreign workers to town in an attempt to rejuvenate the economy. Also of great importance is the cost-of-living disparity.
"Pittsburgh is an easier place to afford to live the American dream and get your foot in the door," Hall said. "That might sound like a pretty good option to a lot of people."
And perhaps contrary to popular opinion, highly skilled immigrants now outnumber lower-skilled ones in the United States, the report found. They found that 30 percent of the country's working-age immigrants, regardless of legal status, have at least a bachelor's degree. Only 28 percent lack a high school diploma.
Read the entire article here.
In that study, the Brookings' Matthew Hall points to efforts by cities such as Cleveland and Pittsburgh to recruit and welcome foreign workers to town in an attempt to rejuvenate the economy. Also of great importance is the cost-of-living disparity.
"Pittsburgh is an easier place to afford to live the American dream and get your foot in the door," Hall said. "That might sound like a pretty good option to a lot of people."
And perhaps contrary to popular opinion, highly skilled immigrants now outnumber lower-skilled ones in the United States, the report found. They found that 30 percent of the country's working-age immigrants, regardless of legal status, have at least a bachelor's degree. Only 28 percent lack a high school diploma.
Read the entire article here.
With the goal of creating a 20-megawatt wind energy pilot project seven miles offshore from downtown Cleveland, LEEDCo is well on its way to unveiling the first freshwater wind farm in North America. If all goes as planned, this project will lead to additional turbines generating 1,000 MWs of wind energy by 2020. Writer Patrick Mahoney had an opportunity to "shoot the breeze" with LEEDCo president Dr. Lorry Wagner, the driving force behind the project.
clusters like neo's 'eds and meds' hold key to economic future, says usa today
In an article titled "To get jobs, areas develop industry hubs in emerging fields," USA Today writer Paul Davidson singles out Northeast Ohio as a region combating the loss of traditional factory jobs by developing industry clusters.
Clusters are groupings of manufacturers, suppliers, training programs and researchers.
"Cluster theory holds that manufacturers and suppliers often want to be in proximity to collaborate on product design. Companies want to be near universities to benefit from the latest innovations. And bigger clusters attract still more companies that seek access to a large pool of skilled workers."
Supported by Ohio's Third Frontier and other initiatives, Northeast Ohio's hub of medical, pharmaceutical and bioscience continues to flourish. Since 2001, the number of biomedical firms has more than doubled to 600, and VC investments have increased to $150 million a year compared to just $30 million.
Now on its way, the $465 million Cleveland Medical Mart & Convention Center will be the world's first marketplace for medical industry buyers and sellers.
Read the whole report here.
Clusters are groupings of manufacturers, suppliers, training programs and researchers.
"Cluster theory holds that manufacturers and suppliers often want to be in proximity to collaborate on product design. Companies want to be near universities to benefit from the latest innovations. And bigger clusters attract still more companies that seek access to a large pool of skilled workers."
Supported by Ohio's Third Frontier and other initiatives, Northeast Ohio's hub of medical, pharmaceutical and bioscience continues to flourish. Since 2001, the number of biomedical firms has more than doubled to 600, and VC investments have increased to $150 million a year compared to just $30 million.
Now on its way, the $465 million Cleveland Medical Mart & Convention Center will be the world's first marketplace for medical industry buyers and sellers.
Read the whole report here.
Earlier this year, construction began for the new Medical Mart and Convention Center, a project that has received a lukewarm response from skeptical taxpayers. Working hard to prove them wrong is Tony Prusak, who as Director of Convention Sales is tasked with booking events. As a lifelong Clevelander, Prusak is driven by a desire to improve Cleveland's economic future. How? By "selling more cheeseburgers."
brookings says cleveland faring better than other large metros
In a recently released report titled "How We're Doing: An Uneven Recovery at Home and Abroad," the Brookings Institution boils down the current state of recovery thusly:
"The U.S. economy as a whole is recovering, but that recovery is not broadly shared -- at home or abroad."
Continuing, the reports says that key indicators suggest that the economic recovery in the United States continues to move forward. Output is rising, credit conditions are thawing and firms are hiring.
But the degree at which the recovery is taking place depends on where one resides. And, perhaps surprisingly, it is metropolitan areas hardest hit by the recession, like Cleveland, that are faring the best.
"The differences in the speed of recovery have been striking. Areas heavily linked to the auto industry, such as Cleveland and Detroit, have benefited from the resurgence of manufacturing activity since 2009. On average, the unemployment rates of these urban economies have fallen two percentage points in the past year - double the national decline. Conversely, metro areas that were hit hard because of their exposure to the housing bust, such as Las Vegas and Tampa, have been slow to recover, with their housing markets still facing significant structural problems. Unemployment rates in many of the areas hurt by the housing bust are little changed from a year ago."
Study the rest of the data here.
"The U.S. economy as a whole is recovering, but that recovery is not broadly shared -- at home or abroad."
Continuing, the reports says that key indicators suggest that the economic recovery in the United States continues to move forward. Output is rising, credit conditions are thawing and firms are hiring.
But the degree at which the recovery is taking place depends on where one resides. And, perhaps surprisingly, it is metropolitan areas hardest hit by the recession, like Cleveland, that are faring the best.
"The differences in the speed of recovery have been striking. Areas heavily linked to the auto industry, such as Cleveland and Detroit, have benefited from the resurgence of manufacturing activity since 2009. On average, the unemployment rates of these urban economies have fallen two percentage points in the past year - double the national decline. Conversely, metro areas that were hit hard because of their exposure to the housing bust, such as Las Vegas and Tampa, have been slow to recover, with their housing markets still facing significant structural problems. Unemployment rates in many of the areas hurt by the housing bust are little changed from a year ago."
Study the rest of the data here.
As president and CEO of NorTech, a nonprofit technology-based economic development organization serving 21 counties in Northeast Ohio, Rebecca Bagley is always looking for ways for her Cleveland-based company to be more competitive regionally and nationally. Her recent appointment to the U.S. Department of Commerce Innovation Advisory Board by commerce secretary Gary Locke will further her mission.
Bagley and 14 other board members will conduct a study of U.S. economic competitiveness and innovation. The study will help form national policies at the heart of U.S. job creation, competitiveness and global strength. "The idea is to do a study on how the United States can be more globally competitive," says Bagley. "It's obviously very exciting to be a part of this advisory board and the study."
Nominated by NorTech board chair Tim Reynolds, Bagley sees her background in finance, as well as her leadership at NorTech, as the reasons for her appointment. Before joining the company she worked in the private sector in investment banking and as deputy secretary for the Technology Investment Office of the Pennsylvania Department of Community and Economic Development (DCED).
Bagley is a nationally-recognized expert in technology-based economic development. She brings that same expertise to the region in developing Northeast Ohio's technology initiatives. "We've been working in the region to increase Northeast Ohio's competiveness," she says. "For NorTech this raises visibility of the region and validates the work being done here."
The board's first meeting is in Arlington, VA in June. They will meet every three months.
Source: Rebecca Bagley
Writer: Karin Connelly
Bagley and 14 other board members will conduct a study of U.S. economic competitiveness and innovation. The study will help form national policies at the heart of U.S. job creation, competitiveness and global strength. "The idea is to do a study on how the United States can be more globally competitive," says Bagley. "It's obviously very exciting to be a part of this advisory board and the study."
Nominated by NorTech board chair Tim Reynolds, Bagley sees her background in finance, as well as her leadership at NorTech, as the reasons for her appointment. Before joining the company she worked in the private sector in investment banking and as deputy secretary for the Technology Investment Office of the Pennsylvania Department of Community and Economic Development (DCED).
Bagley is a nationally-recognized expert in technology-based economic development. She brings that same expertise to the region in developing Northeast Ohio's technology initiatives. "We've been working in the region to increase Northeast Ohio's competiveness," she says. "For NorTech this raises visibility of the region and validates the work being done here."
The board's first meeting is in Arlington, VA in June. They will meet every three months.
Source: Rebecca Bagley
Writer: Karin Connelly