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When sculptor John Ranally set up his live/work space in a two-story building at W. 30th and Lorain Avenue, back in 1981, he was among the first wave of urban pioneers to redevelop Ohio City.
Working with his neighbors, he fought abandoned storefronts, crime and a perception that the neighborhood was going downhill. "Things couldn't get any worse than it was then," he says. "and part of the reason why you're seeing redevelopment on Lorain now is because of the people that people stayed."
Today, Ranally's home and studio are nestled amongst the St. Ignatius High School campus. The school's commitment to Ohio City and Lorain Avenue are one of the reasons the street is beginning to see a renaissance, he says.
Yet their relationship wasn't always so cozy. In the 1970s and 1980s, when the Jesuit academy tore down blocks of dilapidated buildings to expand its campus and create a buffer from blight, Ranally found himself in the thick of a vitriolic neighborhood dispute. He even displayed a sign on his building that asked, "St. Ignatius, why are you tearing our buildings down?"
Today, Ranally says that St. Ignatius has made amends by beautifying and stabilizing the neighborhood, providing outreach programs for youth, and constructing buildings like the Breen Performing Arts Center. "We were at odds then, but if it weren't for St. Ignatius, things would be much tougher here," he says.
This summer, St. Ignatius plans to renovate the publicly accessible "mall" that provides a walkway from Lorain to Carroll Avenue for the first time in 30 years. Improvement plans include upgraded lighting, drainage and landscaping.
"Thirty years ago, the City of Cleveland allowed us to close W. 30th Street in order to create the mall, which we consider our campus' central hallway," says Father William Murphy, President of St. Ignatius. "It's always been open to the public. We're very interested in and committed to the vibrancy of Lorain Avenue and Ohio City."
Murphy cites the completion of the Breen Center as an example of new development that fits into Lorain Avenue's context. "We made a deliberate decision to put the building right on the street," he says. "We want it to feel like a high-density area."
Source: John Ranally, Father William Murphy
Writer: Lee Chilcote
Working with his neighbors, he fought abandoned storefronts, crime and a perception that the neighborhood was going downhill. "Things couldn't get any worse than it was then," he says. "and part of the reason why you're seeing redevelopment on Lorain now is because of the people that people stayed."
Today, Ranally's home and studio are nestled amongst the St. Ignatius High School campus. The school's commitment to Ohio City and Lorain Avenue are one of the reasons the street is beginning to see a renaissance, he says.
Yet their relationship wasn't always so cozy. In the 1970s and 1980s, when the Jesuit academy tore down blocks of dilapidated buildings to expand its campus and create a buffer from blight, Ranally found himself in the thick of a vitriolic neighborhood dispute. He even displayed a sign on his building that asked, "St. Ignatius, why are you tearing our buildings down?"
Today, Ranally says that St. Ignatius has made amends by beautifying and stabilizing the neighborhood, providing outreach programs for youth, and constructing buildings like the Breen Performing Arts Center. "We were at odds then, but if it weren't for St. Ignatius, things would be much tougher here," he says.
This summer, St. Ignatius plans to renovate the publicly accessible "mall" that provides a walkway from Lorain to Carroll Avenue for the first time in 30 years. Improvement plans include upgraded lighting, drainage and landscaping.
"Thirty years ago, the City of Cleveland allowed us to close W. 30th Street in order to create the mall, which we consider our campus' central hallway," says Father William Murphy, President of St. Ignatius. "It's always been open to the public. We're very interested in and committed to the vibrancy of Lorain Avenue and Ohio City."
Murphy cites the completion of the Breen Center as an example of new development that fits into Lorain Avenue's context. "We made a deliberate decision to put the building right on the street," he says. "We want it to feel like a high-density area."
Source: John Ranally, Father William Murphy
Writer: Lee Chilcote
Cleveland-area SPR Therapeutics is tackling the chronic pain market with its Smartpatch technology. The Smartpatch external stimulator delivers an electrical signal to an electrode placed in the muscle. The electrical signals stimulate the target nerve within the muscle, thereby exercising the muscle to treat the pain. The Smartpatch system will serve the $150 billion pain market, in particular those suffering shoulder pain from strokes, as well as chronic lower back pain.
"It's a very simple short-term therapy that can eliminate chronic pain," says Maria Bennett, president and CEO of SPR. "It can be administered by a surgeon or non-surgeon, has no side effects and is completely reversible."
The company, which was founded in January 2010, is a spinoff of NDI Medical, which developed the technology and licensed it SPR. JumpStart Ventures announced last week that it will invest $250,000 in SPR Therapeutics to help bring the technology to market later this year or in early 2012.
"JumpStart's investment really allows us to complete the commercialization," says Bennett. "It helps us get to market, be prepared with all the pieces and parts so we can really hit the ground running."
Meant for use up to 30 days, Smartpatch has also demonstrated long-term pain relief. The company's series of clinical feasibility studies demonstrated that, at the end of the short-term therapy, 84 percent of patients experienced a significant reduction in pain and 40 percent were pain free. After completing the Smartpatch therapy, 78 percent of these patients continued to have significant pain relief.
Source: Maria Bennett
Writer: Karin Connelly
"It's a very simple short-term therapy that can eliminate chronic pain," says Maria Bennett, president and CEO of SPR. "It can be administered by a surgeon or non-surgeon, has no side effects and is completely reversible."
The company, which was founded in January 2010, is a spinoff of NDI Medical, which developed the technology and licensed it SPR. JumpStart Ventures announced last week that it will invest $250,000 in SPR Therapeutics to help bring the technology to market later this year or in early 2012.
"JumpStart's investment really allows us to complete the commercialization," says Bennett. "It helps us get to market, be prepared with all the pieces and parts so we can really hit the ground running."
Meant for use up to 30 days, Smartpatch has also demonstrated long-term pain relief. The company's series of clinical feasibility studies demonstrated that, at the end of the short-term therapy, 84 percent of patients experienced a significant reduction in pain and 40 percent were pain free. After completing the Smartpatch therapy, 78 percent of these patients continued to have significant pain relief.
Source: Maria Bennett
Writer: Karin Connelly
Kionte Watkins began riding the RTA HealthLine bus rapid transit to work about a month ago to save money on gas. On Friday, April 29, she received more than just a little savings at the pump from RTA when she became the HealthLine's 10 millionth rider.
As number 10,000,000 Watkins received a free one-year pass. "I was just about to buy a weekly pass after work," says Watkins. "It was very exciting. It just topped off my week."
Watkins also received tickets to the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame, a family pass to the Cleveland MetroParks Zoo, and gift cards to area restaurants. Other riders that morning received free one-week passes.
Watkins, 26, is an outreach specialist for the Empowerment Center on Euclid Avenue and E. 30th Street. She rides the #35 to Public Square and then transfers to the HealthLine. The HealthLine, which runs up and down Euclid Avenue between Public Square, University Circle and East Cleveland, has been increasingly popular since it was introduced in October 2008.
"Especially with gas prices rising, it's a good time to find an economic option for getting to work and play," says RTA spokesperson Mary McCahon. "The HealthLine has been growing fast and exceeding expectations. Ten million is a big number in two-and-a-half years."
The 10 millionth-rider event was held to thank RTA customers for their loyalty and support. RTA general manager Joe Calabrese presented Watkins with an oversized fare pass, as well as the other riders with their free weekly fare passes.
Source: Kionte Watkins
Writer: Karin Connelly
As number 10,000,000 Watkins received a free one-year pass. "I was just about to buy a weekly pass after work," says Watkins. "It was very exciting. It just topped off my week."
Watkins also received tickets to the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame, a family pass to the Cleveland MetroParks Zoo, and gift cards to area restaurants. Other riders that morning received free one-week passes.
Watkins, 26, is an outreach specialist for the Empowerment Center on Euclid Avenue and E. 30th Street. She rides the #35 to Public Square and then transfers to the HealthLine. The HealthLine, which runs up and down Euclid Avenue between Public Square, University Circle and East Cleveland, has been increasingly popular since it was introduced in October 2008.
"Especially with gas prices rising, it's a good time to find an economic option for getting to work and play," says RTA spokesperson Mary McCahon. "The HealthLine has been growing fast and exceeding expectations. Ten million is a big number in two-and-a-half years."
The 10 millionth-rider event was held to thank RTA customers for their loyalty and support. RTA general manager Joe Calabrese presented Watkins with an oversized fare pass, as well as the other riders with their free weekly fare passes.
Source: Kionte Watkins
Writer: Karin Connelly
Pastry chef Courtney Bonning plans to open Bonbon Pastry and Café this summer in the former Athens Bakery shop at W. 26th and Lorain Avenue, further boosting available food offerings in Ohio City.
"We'll be opening a full bakery that will serve fresh, handmade croissants and desserts as well as a European-style café," says Bonning. "You'll be greeted by beautifully prepared items when you walk in the door, all priced below $15."
Bonning worked in Napa Valley, Seattle and the Cleveland Ritz-Carlton before launching her own bakery a couple years back in Detroit Shoreway. She was inspired to make the leap to the new 2,000-square-foot storefront after witnessing the momentum of the Market District. The new businesses popping up around the West Side Market will help drive traffic to her café, she says.
Bonbon will also serve a brunch-style menu featuring sandwiches, salads, small plates and egg-based dishes. In the summer months, tables and chairs on Lorain will transform it into a sidewalk café. It will be open from 6:30 a.m. until 9 p.m.
Bonning is especially excited about the businesses opening in the adjacent United Bank Building, which is owned by MRN Ltd., the developers of East Fourth Street and Uptown in University Circle. Penzeys Spices opened last year, and this summer, Crop will open its new location.
"We fell in love with the historic bank lobby, a gorgeous space with high ceilings, and we're sold by MRN's commitment to changing the neighborhood," says Jackie Schimoler, co-owner of Crop with her husband Steve. "It's a great location."
Next door to the restaurant, the Crop Shop will feature fresh, locally grown food such as heirloom tomatoes or specialty sausages used in Crop's dishes. Schimoler envisions it as a separate venture that feeds the restaurant, and vice-versa. "Whatever product we don't sell at the market, we'll just use at the restaurant."
Source: Courtney Bonning, Jackie Schimoler
Writer: Lee Chilcote
"We'll be opening a full bakery that will serve fresh, handmade croissants and desserts as well as a European-style café," says Bonning. "You'll be greeted by beautifully prepared items when you walk in the door, all priced below $15."
Bonning worked in Napa Valley, Seattle and the Cleveland Ritz-Carlton before launching her own bakery a couple years back in Detroit Shoreway. She was inspired to make the leap to the new 2,000-square-foot storefront after witnessing the momentum of the Market District. The new businesses popping up around the West Side Market will help drive traffic to her café, she says.
Bonbon will also serve a brunch-style menu featuring sandwiches, salads, small plates and egg-based dishes. In the summer months, tables and chairs on Lorain will transform it into a sidewalk café. It will be open from 6:30 a.m. until 9 p.m.
Bonning is especially excited about the businesses opening in the adjacent United Bank Building, which is owned by MRN Ltd., the developers of East Fourth Street and Uptown in University Circle. Penzeys Spices opened last year, and this summer, Crop will open its new location.
"We fell in love with the historic bank lobby, a gorgeous space with high ceilings, and we're sold by MRN's commitment to changing the neighborhood," says Jackie Schimoler, co-owner of Crop with her husband Steve. "It's a great location."
Next door to the restaurant, the Crop Shop will feature fresh, locally grown food such as heirloom tomatoes or specialty sausages used in Crop's dishes. Schimoler envisions it as a separate venture that feeds the restaurant, and vice-versa. "Whatever product we don't sell at the market, we'll just use at the restaurant."
Source: Courtney Bonning, Jackie Schimoler
Writer: Lee Chilcote
For decades, Ohio City's Lorain Avenue has been a symbol of beautiful decay. But thanks to the development boom taking place along West 25th Street, more entrepreneurs are beginning to set up shop on Lorain. Among the additions are a gourmet chili restaurant, vintage clothing store, architecture office and yoga studio -- all part of the neighborhood's burgeoning artisan economy.
At a ceremonial groundbreaking last week, Neighborhood Progress (NPI) and Pennrose Properties celebrated a $15.1 million project to renovate the former St. Luke's Hospital into 72 units of affordable senior housing. The event highlighted the project's sustainability features, the rich history of Saint Luke's and a grassroots effort to involve youth in beautifying the building.
Ohio Housing Finance Agency Director Doug Garver told the audience that the Saint Luke's project was selected to receive competitive Low Income Housing Tax Credits (LIHTC) because of its unmatched site amenities. The renovation will be energy-efficient, and the site is adjacent to a school, a library, a public transit station, a walking path, shopping and parks. "It's truly green in every sense," he said.
Denise San Antonio Zeman, President and CEO of the Saint Luke's Foundation, highlighted the rich history of Saint Luke's Hospital. Cleveland General Hospital, as it was known then, was originally located at 274 Woodland Avenue. "Public health nurses rode around on bicycles to make their rounds," she said. "Today, we'd call that green."
Throughout its long history, Saint Luke's Hospital remained committed to the needs of the community and the poor, Zeman added. "Now it's time to change the hospital's focus to meet the contemporary needs of the community," she said.
The developers also highlighted artists Angelica Pozo and Anna Arnold, who recruited Harvey Rice Elementary School students to create artistic boards that will cover up windows in the portion of the building awaiting future redevelopment. "This was a way to involve the local community while also beautifying the building," said Joel Ratner, President of NPI.
Sources: Doug Garver, Denise Zeman, Joel Ratner
Writer: Lee Chilcote
Ohio Housing Finance Agency Director Doug Garver told the audience that the Saint Luke's project was selected to receive competitive Low Income Housing Tax Credits (LIHTC) because of its unmatched site amenities. The renovation will be energy-efficient, and the site is adjacent to a school, a library, a public transit station, a walking path, shopping and parks. "It's truly green in every sense," he said.
Denise San Antonio Zeman, President and CEO of the Saint Luke's Foundation, highlighted the rich history of Saint Luke's Hospital. Cleveland General Hospital, as it was known then, was originally located at 274 Woodland Avenue. "Public health nurses rode around on bicycles to make their rounds," she said. "Today, we'd call that green."
Throughout its long history, Saint Luke's Hospital remained committed to the needs of the community and the poor, Zeman added. "Now it's time to change the hospital's focus to meet the contemporary needs of the community," she said.
The developers also highlighted artists Angelica Pozo and Anna Arnold, who recruited Harvey Rice Elementary School students to create artistic boards that will cover up windows in the portion of the building awaiting future redevelopment. "This was a way to involve the local community while also beautifying the building," said Joel Ratner, President of NPI.
Sources: Doug Garver, Denise Zeman, Joel Ratner
Writer: Lee Chilcote
Clevelanders are having a love affair with locally grown, seasonal food -- and that romance is playing out at numerous farmers markets around town. These days, it's possible to shop at a different neighborhood farmers market practically every day of the week, a far cry from when just a handful existed. What's more: Cleveland-area farmers markets will reap approximately $2.5 million this year, great news for small entrepreneurs and the local economy.
When the Moreland Theatre was built in 1927, the Buckeye neighborhood was home to the largest concentration of Hungarians outside Hungary. There were also six Hungarian newspapers in the area, and nearly every shop owner on Buckeye Road spoke Hungarian (and often English, too).
In the past 40 years, Buckeye has struggled as businesses and residents fled to the suburbs. The recent foreclosure crisis also hit the area hard, leaving boarded-up homes and vacant lots in its wake.
Yet today, this multicultural community just south of Shaker Square is showing signs of renewal in the new Harvey-Rice Elementary School, the popular Soul of Buckeye jazz festival, and the long-planned redevelopment of the former Saint Luke's Hospital building into low-income senior housing.
Still, the Moreland Theatre, a 1,300-seat Vaudeville theater that features an orchestra pit and flyloft, remains empty. It's not the only one -- the North Collinwood and Cudell neighborhoods also feature historic theaters. Most of them haven't been as lucky as the recently restored Capitol Theatre in Cleveland's Detroit-Shoreway neighborhood, which is now home to a three-screen indie movie house.
You don't have to wait for the Moreland Theatre to reopen, however, to check out this architectural gem. The Buckeye Area Development Corporation (BADC) is hosting the Buckeye Antique Furnishings Sale on Saturday, April 30th from 1-5 p.m. Bargain hunters, antique hounds and the merely curious can sift through theater seats, church pews and organs, a film projector, catering and kitchen equipment and art deco architectural details. A smorgasbord of items will be on sale, with prices starting at $1.
"This is the first time that we've opened the theater to the public -- it's part of our efforts to engage the community in creating a vision for the Buckeye Cultural Center," says Deepa Vedavyas, BADC's Associate Director for Development. "People can stop by and pick up a piece of history, and all of the funds raised will go towards the restoration of the building."
BADC purchased the Moreland Theatre in 2007 with plans to convert it into a mixed-use arts complex, including a multi-purpose theater for concerts, plays, special events, affordable apartments for artists, and four new storefronts. Total renovation costs are estimated at $6.1 million. BADC was recently awarded a $100,000 grant from the Ohio Facilities Commission, and has also applied for a historic designation for the building. The nonprofit is launching a fundraising campaign for the redevelopment effort.
Source: Deepa Vedavyas
Writer: Lee Chilcote
In the past 40 years, Buckeye has struggled as businesses and residents fled to the suburbs. The recent foreclosure crisis also hit the area hard, leaving boarded-up homes and vacant lots in its wake.
Yet today, this multicultural community just south of Shaker Square is showing signs of renewal in the new Harvey-Rice Elementary School, the popular Soul of Buckeye jazz festival, and the long-planned redevelopment of the former Saint Luke's Hospital building into low-income senior housing.
Still, the Moreland Theatre, a 1,300-seat Vaudeville theater that features an orchestra pit and flyloft, remains empty. It's not the only one -- the North Collinwood and Cudell neighborhoods also feature historic theaters. Most of them haven't been as lucky as the recently restored Capitol Theatre in Cleveland's Detroit-Shoreway neighborhood, which is now home to a three-screen indie movie house.
You don't have to wait for the Moreland Theatre to reopen, however, to check out this architectural gem. The Buckeye Area Development Corporation (BADC) is hosting the Buckeye Antique Furnishings Sale on Saturday, April 30th from 1-5 p.m. Bargain hunters, antique hounds and the merely curious can sift through theater seats, church pews and organs, a film projector, catering and kitchen equipment and art deco architectural details. A smorgasbord of items will be on sale, with prices starting at $1.
"This is the first time that we've opened the theater to the public -- it's part of our efforts to engage the community in creating a vision for the Buckeye Cultural Center," says Deepa Vedavyas, BADC's Associate Director for Development. "People can stop by and pick up a piece of history, and all of the funds raised will go towards the restoration of the building."
BADC purchased the Moreland Theatre in 2007 with plans to convert it into a mixed-use arts complex, including a multi-purpose theater for concerts, plays, special events, affordable apartments for artists, and four new storefronts. Total renovation costs are estimated at $6.1 million. BADC was recently awarded a $100,000 grant from the Ohio Facilities Commission, and has also applied for a historic designation for the building. The nonprofit is launching a fundraising campaign for the redevelopment effort.
Source: Deepa Vedavyas
Writer: Lee Chilcote
massive new wind turbine makes noise in forbes
Forbes featured an article on Cleveland's new wind turbine, stating that "Ohio has gotten a sneak peek at what expanding wind power will look like near Lake Erie."
The turbine, which was made in Germany, arrived Monday at the Port of Cleveland. It will be installed at the Lincoln Electric Co. in Euclid.
The wind turbine will measure 24 stories high to the tip of the blade. "The turbine has blades 165 feet long," the article states. "It will stand about three times taller than the wind turbine at Cleveland's Great Lakes Science Center."
Cuyahoga County made a $350,000 forgivable loan toward the cost of the turbine.
Read the rest here.
The turbine, which was made in Germany, arrived Monday at the Port of Cleveland. It will be installed at the Lincoln Electric Co. in Euclid.
The wind turbine will measure 24 stories high to the tip of the blade. "The turbine has blades 165 feet long," the article states. "It will stand about three times taller than the wind turbine at Cleveland's Great Lakes Science Center."
Cuyahoga County made a $350,000 forgivable loan toward the cost of the turbine.
Read the rest here.
Lights, camera, action!
Paramount Pictures announced plans to shoot an untitled film this summer in Cleveland and surrounding areas. The movie, starring Nickelodeon's Victoria Justice, will be directed by Josh Schwartz and produced by Michael Beugg. It is one of three major motion pictures slated for production in Greater Cleveland this summer.
Paramount Pictures announced plans to shoot an untitled film this summer in Cleveland and surrounding areas. The movie, starring Nickelodeon's Victoria Justice, will be directed by Josh Schwartz and produced by Michael Beugg. It is one of three major motion pictures slated for production in Greater Cleveland this summer.
"I think it's going to be a very exciting summer," says Greater Cleveland Film Commission executive director Ivan Schwarz. "It's creating the infrastructure, jobs and economic development in the area." The film is expected to employ 545 people, including cast, crew and extras.
The Paramount movie is just one part of Schwarz's plan to create 2,500 film-related jobs in everything from driving trucks to catering. "I want to create an industry; I don't want a boutique," he says. "Young people in our state and our community have a choice to work in an industry that's cool and pays well."
The production has been approved to receive funding through the Ohio Motion Picture Tax Credit, administered by the Ohio Department of Development's Ohio Film Office.
Cleveland is becoming more and more attractive to filmmakers because of its diverse scenery. "There is nothing you can't film here except for mountains and desert," says Schwarz. Katie Sabatino, spokesperson for the Ohio Film Office, adds, "Cleveland has a fantastic cast and crew base. With the bigger city and the small towns, it will look like any city or town you need. That's been a really attractive selling point for the film industry."
Source: Ivan Schwarz
Writer: Karin Connelly
city of cle makes good on promise to pimp food truck policy
As promised, Cleveland City Council passed sweeping new legislation that will help food truck operators succeed. Despite a lengthy -- and at times contentious -- process, City Council not only made good on its promises to modernize and streamline the rules of play, but actually improved upon the proposed package.
Mayor Frank Jackson was expected to sign the legislation this week.
According to Councilman Joe Cimperman, whose ward includes much of downtown, the new legislation would have limited food trucks to only a handful of downtown zones. What passed appears to be broader, with as many as eight permissible spots at which to circle the chuck wagons.
City Council also lengthened the permissible hours of operation, giving truck operators access to the lucrative post-bar business.
Before this revision, truck operators were required to obtain over a dozen separate permits, provide detailed external and internal architectural plans of their rig, fill out a 50-page application, and pay as much as $3,000 in application fees. The prize waiting for those who made it out of that process was confusing, contradictory and business-killing regulations.
This is great news not only for the existing and planned food trucks, but also for the City of Cleveland.
"[Food trucks] are successful micro-economic development engines that are creating independent wealth in one of the worst recessions in decades," says Lizzy Caston, a communications pro who consults with cities on modernizing food truck policy.
Mayor Frank Jackson was expected to sign the legislation this week.
According to Councilman Joe Cimperman, whose ward includes much of downtown, the new legislation would have limited food trucks to only a handful of downtown zones. What passed appears to be broader, with as many as eight permissible spots at which to circle the chuck wagons.
City Council also lengthened the permissible hours of operation, giving truck operators access to the lucrative post-bar business.
Before this revision, truck operators were required to obtain over a dozen separate permits, provide detailed external and internal architectural plans of their rig, fill out a 50-page application, and pay as much as $3,000 in application fees. The prize waiting for those who made it out of that process was confusing, contradictory and business-killing regulations.
This is great news not only for the existing and planned food trucks, but also for the City of Cleveland.
"[Food trucks] are successful micro-economic development engines that are creating independent wealth in one of the worst recessions in decades," says Lizzy Caston, a communications pro who consults with cities on modernizing food truck policy.
Cleveland is an entrepreneurial hotspot right now, and big business in Cleveland wants to make sure local women-owned outfits have equal footing. Springboard Enterprises has joined forces with Ohio-based powerhouses KeyBank, Thompson Hine, and Meaden & Moore to provide women with the keys to building big businesses.
Build it Big is a business development program for women-owned businesses on the fast track to growth. "It's about educating business owners on how to find equity investors and financing," says Maria Coyne, executive vice president of business banking for Key. "It's really about targeting for growth and the desire to grow rapidly."
Applications are being taken through May 23. The number of applicants accepted into the program depends on how many apply, but all applicants will get at least some input. To qualify, companies must have a woman in a key management position with a significant ownership stake; demonstrate a qualified and profitable market opportunity, a track record of milestone achievement and a credible core management team or an ability to attract one.
Companies selected to participate will meet one-on-one with the Build It Big partners to chart effective strategies for growing their businesses, including choosing the right capital, getting the fiscal house in order, and important legal issues such as product licensing, royalties and protecting the company's intellectual property.
The program can only mean good things for Cleveland's entrepreneurial spirit. "We think it's great for Cleveland because we like to grow our own," says Coyne. "We have an entrepreneurial history. Build it Big improves sustainability and growth for all our businesses. And we want to have a shared interest in their success."
Source: Maria Coyne
Writer: Karin Connelly
pittsburgh contemplates forthcoming ohio casinos
A recent Pittsburgh Post-Gazette article discusses the development of Horseshoe Casino Cleveland, which will be the first casino in Ohio when it opens early next year. The casino will be located in the historic Higbee Building downtown.
The development of casinos in Ohio will take a toll on already established casinos in Pennsylvania. About 20 percent of regular customers at Pittsburgh's Rivers Casino come are from out of state, mainly Ohio and West Virginia.
But before they can even open, Ohio casinos have a few hurdles to overcome, not the least of which is an ambivalent new Republican governor.
"The state's new governor, John Kasich, voted against the 2009 constitutional amendment referendum that was approved in a statewide vote, eventually permitting the construction of casinos in Cleveland, Toledo, Columbus and Cincinnati. But now he's charged with helping to craft the rules and regulations that will guide the industry in its formative years."
Kasich will also be the one who ultimately decides whether to sign off on a plan to legalize slot machines at Ohio racetracks. A portion of racetrack slot money goes toward prizes in Pennsylvania and Indiana, making race purses up to three times higher and in turn attracting better horses and jockeys.
Ohio is also in an unusual situation, because while casinos were approved in 2009, the Ohio Casino Control Commission, which handles many regulatory matters, was appointed just two months ago.
Check out the entire article here.
The development of casinos in Ohio will take a toll on already established casinos in Pennsylvania. About 20 percent of regular customers at Pittsburgh's Rivers Casino come are from out of state, mainly Ohio and West Virginia.
But before they can even open, Ohio casinos have a few hurdles to overcome, not the least of which is an ambivalent new Republican governor.
"The state's new governor, John Kasich, voted against the 2009 constitutional amendment referendum that was approved in a statewide vote, eventually permitting the construction of casinos in Cleveland, Toledo, Columbus and Cincinnati. But now he's charged with helping to craft the rules and regulations that will guide the industry in its formative years."
Kasich will also be the one who ultimately decides whether to sign off on a plan to legalize slot machines at Ohio racetracks. A portion of racetrack slot money goes toward prizes in Pennsylvania and Indiana, making race purses up to three times higher and in turn attracting better horses and jockeys.
Ohio is also in an unusual situation, because while casinos were approved in 2009, the Ohio Casino Control Commission, which handles many regulatory matters, was appointed just two months ago.
Check out the entire article here.
The Tremont neighborhood recently celebrated the opening of a new parking lot at Jefferson and Professor avenues that will not only help alleviate the neighborhood's parking crunch, but also help solve the region's storm water management problem.
The parking lot incorporates bioswales that will prevent rainwater from entering the sewer system. When rain falls onto the property, it runs off into carefully designed plant systems that gradually release it back into the ground.
The parking lot was developed by the Tremont West Development Corporation (TWDC), a nonprofit community development group that serves the Tremont neighborhood, in partnership with the Northeast Ohio Regional Sewer District (NEORSD), URS, and the City of Cleveland Sustainability Office.
NEORSD is currently working on a plan for regional storm water management that it hopes will spur more small-scale efforts like this one in the future. Storm water management solutions can help address the problems of flooding, erosion and combined sewer overflows or pollution, NEORSD says.
To acquire the formerly blighted parcel, TWDC partnered with local property owners and applied for funding from the Model Blocks program of Neighborhood Progress, a nonprofit that provides grants and technical assistance to CDC's in Cleveland.
Under the new fee structure that NEORSD plans to roll out next year, property owners can also earn credits for innovative storm water management solutions that keep rainwater out of sewers. For more information, visit Project Clean Lake.
Source: Tremont West Development Corporation, Northeast Ohio Regional Sewer District
Writer: Lee Chilcote
The parking lot incorporates bioswales that will prevent rainwater from entering the sewer system. When rain falls onto the property, it runs off into carefully designed plant systems that gradually release it back into the ground.
The parking lot was developed by the Tremont West Development Corporation (TWDC), a nonprofit community development group that serves the Tremont neighborhood, in partnership with the Northeast Ohio Regional Sewer District (NEORSD), URS, and the City of Cleveland Sustainability Office.
NEORSD is currently working on a plan for regional storm water management that it hopes will spur more small-scale efforts like this one in the future. Storm water management solutions can help address the problems of flooding, erosion and combined sewer overflows or pollution, NEORSD says.
To acquire the formerly blighted parcel, TWDC partnered with local property owners and applied for funding from the Model Blocks program of Neighborhood Progress, a nonprofit that provides grants and technical assistance to CDC's in Cleveland.
Under the new fee structure that NEORSD plans to roll out next year, property owners can also earn credits for innovative storm water management solutions that keep rainwater out of sewers. For more information, visit Project Clean Lake.
Source: Tremont West Development Corporation, Northeast Ohio Regional Sewer District
Writer: Lee Chilcote
time mag discusses the 'greening' of cle's fed building
A recent Time article titled "Greening the Skyline" discussed plans to make Cleveland's Celebrezze Federal Building more energy efficient. Built in 1967, the building is getting a new façade made of glass and aluminum that will envelop the original. The new construction will prevent heat loss in the 32-story building.
"Designed by architect Charles Young of Interactive Design Eight, the new facade will stand 2.5 ft. (75 cm) outside the old exterior," the article states. "Airflow between the old and new facade will insulate the building, yielding an estimated energy savings of $650,000 per year."
President Obama's stimulus program will contribute to funding the project.
The Time article also mentions recent improvements made to the Empire State Building, as well as the city of Melbourne's project aimed at reducing the energy consumption of about 1,200 office buildings 38% by 2020.
"Skyscrapers look modern, but they are among the worst culprits in urban areas when it comes to energy consumption and carbon emission, with outdated heating, cooling and lighting systems."
Read the rest of the article here.
"Designed by architect Charles Young of Interactive Design Eight, the new facade will stand 2.5 ft. (75 cm) outside the old exterior," the article states. "Airflow between the old and new facade will insulate the building, yielding an estimated energy savings of $650,000 per year."
President Obama's stimulus program will contribute to funding the project.
The Time article also mentions recent improvements made to the Empire State Building, as well as the city of Melbourne's project aimed at reducing the energy consumption of about 1,200 office buildings 38% by 2020.
"Skyscrapers look modern, but they are among the worst culprits in urban areas when it comes to energy consumption and carbon emission, with outdated heating, cooling and lighting systems."
Read the rest of the article here.
State Farm Insurance is looking for bi-lingual agents with an entrepreneurial spirit. So the agency is holding a job fair at Asian Town Center, located in Cleveland's Asiatown neighborhood, on May 17 from 5:30 p.m. to 7:30 p.m..
"State Farm has really got a push on the multi-cultural market," says Kevin Perry, senior State Farm field executive in the company's Beachwood office. "As a growing company we noticed we didn't have a lot of agents across diverse backgrounds."
Perry says Cleveland offers just the diversity State Farm is looking for. "We thought we'd go out and see what we can find and just go from there," he says. The company sponsored an event at Asia Town Center in January and "it went really well," so it seemed like the right location for a second one.
Ideally, State Farm would like to have an agent in Cleveland's Asiatown neighborhood. "With its location, we'd like to have an agent in there just to have a presence," Perry says. But the company is looking for agents who speak any language in addition to English.
"The right potential agent, with good credit, will be funded by State Farm for startup costs. Agents will receive an $18,000 signing bonus, an additional $12,000 after the first year, a $25,000 line of credit, and a credit card with a $5,000 limit.
"If you enjoy working with people, helping people, educating people, and you're interested in being an entrepreneur you should come in," says Perry. "We're looking for folks who want to be anchored in the community and looking to grow the market."
Source: Kevin Perry
Writer: Karen Connelly
"State Farm has really got a push on the multi-cultural market," says Kevin Perry, senior State Farm field executive in the company's Beachwood office. "As a growing company we noticed we didn't have a lot of agents across diverse backgrounds."
Perry says Cleveland offers just the diversity State Farm is looking for. "We thought we'd go out and see what we can find and just go from there," he says. The company sponsored an event at Asia Town Center in January and "it went really well," so it seemed like the right location for a second one.
Ideally, State Farm would like to have an agent in Cleveland's Asiatown neighborhood. "With its location, we'd like to have an agent in there just to have a presence," Perry says. But the company is looking for agents who speak any language in addition to English.
"The right potential agent, with good credit, will be funded by State Farm for startup costs. Agents will receive an $18,000 signing bonus, an additional $12,000 after the first year, a $25,000 line of credit, and a credit card with a $5,000 limit.
"If you enjoy working with people, helping people, educating people, and you're interested in being an entrepreneur you should come in," says Perry. "We're looking for folks who want to be anchored in the community and looking to grow the market."
Source: Kevin Perry
Writer: Karen Connelly
Roe Green believes in the arts. She can't imagine a world without them, and she wants to make sure people in Northeast Ohio continue to be exposed to the latest in theater, music and dance at the Cleveland Play House. So she made a three-year, $500,000 commitment to FusionFest.
"To me it was a very exciting idea," Green says of the donation. "I like exposing people to new things. It's stuff like this at FusionFest that people would not otherwise see."
Green is honorary producer of the festival that has been celebrating new works since its inception in 2005. She also sits on Cleveland Play House board. "Arts are what make us human; without the arts we're nothing but machines," she says. "I said, 'this is something I can sink my teeth into.' This has become my baby because it perpetuates people doing new work."
Additionally, next year will mark the beginning of the annual Roe Green FusionFest Award. The $7,500 award will be given to a promising mid-career American playwright. "Having arts in the community is very important to the community," Green says, noting that for every dollar spent on theater tickets also means dollars spent for parking, food and other expenses associated with going to the theater.
The winner of the Roe Green Award will also receive script development support. The selected playwright will spend a week in residency at CPH during FusionFest, overseeing rehearsals and reading of the work and engage in workshops and master classes with young theatre artists from the region.
Source: Roe Green
Writer: Karin Connelly
"To me it was a very exciting idea," Green says of the donation. "I like exposing people to new things. It's stuff like this at FusionFest that people would not otherwise see."
Green is honorary producer of the festival that has been celebrating new works since its inception in 2005. She also sits on Cleveland Play House board. "Arts are what make us human; without the arts we're nothing but machines," she says. "I said, 'this is something I can sink my teeth into.' This has become my baby because it perpetuates people doing new work."
Additionally, next year will mark the beginning of the annual Roe Green FusionFest Award. The $7,500 award will be given to a promising mid-career American playwright. "Having arts in the community is very important to the community," Green says, noting that for every dollar spent on theater tickets also means dollars spent for parking, food and other expenses associated with going to the theater.
The winner of the Roe Green Award will also receive script development support. The selected playwright will spend a week in residency at CPH during FusionFest, overseeing rehearsals and reading of the work and engage in workshops and master classes with young theatre artists from the region.
Source: Roe Green
Writer: Karin Connelly
Cleveland State University's Nance College of Business Administration and Shaker LaunchHouse have teamed up to encourage the regions entrepreneurs to follow their dreams.
The agreement was adopted at a special meeting of the Shaker City Council on March 14, after recommendation by the Shaker Heights Economic Development Department.
One of the first endeavors the two have launched is the 2011 Idea Competition. The contest is open to students at any Ohio college or university with an innovative business idea. Ideas should focus on software and Internet technology, low-tech medical devices, and clean energy.
"We really want to get the juices flowing of entrepreneurs in the region," says Shaker LaunchHouse managing partner Todd Goldstein. "We believe it's extremely important to provide an outlet for good ideas."
The winner gets a $2,500 scholarship to the Nance's global AMBA program and $1,000 from LaunchHouse, including incubation space, legal support, accounting support, and business planning assistance. The winner will have the chance to compete for $5,000 in seed funding.
Entry forms are due by noon on Monday, April 25. Finalists will then give a two-minute pitch to a panel of entrepreneurs and venture capitalists at Shaker LaunchHouse on Thursday, May 5. SLH will be offering educational seminars for the contestants to help them with their presentations.
Source: Todd Goldstein
Writer: Karin Connelly
The agreement was adopted at a special meeting of the Shaker City Council on March 14, after recommendation by the Shaker Heights Economic Development Department.
One of the first endeavors the two have launched is the 2011 Idea Competition. The contest is open to students at any Ohio college or university with an innovative business idea. Ideas should focus on software and Internet technology, low-tech medical devices, and clean energy.
"We really want to get the juices flowing of entrepreneurs in the region," says Shaker LaunchHouse managing partner Todd Goldstein. "We believe it's extremely important to provide an outlet for good ideas."
The winner gets a $2,500 scholarship to the Nance's global AMBA program and $1,000 from LaunchHouse, including incubation space, legal support, accounting support, and business planning assistance. The winner will have the chance to compete for $5,000 in seed funding.
Entry forms are due by noon on Monday, April 25. Finalists will then give a two-minute pitch to a panel of entrepreneurs and venture capitalists at Shaker LaunchHouse on Thursday, May 5. SLH will be offering educational seminars for the contestants to help them with their presentations.
Source: Todd Goldstein
Writer: Karin Connelly
Shaker LaunchHouse, a pre-seed investment fund and business accelerator, has raised $250,000 in capital funds. A portion of the money will be used to invest an average of $10,000 in 15 software and disruptive technology companies. "Disruptive technology refers to thinking of things that shake up or dramatically change the market," explains Todd Goldstein, managing partner of SLH.
The investments will be made over the next 12 months. Additionally, SLH will provide office space and back office support to each of the 15 companies. Goldstein and his partner formed Shaker LaunchHouse in 2008 after seeing larger numbers of young entrepreneurs leaving Cleveland for cities that offered greater start-up opportunities.
"We saw a lot of young people moving away because there was a lot of seed money [elsewhere] ," explains Goldstein. "We felt that Cleveland was ripe for an organization that could provide seed money."
SLH's goal is to invest in 15 companies a year, while also providing networking with 100 mentors, cooperative office space and educational programming. SLH provides twice weekly workshops for entrepreneurs led by area business leaders with expertise in everything from how to manage the finances of a startup company to how to write an effective executive summary and make presentations as well as crash courses in website development.
SLH is in the process of moving into a renovated car dealership on Lee Road, which will provide 23,000 square feet of space for entrepreneurs and mentors.
Source: Todd Goldstein
Writer: Karin Connelly
The investments will be made over the next 12 months. Additionally, SLH will provide office space and back office support to each of the 15 companies. Goldstein and his partner formed Shaker LaunchHouse in 2008 after seeing larger numbers of young entrepreneurs leaving Cleveland for cities that offered greater start-up opportunities.
"We saw a lot of young people moving away because there was a lot of seed money [elsewhere] ," explains Goldstein. "We felt that Cleveland was ripe for an organization that could provide seed money."
SLH's goal is to invest in 15 companies a year, while also providing networking with 100 mentors, cooperative office space and educational programming. SLH provides twice weekly workshops for entrepreneurs led by area business leaders with expertise in everything from how to manage the finances of a startup company to how to write an effective executive summary and make presentations as well as crash courses in website development.
SLH is in the process of moving into a renovated car dealership on Lee Road, which will provide 23,000 square feet of space for entrepreneurs and mentors.
Source: Todd Goldstein
Writer: Karin Connelly
While it's common for individual companies to develop a business plan to help prepare for success, Northeast Ohio is one of only three regions in the country to pilot a regional business development plan. The Partnership for Regional Innovation Services to Manufacturers (PRISM) will be headed by MAGNET to help small and medium sized manufacturers thrive in the region.
"It's basically a way to ramp up the level of innovation in the manufacturing sector," says John Schober, MAGNET's director of innovation. "Lots of businesses out there have the potential to grow, but they don't have the resources available to grow."
For instance, these companies may not have access to resources such as marketing or R&D departments. "The PRISM program will help manufacturers identify and access these resourcces," says Schober. "People have been talking about what's going wrong for a while, but no one's talking about what to do about it."
This initiative will take the sub-networks -- government, education, the manufacturing sector, economic development organizations, and service -- and connect them. "The realization came that we're in these networks and we see the gap," says Schober. "We can connect those industries. So we get those collaboratons to solve a problem we've never solved before."
Several organizations have already shown support for the PRISM initiative, including Fund for Our Economic Future, The Cleveland Foundation, and the Greater Cleveland Partnership.
Source: John Schober
Writer: Karin Connelly
"It's basically a way to ramp up the level of innovation in the manufacturing sector," says John Schober, MAGNET's director of innovation. "Lots of businesses out there have the potential to grow, but they don't have the resources available to grow."
For instance, these companies may not have access to resources such as marketing or R&D departments. "The PRISM program will help manufacturers identify and access these resourcces," says Schober. "People have been talking about what's going wrong for a while, but no one's talking about what to do about it."
This initiative will take the sub-networks -- government, education, the manufacturing sector, economic development organizations, and service -- and connect them. "The realization came that we're in these networks and we see the gap," says Schober. "We can connect those industries. So we get those collaboratons to solve a problem we've never solved before."
Several organizations have already shown support for the PRISM initiative, including Fund for Our Economic Future, The Cleveland Foundation, and the Greater Cleveland Partnership.
Source: John Schober
Writer: Karin Connelly