The population of Northeast Ohio's 12 most populous counties fell by seven percent from 4.1 million in 1970 to 3.8 million in 2010. Yet at the same time, suburban areas added 400 square miles of roads, shopping centers, housing developments and office parks.

That unabated trend towards urban sprawl is not sustainable, argues the Northeast Ohio Sustainable Communities Consortium, a new initiative that won a $4.25 million grant from the federal government in 2010 to plan for more sustainable land use patterns across the region. It also wastes resources, harms cities and makes the region less competitive.

So what would a truly vibrant future look like for Northeast Ohio? The NEOSCC hopes to engage young professionals in answering that question at a series of public engagement meetings. The next event is scheduled for Wednesday, May 16th at Brothers Lounge in Cleveland.

"A lot of times, decisions are made without involving young people, and we wanted them at the forefront," says Jeff Anderle, Director of Communications with the NEOSCC. "We keep hearing that they want a competitive economy in the region so that there are more job opportunities. They also want walkable communities and more vibrant downtowns throughout the 12-county area."

Anderle stresses that the NEOSCC is not dictating people's choices -- "We want to educate people so that they understand the big picture infrastructure costs and how they affect everyone," he says -- yet the initiative's impact will come down to how communities throughout the region adopt the NEOSCC's recommendations. The group plans to release an initial report on existing conditions in June.


Source: Jeff Anderle
Writer: Lee Chilcote

What began in 2005 as a desire to order a Rascal House pizza online rather than over the phone -- as ONOSYS did when launched by college friends Stan Garber, Oleg Fridman and Alex Yakubovich -- has grown into the second largest leader in mobile and online ordering software for the restaurant industry.
 
Last week, Living Social acquired ONOSYS, a move that fits squarely into Garber’s plans and expectations for the company.

“We we’re talking about the idea of working together for a while,” says Garber. “It just made sense. We definitely had a vision it was going to grow this big.”
 
ONOSYS has a track record of 100-percent growth annually. They saw $100 million in sales last year and represented more than 75 brands across the nation.
 
Financial details of the sale were not disclosed. Living Social plans to open offices in Cleveland, which ONOSYS will run. ONOSYS has grown from five people in 2008 to 20 employees today. “Our goal is to get to 35 to 40 by the end of the year,” says Garber. “We’re going to continue what we’re doing.”
 
The acquisition is not just good for ONOSYS. Garber sees the move as a positive impact on Cleveland as well. “It’s a bright spot for Cleveland,” he says. “It’s more fuel on the fire for attracting more tech companies to Cleveland. This is a good example that young entrepreneurs in Cleveland don’t need to go to New York, Chicago and L.A. to get recognition.”
 

Source: Stan Garber
Writer: Karin Connelly

Is 2012 the year of the collective? Based on the DIY art spaces that are springing up across the city, it would certainly seem like a trend-in-the-making.

BuckBuck, a new collaborative art space that is located in a former auction house, is the latest creative hotspot to join the list. Founders Joe Lanzilotta and Derek Maxfield are recent college graduates who started the gallery and co-op style workspace after obtaining fine arts and graphic design degrees from Ohio University and being faced with a tight job market.

Yet the founders' desire to start their own creative space went beyond their dim job prospects, Lanzilotta says. They began hunting for cool, affordable space because they wanted to do their own thing and shape their own destiny.

"We wanted a spot we could build our own reputation from," says Lanzilotta, who seized the 5,700-square-foot space at 3910 Lorain Avenue after the sympathetic landlord enticed them with a couple months free rent and an affordable lease rate. "After I completed an internship in Chicago, I had the feeling that I really wanted to come back to Cleveland and create something on my own."

BuckBuck recently hosted its first art show in the newly-created gallery -- its founders literally erected walls and hung artwork with only a few weeks notice -- during this year's Palookafest event. The annual chili cook-off and competition was created by Ian P.E., the owner of Palookaville Chili, which opened in an adjacent storefront in early 2011.

Thanks to a proliferation of cheap, available storefronts on Lorain, Lanzilotta says that a small creative community is springing up. Recently, a furniture maker moved in next door, and there is also a new tattoo shop across the street.


Source: Joe Lanzilotta
Writer: Lee Chilcote

LeanDog Labs, LaunchHouse and Bizdom have gotten together to host a Startup Mixer today from 6 to 8:30 p.m. at LeanDog Labs. The event intends to bring together developers, designers and other IT types with entrepreneurs launching a new product or service but in need of a CTO.
 
“A lot of people have wonderful ideas and a business background, but they’re usually missing that technical background,” explains Andradia Scovil, recruiting leader for Bizdom Cleveland. “These days you have to have a CTO to run a business. If we can bring together these business people with people with a technical background we can make things happen.”
 
While the three organizations have slightly different services, the mixer serves the common goal of fostering the growing IT industry in Cleveland. “For the first time in a long time we’re seeing momentum building,” says Nick Barendt, LeanDog Labs director. “If we can help play matchmaker, get these different networks into the same room, it will be good to see more collaboration.”
 
Scovil agrees. “At the end of the day we all agree that Cleveland needs entrepreneurs to thrive and be a city known as a tech hub,” she says. “Cleveland should be known as a place where people go to grow their businesses.”
 
The organizers limited attendance at the mixer to 100 people, simply to provide a more intimate networking experience for the participants.

 
Source: Nick Barendt, Andradia Scovil
Writer: Karin Connelly

Bad Girl Ventures has teamed up with Samuel Adams Brewing the American Dream and Accion to host a Speed Coaching event on Monday, May 7 from 6 to 8:30 p.m. at the COSE offices. The event targets startups in the food and beverage industry.
 
“People in food and beverage have a really hard time getting funding,” explains Rachel Czernin, director of marketing and development for Bad Girl Ventures.

Small business owners spend 20 minutes at each station and receive personalized coaching from more than 20 local professionals and Sam Adams experts. Consulting stations will cover topics including sales and distribution, packaging, marketing and e-commerce, legal and financing.

Since 2008, Samuel Adams Brewing the American Dream has been providing low and modest income small business owners in the food, beverage and hospitality industry with the resources to start and grow their businesses. Accion, a non-profit microlender, provides loans, coaching and access to networks for small businesses. Loan consultants will be at the event to talk about how to access loans and other financing.

Cleveland is an ideal location for a food service speed coaching event because of the growing number of such businesses in the area.

“In Cleveland the number of businesses is higher than in other cities because Cleveland has established itself as a destination for good food,” says Czernin. “And there’s no food incubator in place, no one really fostering food and beverage specifically.”

BGV plans to have about 75 participants at the event. They will host a similar event in Cincinnati the following day. “It’s really an opportunity to meet experts in the field,” says Czernin. “It’s an opportunity to find funding. And it’s free.”
 

Source: Rachel Czernin
Writer: Karin Connelly

Last December, Russ Mitchell left New York, his home of 16 years, to bring his considerable talents to Cleveland as lead anchor and managing editor for WKYC. His portfolio spans 30 years and includes work in local news at points across the country, not to mention 15 years anchoring CBS news programs like The Early Show and CBS Evening News. At the center of it all is a man who is not only approachable and personable, but one who already feels like one of our own.

For Dan Miller, making a living as a visual artist in Cleveland meant selling his motorcycle, emptying his savings account and finding a warehouse where he could build his own walls and hang lights. The owner of the new Rotten Meat Gallery on East 40th Street between Payne and Perkins says it's all worth it to showcase the city's underrecognized art scene.

"I really wanted to do my part to encourage people to stay here and grow Cleveland as an art market," says Miller, a painter who also uses the building as his own studio. "Markets like Chicago and New York are saturated, and there's a lack of pretension here. We're an industrious city, yet we also have a strong history of culture in places like the Cleveland Museum of Art."

Rotten Meat Gallery is a launchpad for new, emerging artists as well as a place that celebrates established local talent, Miller says. The formerly industrial space is an artist's haven that boasts exposed brick walls and fourteen foot ceilings.

Although Cleveland's art scene is small and tight-knit, Miller hopes that others will follow his lead and establish DIY art spaces that help the city's art scene thrive and grow. "One of the best ways to revitalize an area is to get artists there."

Rotten Meat's next show, "Tab A, Slot B," features Rust Belt Welding artisans Grant Smrekar and Lou Erste, who will showcase their functional sculpture and furniture that is built out of reclaimed wood and steel. The opening reception takes place this Friday, May 4th from 6-10 pm at 1814 East 40th Street, Suite B.


Source: Dan Miller
Writer: Lee Chilcote

New entrepreneurs need all the help they can get when launching a business. The Incubator at MAGNET is launching the Beta Space to help students and entrepreneurs get off to a good start. The 2,000 square-foot space on E. 25th Street offers co-working space, mentorship and free advice from service providers.
 
“There are two main components to the program,” says David Crain, director of entrepreneurial services for the Incubator at Magnet. “One is a co-working space for students with a focus on advanced engineering. Second is small businesses and entrepreneurs can schedule free one hour meetings to get advice and ask questions to our service providers.”
 
Service providers in the Beta Space include finance, marketing and legal service providers. Membership is not required to take advantage of the services. Entrepreneurs can schedule up to four one-hour meetings a month.
 
The Beta Space aims to be a place for networking, mentorship and a mix of experience. Presentations and other social events are also planned. “We’re regionally focused,” says Crain. “Any entrepreneur or small business in Northeast Ohio is welcome.”
 
The Beta Space has 15 service providers signed up to offer advice. Crain expects to have 25 to 30 providers total -- all donating their time to help small businesses.
 
“On the service side, these are folks who work with entrepreneurs and know they need a ton of help,” says Crain.
 
The Beta Space officially opens May 7.
 

Source: David Crain
Writer: Karin Connelly

This week, a pair of Cleveland Heights residents and avid home brewers launched BottleHouse Brewery in a 6,200-square-foot storefront on Lee Road that had been sitting vacant for more than a decade. The new venue, which will feature craft beers, original brews and a brew-on-premise facility that will open this summer, celebrated its grand opening Tuesday after a year and a half of work.

"It all ties in with bringing craft beer to the community," says Brian Benchek, a former glass-blowing artist. His business partner, Dave Schubert, previously worked as a fuel cell technician. "It's a place for the community to gather."

BottleHouse Brewery opened its tasting room this week. In a month, the venue will begin serving its own original beers. A selection of bourbons, meads and wines also are sold, as are pierogis and Bavarian sausages from local purveyors. The brew-on-premise option will be rolled out this summer. Eventually, the duo plans to sell home brewing equipment, as well.

Benchek and Schubert began talking about the idea for their dream pub during long, painfully sober drives home from the Brew Kettle, a popular brew-on-premise facility located in Strongsville. "There's a one-year wait there currently," Benchek says. "A lot of their customers are from the East Side. When we went, one of us would always be drinking less because we'd have to drive home."

Eventually, Benchek and Schubert plan to manufacture and distribute their own beers. Benchek says that the BottleHouse will tap into unmet demand, and cites the large home brewing community as one reason why they'll be successful.


Source: Dave Benchek
Writer: Lee Chilcote

Very soon, the City of Cleveland Heights will amend its zoning code "To encourage sustainable practices in residential neighborhoods." This legislation makes the city one of the most sustainable in the United States. Changes will make it expressly lawful to install rain barrels, plant front-yard vegetable gardens, build compost bins and replace asphalt driveways with those featuring semi-pervious materials. But without question, the topic garnering the most buzz is backyard chickens.

Matt Mastrangelo knows first-hand the hassles of putting together a group outing to an Indians or Browns game. After nearly 10 years in group sales for both sports teams, he witnessed the amount of work staffers put into organizing a group outing.
 
“It was in the Stone Age,” he says. “Figuring out the paper flyers, who wants how many tickets, how much they cost, collecting cash and checks. I thought there was something I could do to alleviate that work.” So in March, Mastrangelo created GroupAide, an online system for organizers of group events to manage the ticket sales.
 
Organizers go to the GroupAide site, set up an event page that includes all the details of the event and send email invitations to the group. Attendees can view the seating chart and buy tickets. It’s free to set up but a service fee is attached to each ticket sale.
 
“So if they’re sitting at home one night, they can just go to their event page and place an order really quickly,” says Mastrangelo. “We provide sales support, who bought tickets, how many seats were sold and how much money has been collected.” With a click of the mouse, the organizer can issue a sales report and collect the money for the event.
 
“Maybe it’s just from being around it for so long, but I don’t feel like I’m reinventing the wheel or changing the world,” says Mastrangelo. “I’m just putting together a way to promote and organize an event.”
 
Mastrangelo already has a few clients through GroupAide, from sporting events to a ski race and even a poinsettia sale. Right now he is still operating GroupAide out of his house in Lyndhurst, but hopes to grow as people catch on to GroupAide.

 
Source: Matt Mastrangelo
Writer: Karin Connelly

As a technology-focused school, the University of Phoenix, Cleveland campus, knows the importance of computer education at an early age. So the university recently donated 30 desktop computers with accessories to the Kenneth W. Clement - Boys Leadership Academy in Cleveland.
 
“The University of Phoenix is very committed to technology and education,” says Gina Cuffari, Phoenix vice president of Ohio and Kentucky territories. “We have a 12-year history in Ohio and we’re known as one of the leaders in technology.”
 
At least five computers are in each classroom at the school that focuses on managing active boys. Students can use the computers for learning, research and reading games. Older students at the school will work with the computers in a buddy system with the younger students.
 
University of Phoenix’s science committee chose the Boys Leadership Academy to receive the computers, which were previously used by the university’s students and staff. “The school does not have the technology they need,” explains Cuffari. In fact, most of the students don’t have computers at home either. The donation ensures the boys will get exposure to current technology. “The committee felt strongly that providing these assets means we have a brighter future.”

 
Source: Gina Cuffari
Writer: Karin Connelly

Now that the urban farming movement is becoming steadily more mature, cities are looking beyond backyard hens and market gardens to longer-term agricultural land use policies. They can and should learn from what works in other places while also advocating for better public policy at every level.

These were the messages conveyed at a forum on urban agriculture that was held last week at Cleveland State University. Kimberly Hodgson, a planner and public health advocate from Vancouver, Canada, said that Cleveland is considered a leader in the new agrarian movement, but that U.S. and Canadian cities have much to learn from each other.

Baltimore completed a study to prioritize and focus urban agriculture in needed areas, Hodgson told an audience of 100-plus planners, farmers, students and lawyers. Minneapolis conducted an analysis to determine which parcels of land have low value for development and would thus be appropriate for urban farming.

The goal of such plans, Hodgson said, is generally to promote and support equal access to urban farming and gardening, create economic opportunity for residents, reduce regulatory barriers to farming and expand agricultural production.

Other examples Hodgson cited included Vancouver, which has developed urban agriculture design guidelines, and Baltimore, which hired a Food Policy Director using money raised from area foundations. Within six months, the new Director had leveraged enough money on her own to fund the position without subsidy.


Source: Kimberly Hodgson
Writer: Lee Chilcote