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If there's one thing we Clevelanders can count on, it's that when the weather heats up, so too does the festival schedule. Summers here are filled with all matter of artsy, edgy and just-plain-fun festivals. Here is a visual tour of some of the best in town, including Parade the Circle, Cleveland Asian Fest, Hessler Street Fair, Gay Pride, the Feast, and more.
Designer Will Kesling recently launched Pixel Thought Foundry, a web, motion and print design studio, in a cozy 750 square foot office suite above Geiger's Sporting Goods in downtown Lakewood.
In doing so, he not only gladly gave up his cluttered home office, but also joined the ranks of a growing number of entrepreneurs who are choosing Lakewood.
"Lakewood is really supportive of small businesses," says Kesling, a Pittsburgh native who moved to Cleveland to work for a major firm before going out on his own. "There's a lot of opportunity to start a business and keep your overhead low. Space is affordable, so you don't have to worry about whether you’ll make rent."
One of the advantages of doing business in downtown Lakewood, Kesling says, is that there are a bevy of like-minded firms within walking distance -- or even in the same building. Pixel Thought Foundry, for instance, is located on the same floor as Sprokets, another small, Lakewood-based web development firm.
"There's a really good network here, and we can provide the same services as larger companies by teaming up," says Kesling. "That's how we get our A team."
Pixel Thought Foundry specializes in helping clients to develop research-driven marketing and web development strategies. Recently, Kesling says, he's carved out a successful niche by helping authors to develop trailers for their new books.
Source: Will Kesling
Writer: Lee Chilcote
In doing so, he not only gladly gave up his cluttered home office, but also joined the ranks of a growing number of entrepreneurs who are choosing Lakewood.
"Lakewood is really supportive of small businesses," says Kesling, a Pittsburgh native who moved to Cleveland to work for a major firm before going out on his own. "There's a lot of opportunity to start a business and keep your overhead low. Space is affordable, so you don't have to worry about whether you’ll make rent."
One of the advantages of doing business in downtown Lakewood, Kesling says, is that there are a bevy of like-minded firms within walking distance -- or even in the same building. Pixel Thought Foundry, for instance, is located on the same floor as Sprokets, another small, Lakewood-based web development firm.
"There's a really good network here, and we can provide the same services as larger companies by teaming up," says Kesling. "That's how we get our A team."
Pixel Thought Foundry specializes in helping clients to develop research-driven marketing and web development strategies. Recently, Kesling says, he's carved out a successful niche by helping authors to develop trailers for their new books.
Source: Will Kesling
Writer: Lee Chilcote
Now in its fourth year, Larchmere PorchFest has blossomed into one of the most beloved of summer festivals. This homespun event does more than bring music to the front porches of this diverse Cleveland neighborhood; it highlights local independent businesses, fosters a sense of community, and markets the area to future residents.
NEOSA recently completed its quarterly survey of Northeast Ohio’s tech sector, which measures how tech businesses are succeeding and their hiring trends and expectations, and the results are strong.
“What we’re seeing right now is not overly aggressive growth, but steady growth,” says NEOSA director Brad Nellis. “What I see are generally positive trends. When we compare results from previous surveys, we’re moving in the right direction. We’re really going on measured expansion going on two years.”
The survey showed that 67 percent of respondents said first quarter business was either good or very good; 87 percent expect their overall business to improve within the next year; and 73 percent plan to increase their staff.
Eighty-two percent of the companies surveyed reported they are currently hiring, which Nellis says is an all-time high in the seven years NEOSA has conducted the survey. The downside is companies are still struggling to find the right talent.
“I’m worried about the lack of talent," says Nellis. "The problem is we don’t have a pipeline in the colleges – they’re not graduating enough IT students.”
While the lack of IT talent graduating from college is a national problem, Nellis said Cleveland's reputation is improving. “The challenge is it can be difficult to get people to move here from outside the region,” says Nellis. “But Business Week listed Cleveland as one of the hottest tech jobs markets in the country.”
And area organizations are working diligently to attract the talent to Cleveland. For instance, Global Cleveland is planning an online career fair for tech jobs.
Source: Brad Nellis
Writer: Karin Connelly
“What we’re seeing right now is not overly aggressive growth, but steady growth,” says NEOSA director Brad Nellis. “What I see are generally positive trends. When we compare results from previous surveys, we’re moving in the right direction. We’re really going on measured expansion going on two years.”
The survey showed that 67 percent of respondents said first quarter business was either good or very good; 87 percent expect their overall business to improve within the next year; and 73 percent plan to increase their staff.
Eighty-two percent of the companies surveyed reported they are currently hiring, which Nellis says is an all-time high in the seven years NEOSA has conducted the survey. The downside is companies are still struggling to find the right talent.
“I’m worried about the lack of talent," says Nellis. "The problem is we don’t have a pipeline in the colleges – they’re not graduating enough IT students.”
While the lack of IT talent graduating from college is a national problem, Nellis said Cleveland's reputation is improving. “The challenge is it can be difficult to get people to move here from outside the region,” says Nellis. “But Business Week listed Cleveland as one of the hottest tech jobs markets in the country.”
And area organizations are working diligently to attract the talent to Cleveland. For instance, Global Cleveland is planning an online career fair for tech jobs.
Source: Brad Nellis
Writer: Karin Connelly
connecticut post posts about sawyer and wusthof campaign
It appears as if Cleveland’s other culinary golden boy, Jonathon Sawyer, is lending his name and reputation to a popular cookware manufacturer.
Olivia Just from the Connecticut Post reports that the "Defining the Edge" campaign from Wusthof cutlery centers around three chefs, "The Rebel," Richie Nakano from San Francisco; "The Poet," Camas Davis from Portland, Ore.; and "The Believer," Jonathon Sawyer from Cleveland, Ohio.
“Each of the chefs has a story that fits in with the spirit of the campaign: Nakano started with a pop-up food stand Hapa Ramen, Davis learned the art of butchery and founded the Portland Meat Collective, and Sawyer opened the Greenhouse Tavern, Ohio's first certified green restaurant.”
The campaign is not just about lending their culinary celebrity to a commercial brand but also educating consumers on improving their techniques and knife skills.
"We are looking to target food-centric and hyper-connected college-educated, 25- to 35-year-olds," Garaghty said. "We are also trying to reach those who are newly married, a first-home buyer, or someone in the process of updating their kitchen."
Read the full story here.
Olivia Just from the Connecticut Post reports that the "Defining the Edge" campaign from Wusthof cutlery centers around three chefs, "The Rebel," Richie Nakano from San Francisco; "The Poet," Camas Davis from Portland, Ore.; and "The Believer," Jonathon Sawyer from Cleveland, Ohio.
“Each of the chefs has a story that fits in with the spirit of the campaign: Nakano started with a pop-up food stand Hapa Ramen, Davis learned the art of butchery and founded the Portland Meat Collective, and Sawyer opened the Greenhouse Tavern, Ohio's first certified green restaurant.”
The campaign is not just about lending their culinary celebrity to a commercial brand but also educating consumers on improving their techniques and knife skills.
"We are looking to target food-centric and hyper-connected college-educated, 25- to 35-year-olds," Garaghty said. "We are also trying to reach those who are newly married, a first-home buyer, or someone in the process of updating their kitchen."
Read the full story here.
cooking light dubs west side market a hidden gem
Here in Cleveland, we all know what a treasure and luxury it is to have the West Side Market available to us for all of our culinary needs. Now the readers of the health conscious food magazine Cooking Light know it as well. Recently, the 100-year-old public market was recognized as one of the mag's favorite “Hidden Gems & Delicious Destinations” in the country.
“In this beautiful, 27,000-square-foot hall, shoppers find ethnic specialties like kielbasa and smoked sausage, barrel-aged sauerkraut, and potato-filled pierogi. But these days, they also come for grass-fed beef, farmstead cheeses, local honey, and handmade pasta," touts the foodie mag.
We have known this all along but in order to give the accolades more weight; Cleveland’s own Michael Symon pipes in as well: “The West Side Market maintains all of the integrity and uniqueness that it always has, even after 100 years,”
Check out the full series in addition to the West Side Market piece here.
“In this beautiful, 27,000-square-foot hall, shoppers find ethnic specialties like kielbasa and smoked sausage, barrel-aged sauerkraut, and potato-filled pierogi. But these days, they also come for grass-fed beef, farmstead cheeses, local honey, and handmade pasta," touts the foodie mag.
We have known this all along but in order to give the accolades more weight; Cleveland’s own Michael Symon pipes in as well: “The West Side Market maintains all of the integrity and uniqueness that it always has, even after 100 years,”
Check out the full series in addition to the West Side Market piece here.
In the spirit of summer fun, Pittsburgh-based writer Elaine Labalme compares her beloved Kennywood amusement park to Cedar Point, our own little pleasure factory. Comparing the two parks in regards to thrill rides, wooden coasters, classic rides, water rides, food and atmosphere, the writer comes to an unscientific decision that both parks are worthy of a summer visit.
Jessica Cantrall and her husband Brian like to make life easy -- especially grocery shopping. So the couple developed Empty Aisle, a web-based grocery shopping platform that makes wandering the aisles unnecessary.
“We are constantly looking at the world and thinking of ways to make it better,” says Cantrall. “People need a way to find food quickly and easily. They want to find what they want and get out the door.”
Empty Aisle allows shoppers to create a food profile with their preferences and allergies. “You can filter things out you don’t want,” explains Cantrall. Using Empty Aisle, customers select exactly what they want, pay for it, then go to their local grocery store to pick up their order.
Cantrall envisions a day that in-store grocery shopping is a thing of the past. The Empty Aisle system automatically archives order histories, saves grocers’ rewards cards and tracks buying preferences.
The Cantralls are currently trying to get the word out to consumers, sell the concept to grocers, and raise money through Indiegogo. “We’re focusing on the consumers more heavily at this point,” says Cantrall. “And we have to prove to grocers there is a demand for it. We really want to position ourselves as a middle man between grocers and shoppers.”
Source: Jessica Cantrall
Writer: Karin Connelly
“We are constantly looking at the world and thinking of ways to make it better,” says Cantrall. “People need a way to find food quickly and easily. They want to find what they want and get out the door.”
Empty Aisle allows shoppers to create a food profile with their preferences and allergies. “You can filter things out you don’t want,” explains Cantrall. Using Empty Aisle, customers select exactly what they want, pay for it, then go to their local grocery store to pick up their order.
Cantrall envisions a day that in-store grocery shopping is a thing of the past. The Empty Aisle system automatically archives order histories, saves grocers’ rewards cards and tracks buying preferences.
The Cantralls are currently trying to get the word out to consumers, sell the concept to grocers, and raise money through Indiegogo. “We’re focusing on the consumers more heavily at this point,” says Cantrall. “And we have to prove to grocers there is a demand for it. We really want to position ourselves as a middle man between grocers and shoppers.”
Source: Jessica Cantrall
Writer: Karin Connelly
nasa + rta + h = h2o + go
A new partnership between NASA and the Greater Cleveland RTA has resulted in a space-age bus (oxymoron alert!).
Powered by a hydrogen fuel cell, which converts hydrogen gas into water and electricity, the bus can travel the streets of Cleve for up to 100 miles per "fill-up."
The plan is to install a hydrogen fueling station at the RTA garage in East Cleveland that will power a fuel cell bus.
"The purpose of the project is to demonstrate alternative energy technologies and build awareness for hydrogen fuel cells," reports WKSU's Jeff St. Clair. "Northeast Ohio is a center for fuel cell research. The state's Third Frontier Fuel Cell program, from 2003 to 2011, pumped $90 million into fuel cell research and manufacturing in Ohio."
For a great description on how fuel cells work, listen to this broadcast from WKSU.
Powered by a hydrogen fuel cell, which converts hydrogen gas into water and electricity, the bus can travel the streets of Cleve for up to 100 miles per "fill-up."
The plan is to install a hydrogen fueling station at the RTA garage in East Cleveland that will power a fuel cell bus.
"The purpose of the project is to demonstrate alternative energy technologies and build awareness for hydrogen fuel cells," reports WKSU's Jeff St. Clair. "Northeast Ohio is a center for fuel cell research. The state's Third Frontier Fuel Cell program, from 2003 to 2011, pumped $90 million into fuel cell research and manufacturing in Ohio."
For a great description on how fuel cells work, listen to this broadcast from WKSU.
northeast shores/collinwood scores huge placemaking grant from artplace
Of the 47 projects awarded grants from ArtPlace to support their use of the arts to improve quality of place and transform their communities, only one was from Ohio.
The creative placemaking grants totaled $15.4 million.
“Across the country, cities and towns are using the arts to help shape their social, physical, and economic characters,” said NEA Chairman Rocco Landesman. “The arts are a part of everyday life, and I am thrilled to see yet another example of arts organizations working with city, state, and federal offices to help strengthen and revitalize their communities through the arts. It is wonderful that ArtPlace and its funders have recognized this work and invested in it so generously.”
ArtPlace received almost 2200 letters of inquiry from organizations seeking a portion of the money available for grants. One of those letters came from Collinwood.
Using Art to Spark Redevelopment
Collinwood Rising
$500,000
Northeast Shores Development Corporation – Cleveland, OH
To creatively combat urban vacancy and foreclosure in Cleveland’s North Shore Collinwood neighborhood, Collinwood Rising will work with artists to establish replicable development models for artist space in older industrial cities, leveraging ongoing HUD and municipal investments.
Great news, Collinwood.
The creative placemaking grants totaled $15.4 million.
“Across the country, cities and towns are using the arts to help shape their social, physical, and economic characters,” said NEA Chairman Rocco Landesman. “The arts are a part of everyday life, and I am thrilled to see yet another example of arts organizations working with city, state, and federal offices to help strengthen and revitalize their communities through the arts. It is wonderful that ArtPlace and its funders have recognized this work and invested in it so generously.”
ArtPlace received almost 2200 letters of inquiry from organizations seeking a portion of the money available for grants. One of those letters came from Collinwood.
Using Art to Spark Redevelopment
Collinwood Rising
$500,000
Northeast Shores Development Corporation – Cleveland, OH
To creatively combat urban vacancy and foreclosure in Cleveland’s North Shore Collinwood neighborhood, Collinwood Rising will work with artists to establish replicable development models for artist space in older industrial cities, leveraging ongoing HUD and municipal investments.
Great news, Collinwood.
When the McDonald’s on Sloane Avenue in Lakewood closes this fall, it will be replaced by a considerably healthier happy meal option. The natural foods store Nature’s Bin will purchase the building and expand its catering operations there, hiring up to six new workers.
These new employees will be placed at Nature’s Bin through its owner, Cornucopis Inc., a nonprofit that prepares disabled individuals for the workforce by giving them real world experiences where they can interact with customers.
“This is an exciting time as we add additional space to expand our training program capacity, food services and catering,” stated Scott Duennes, Executive Director of Cornucopia/Nature’s Bin, in a news release. “It has always been part of our long-term vision to stay and grow in our local community.”
“Cornucopia provides a unique program that offers vocational training in a real-world environment,” said Terry Ryan, Superintendent of the Cuyahoga County Board of Developmental Disabilities (CCBDD). “CCBDD supports this endeavor and is excited about the prospect of the expansion of services to a greater number of individuals with disabilities.”
Nature’s Bin, a locally-owned Lakewood mainstay since 1975, faces intense competition from Earth Fare in Fairview Park and Heinen’s in Rocky River. A recent announcement that Whole Foods plans to open a store in Rocky River in 2014 will add to the surfeit of natural food options available on the west side.
The 8,000-square-foot store is smaller than its competitors, yet benefits from its loyal customer base and those who support its mission of training disabled adults. Nature’s Bin also offers a range of specialty products like gluten-free bread.
The Mcdonald’s in Lakewood is relocating to the site of the former Detroit Theatre, a historic building that was torn down -- over the protests of many Lakewood residents -- to accommodate a new building for the fast food venue.
Source: Nature’s Bin
Writer: Lee Chilcote
These new employees will be placed at Nature’s Bin through its owner, Cornucopis Inc., a nonprofit that prepares disabled individuals for the workforce by giving them real world experiences where they can interact with customers.
“This is an exciting time as we add additional space to expand our training program capacity, food services and catering,” stated Scott Duennes, Executive Director of Cornucopia/Nature’s Bin, in a news release. “It has always been part of our long-term vision to stay and grow in our local community.”
“Cornucopia provides a unique program that offers vocational training in a real-world environment,” said Terry Ryan, Superintendent of the Cuyahoga County Board of Developmental Disabilities (CCBDD). “CCBDD supports this endeavor and is excited about the prospect of the expansion of services to a greater number of individuals with disabilities.”
Nature’s Bin, a locally-owned Lakewood mainstay since 1975, faces intense competition from Earth Fare in Fairview Park and Heinen’s in Rocky River. A recent announcement that Whole Foods plans to open a store in Rocky River in 2014 will add to the surfeit of natural food options available on the west side.
The 8,000-square-foot store is smaller than its competitors, yet benefits from its loyal customer base and those who support its mission of training disabled adults. Nature’s Bin also offers a range of specialty products like gluten-free bread.
The Mcdonald’s in Lakewood is relocating to the site of the former Detroit Theatre, a historic building that was torn down -- over the protests of many Lakewood residents -- to accommodate a new building for the fast food venue.
Source: Nature’s Bin
Writer: Lee Chilcote
Downtown's growing base of residents and office employees, as well as the visitors coming into the city for the new Horseshoe Casino and other amenities, have spurred a mini restaurant boom here.
Many new venues are of the casual variety, offering tasty, reasonably-priced fare in a place where one would be as comfortable opening a laptop as wearing a tie.
The idea behind such fresh dining concepts is to cater to a gap in the downtown scene, which has plenty of destination dining spots and quick lunch joints but not many comfortable cafes in which to grab a sandwich or entree on a Wednesday night.
Three of these new restaurants -- Charka Exotic Indian Cuisine, BRGR 9 and El Guerro -- have recently opened on W. 9th Street. Traditionally, this has been a quiet corner of the Warehouse District, thus a perfect spot to add such options.
Charka is owned by purveyors who have a similar restaurant in State College, Pennsylvania. BRGR 9 is owned by the folks behind the ever-popular Heck's Cafe in Ohio City and offers more than two dozen types of jaw-dropping burgers (including veggie options). El Guerro specializes in fresh Mexican food.
Source: BRGR 9, Charka Exotic Indian Cuisine, El Guerro
Writer: Lee Chilcote
Many new venues are of the casual variety, offering tasty, reasonably-priced fare in a place where one would be as comfortable opening a laptop as wearing a tie.
The idea behind such fresh dining concepts is to cater to a gap in the downtown scene, which has plenty of destination dining spots and quick lunch joints but not many comfortable cafes in which to grab a sandwich or entree on a Wednesday night.
Three of these new restaurants -- Charka Exotic Indian Cuisine, BRGR 9 and El Guerro -- have recently opened on W. 9th Street. Traditionally, this has been a quiet corner of the Warehouse District, thus a perfect spot to add such options.
Charka is owned by purveyors who have a similar restaurant in State College, Pennsylvania. BRGR 9 is owned by the folks behind the ever-popular Heck's Cafe in Ohio City and offers more than two dozen types of jaw-dropping burgers (including veggie options). El Guerro specializes in fresh Mexican food.
Source: BRGR 9, Charka Exotic Indian Cuisine, El Guerro
Writer: Lee Chilcote
Global Cleveland will host a job coaching event on Saturday, June 23 to help people find a job in Northeast Ohio. Job coaches will be available by appointment to review resumes, provide job search resources or simply serve as a personal connection to Cleveland.
“It’s always been a part of our program,” says Global Cleveland president Larry Miller. “We have HR professionals who help newcomers with their job search. But this is the first time we’re doing it as an event.”
Global Cleveland has partnered with the Society for Human Resource Management Cleveland to provide job coaching. “We have a crew of 60 volunteer coaches signed up,” says Miller. “We are delighted about that partnership and how these HR professionals have participated in our program.”
Nearly 100 people have asked for job coaching assistance since February. Miller says participants usually have one of three questions: How do I find a job, what are the communities in Cleveland, and how do I start a business in Cleveland.
“We try to build a personal relationship,” says Miller. “The very first thing we do is shake their hand, look at them eyeball to eyeball and say, ‘You’ve come to the right place.’ We’re trying to get the word out that jobs are available in Cleveland and it’s a wonderful place.”
Appointments will be scheduled every 30 minutes beginning at 10 a.m. The last appointment will be scheduled for 1:30 p.m. All appointments must be scheduled and confirmed by Thursday, June 21. Contact Joel Matos at joel@globalcleveland.org or by calling (216) 472-3282.
Source: Larry Miller
Writer: Karin Connelly
“It’s always been a part of our program,” says Global Cleveland president Larry Miller. “We have HR professionals who help newcomers with their job search. But this is the first time we’re doing it as an event.”
Global Cleveland has partnered with the Society for Human Resource Management Cleveland to provide job coaching. “We have a crew of 60 volunteer coaches signed up,” says Miller. “We are delighted about that partnership and how these HR professionals have participated in our program.”
Nearly 100 people have asked for job coaching assistance since February. Miller says participants usually have one of three questions: How do I find a job, what are the communities in Cleveland, and how do I start a business in Cleveland.
“We try to build a personal relationship,” says Miller. “The very first thing we do is shake their hand, look at them eyeball to eyeball and say, ‘You’ve come to the right place.’ We’re trying to get the word out that jobs are available in Cleveland and it’s a wonderful place.”
Appointments will be scheduled every 30 minutes beginning at 10 a.m. The last appointment will be scheduled for 1:30 p.m. All appointments must be scheduled and confirmed by Thursday, June 21. Contact Joel Matos at joel@globalcleveland.org or by calling (216) 472-3282.
Source: Larry Miller
Writer: Karin Connelly
Born David Harrill in Mayfield Heights, "Dee Jay Doc" relocated with his wife to the Glenville neighborhood. By helping area youth write and record music, Doc is able to merge his professional talents with his passion to cultivate a better future for the children. Now, giving back to his community and city is his living.
npr reports on the positive influx of young, educated clevelanders
NPR's Morning Edition recently aired a story on Cleveland's rise in popularity with young, college-educated professionals.
"Blue-collar towns seem to be attracting a new generation of residents looking for an affordable urban lifestyle," reports David C. Barnett.
Richey Piiparinen, a researcher at Case Western Reserve University, was quoted in the piece as follows: "A lot of young people in Cleveland, Detroit and Pittsburgh whose parents grew up in the inner city, and whose parents left during the white flight movement -- they have this attraction to the roots that they never knew."
Listen to the entire broadcast here.
"Blue-collar towns seem to be attracting a new generation of residents looking for an affordable urban lifestyle," reports David C. Barnett.
Richey Piiparinen, a researcher at Case Western Reserve University, was quoted in the piece as follows: "A lot of young people in Cleveland, Detroit and Pittsburgh whose parents grew up in the inner city, and whose parents left during the white flight movement -- they have this attraction to the roots that they never knew."
Listen to the entire broadcast here.
In the book Retrofitting Suburbia, authors Ellen Dunham-Jones and June Williamson describe the need to retrofit new and old suburbs alike into sustainable, mixed-use areas that stem the tide of urban sprawl. Lakewood might be the region’s best example of that trend, with the city making moves to become more pedestrian and bike friendly while fostering a sense of place.
Team NEO and Cleveland State Maxine Goodman Levin College of Urban Affairs announced on June 6 that they have formed a strategic alliance that will create a powerhouse for attracting and retaining businesses to Northeast Ohio. The idea is to enhance the research capabilities of both organizations, which is key in promoting the region to new businesses.
“Team NEO, ever since it was created, has had top flight research,” explains Team NEO CEO Tom Waltermire. “It has been one of the secrets to our success. One of the ways we compete is to be able to give in-depth answers to companies’ questions. When we go out and sell the region, we have to have the facts for marketing.”
Daila Shimek of the Next Generation Economy Center of the Levin College will act as managing director of Team NEO’s research department. The partnership will allow the organizations to provide more comprehensive information to companies looking at Cleveland.
“We can provide a lot of information, like what the customer market might be or who the suppliers might be,” says Shimek. “Or mapping the drive time for potential employees or area colleges educating the workforce they need. That stuff is critical.”
Team NEO typically attracts about 12 companies to the region each year, translating into about 1,000 new jobs. With its new role as a local franchise of the JobsOhio program, Team NEO’s role has expanded even more.
“We’re now finding we’re assisting with the expansion of existing companies in the region,” says Waltermire. “They’re holding us responsible. The first priority in economic development is you grow the businesses that you have.”
Sources: Tom Waltermire, Daila Shimek
Writer: Karin Connelly
“Team NEO, ever since it was created, has had top flight research,” explains Team NEO CEO Tom Waltermire. “It has been one of the secrets to our success. One of the ways we compete is to be able to give in-depth answers to companies’ questions. When we go out and sell the region, we have to have the facts for marketing.”
Daila Shimek of the Next Generation Economy Center of the Levin College will act as managing director of Team NEO’s research department. The partnership will allow the organizations to provide more comprehensive information to companies looking at Cleveland.
“We can provide a lot of information, like what the customer market might be or who the suppliers might be,” says Shimek. “Or mapping the drive time for potential employees or area colleges educating the workforce they need. That stuff is critical.”
Team NEO typically attracts about 12 companies to the region each year, translating into about 1,000 new jobs. With its new role as a local franchise of the JobsOhio program, Team NEO’s role has expanded even more.
“We’re now finding we’re assisting with the expansion of existing companies in the region,” says Waltermire. “They’re holding us responsible. The first priority in economic development is you grow the businesses that you have.”
Sources: Tom Waltermire, Daila Shimek
Writer: Karin Connelly
cleveland, the 'new portlandia'?
In his blog Burgh Diaspora, Jim Russell frequently covers the topic of reverse migration, where Rust Belt cities are seeing an influx of young residents thanks to a multitude of factors. Russell, a geographer studying the relationship between migration and economic development, calls the trend "Rust Belt Chic."
Recently, Russell, who lives in Pittsburgh, toured Cleveland to gather some on-the-ground research. He liked what he saw.
"I flew into Cleveland early last Saturday with the downtown rebound in mind. I wanted to see if the view from the sidewalk matched the data analysis. Leading up to the business trip, I was semi-joking with Richey that Cleveland was turning into Portland, OR. Investigating the West Side, I quipped that Cleveland was already Portland. I was (am) dead serious."
Read the rest of this and many other compelling posts here.
Recently, Russell, who lives in Pittsburgh, toured Cleveland to gather some on-the-ground research. He liked what he saw.
"I flew into Cleveland early last Saturday with the downtown rebound in mind. I wanted to see if the view from the sidewalk matched the data analysis. Leading up to the business trip, I was semi-joking with Richey that Cleveland was turning into Portland, OR. Investigating the West Side, I quipped that Cleveland was already Portland. I was (am) dead serious."
Read the rest of this and many other compelling posts here.
The Fund for Our Economic Future approved $5.035 million in grants to go to seven regional economic development organizations to continue their work in developing companies and bringing jobs to the Northeast Ohio.
The organizations are: NorTech, JumpStart, BioEnterprise, Team NEO, MAGNET, WorkAdvance and the Agriculture-Bioscience Industry Cluster. The organizations specialize in everything from entrepreneurship and technology to healthcare, manufacturing and bioscience, to general business attraction.
“Although funding was down 15 percent this year, the good news is the impact of these grantees continues to go up,” says Brad Whitehead, president of the Fund. “There’s a real sense of momentum in the work of these great teams.”
Many of the organizations have expanded their support of businesses by working together to accomplish the common goal of attracting, retaining and supporting businesses in Northeast Ohio. “Most of them have done a great job of expanding,” says Whitehead. “It’s gratifying to hear stories of companies touched by multiple organizations. To see them surrounded with support is great.”
The grantees are chosen based on four criteria: tangible data like job creation; what the organization is doing to promote its respective niche industry; the organization’s efforts to network with other organizations; and assurance of a plan for economic inclusion.
The Fund is a collaboration of philanthropic organizations and individuals that have united to strengthen the economic competitiveness of Northeast Ohio through grant making, research and civic engagement.
Source: Brad Whitehead
Writer: Karin Connelly
The organizations are: NorTech, JumpStart, BioEnterprise, Team NEO, MAGNET, WorkAdvance and the Agriculture-Bioscience Industry Cluster. The organizations specialize in everything from entrepreneurship and technology to healthcare, manufacturing and bioscience, to general business attraction.
“Although funding was down 15 percent this year, the good news is the impact of these grantees continues to go up,” says Brad Whitehead, president of the Fund. “There’s a real sense of momentum in the work of these great teams.”
Many of the organizations have expanded their support of businesses by working together to accomplish the common goal of attracting, retaining and supporting businesses in Northeast Ohio. “Most of them have done a great job of expanding,” says Whitehead. “It’s gratifying to hear stories of companies touched by multiple organizations. To see them surrounded with support is great.”
The grantees are chosen based on four criteria: tangible data like job creation; what the organization is doing to promote its respective niche industry; the organization’s efforts to network with other organizations; and assurance of a plan for economic inclusion.
The Fund is a collaboration of philanthropic organizations and individuals that have united to strengthen the economic competitiveness of Northeast Ohio through grant making, research and civic engagement.
Source: Brad Whitehead
Writer: Karin Connelly
668 Euclid Avenue, a downtown apartment building with a months-long waiting list for its popular refurbished apartments, recently welcomed a new coffee house and cafe that aims to be a community hub for residents who have chosen the city center.
Operator Mickey D'Angelo says he co-founded Nexus Cafe with Gateway Church of Downtown Cleveland to act as a "third place," those spaces outside of work and home that bring people together. There currently are few options outside of bars, he says.
Although the evening coffeehouse has been slow to catch on, lunch business is booming. The full service menu includes grilled flat bread pizzas, wraps, sandwiches, salads and soups. The kitchen staff makes almost everything from scratch, and much of the food is sourced locally from area farmers.
"We make almost everything in house, down to the mayonnaise," says D'Angelo. "For example, the whole wheat flour that we use to make our pizza dough comes from a farmer in Ravenna, and then we finish the pizzas to order in our oven."
D'Angelo has traveled to Sumatra to buy coffee directly from farmers, and the church plans to reinvest profits back into the community. A 170-seat venue exists in the back of the cafe, and Nexus will begin hosting concerts there this month.
Source: Mickey D'Angelo
Writer: Lee Chilcote
Operator Mickey D'Angelo says he co-founded Nexus Cafe with Gateway Church of Downtown Cleveland to act as a "third place," those spaces outside of work and home that bring people together. There currently are few options outside of bars, he says.
Although the evening coffeehouse has been slow to catch on, lunch business is booming. The full service menu includes grilled flat bread pizzas, wraps, sandwiches, salads and soups. The kitchen staff makes almost everything from scratch, and much of the food is sourced locally from area farmers.
"We make almost everything in house, down to the mayonnaise," says D'Angelo. "For example, the whole wheat flour that we use to make our pizza dough comes from a farmer in Ravenna, and then we finish the pizzas to order in our oven."
D'Angelo has traveled to Sumatra to buy coffee directly from farmers, and the church plans to reinvest profits back into the community. A 170-seat venue exists in the back of the cafe, and Nexus will begin hosting concerts there this month.
Source: Mickey D'Angelo
Writer: Lee Chilcote