Downtown
Vocon, a Cleveland architecture and design firm, had been looking for a way to improve its partnership with BDG Architecture and Design in London. The two firms have had a partnership for a couple of years, but they wanted to take it a step further. So they sent Vocon project designer Lindsey Masarik to London for three weeks in May, while BDG associate Geoff Anderson came to Cleveland in a job swap.
“We discovered the firms had a lot of the same philosophies,” says Susan Austin, head of human resources and strategic marketing for Vocon. “We decided to do a swap to find out how we could do things better.”
The exposure to new cultures was highly stimulating for Masarik and Anderson. Both employees noticed that design is dictated by the amount of space available. Cleveland has more space, while real estate is at a premium in London.
“You’re working with a smaller footprint in London,” says Anderson. “It dictates the way you approach your design. It was interesting to see how the American market works.”
Both Anderson and Masarik say it was great experience. “We have the confidence we could work together, we approach things in the same way,” says Anderson. “If we have a joint project we could be in the same room and feel comfortable with each other. It’s an opportunity I hope everyone can experience. It’s very beneficial.”
Sources: Lyndsey Masarik, Geoff Anderson, Susan Austin
Writer: Karin Connelly
“We discovered the firms had a lot of the same philosophies,” says Susan Austin, head of human resources and strategic marketing for Vocon. “We decided to do a swap to find out how we could do things better.”
The exposure to new cultures was highly stimulating for Masarik and Anderson. Both employees noticed that design is dictated by the amount of space available. Cleveland has more space, while real estate is at a premium in London.
“You’re working with a smaller footprint in London,” says Anderson. “It dictates the way you approach your design. It was interesting to see how the American market works.”
Both Anderson and Masarik say it was great experience. “We have the confidence we could work together, we approach things in the same way,” says Anderson. “If we have a joint project we could be in the same room and feel comfortable with each other. It’s an opportunity I hope everyone can experience. It’s very beneficial.”
Sources: Lyndsey Masarik, Geoff Anderson, Susan Austin
Writer: Karin Connelly
hgtv’s front door praises cycling in cleveland
Once a center of industry and mass-production, Cleveland is becoming recognized for green initiatives and sustainability. What a turn of events for the place we call home.
The latest bump of good press comes in the form of HGTV's article, "The 10 Greatest Cycling Cities in America."
“The underdog of this list, this historic rust belt city is home to an impassioned and persevering community of bike riders." states the writer.
In comparison to the leaders on the list, which contain the likes of Portland, New York, and San Francisco, it is easy to see why Cleveland is once again referred to as an “underdog.”
"Cleveland was one of the first cities in the country to temporarily close streets to motorized traffic so they can be enjoyed by cyclists and pedestrians," say local rider Jeff Sugalski.”
The article also notes, “Another exciting feature of Cleveland's urban cycling scene is its Metroparks, or nature preserves with walking, hiking and bicycling trails along river paths and creeks.”
The latest bump of good press comes in the form of HGTV's article, "The 10 Greatest Cycling Cities in America."
“The underdog of this list, this historic rust belt city is home to an impassioned and persevering community of bike riders." states the writer.
In comparison to the leaders on the list, which contain the likes of Portland, New York, and San Francisco, it is easy to see why Cleveland is once again referred to as an “underdog.”
"Cleveland was one of the first cities in the country to temporarily close streets to motorized traffic so they can be enjoyed by cyclists and pedestrians," say local rider Jeff Sugalski.”
The article also notes, “Another exciting feature of Cleveland's urban cycling scene is its Metroparks, or nature preserves with walking, hiking and bicycling trails along river paths and creeks.”
Check out the full series in addition to the Cleveland piece here.
cleveland’s trans fat ban draws national attention
In light of New York City Mayor Michael Bloomberg proposing a ban on the sale of large-sized sugary drinks, Joe Palazzolo of the Wall Street Journal points out that citizens need to look no further than Cleveland, Ohio, when it comes to local government determining what can and cannot be consumed by residents and guests.
“The Cleveland city council passed a law last year to ban restaurants from using cooking oils containing trans fats.”
In the meantime, those both for and against the ban have been battling it out in court whether it is within the local government’s jurisdiction to impose such a ban.
On Monday, June 11, “Cuyahoga County Judge Nancy Russo sided with the city, finding that Cleveland was within its powers to outlaw trans fatty cooking oils.”
This might serve as proof that local government may have more say about what its citizens can and cannot do than anyone ever thought.
Read the full WSJ story here.
“The Cleveland city council passed a law last year to ban restaurants from using cooking oils containing trans fats.”
In the meantime, those both for and against the ban have been battling it out in court whether it is within the local government’s jurisdiction to impose such a ban.
On Monday, June 11, “Cuyahoga County Judge Nancy Russo sided with the city, finding that Cleveland was within its powers to outlaw trans fatty cooking oils.”
This might serve as proof that local government may have more say about what its citizens can and cannot do than anyone ever thought.
Read the full WSJ story here.
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.
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
Groundworks Dance Theater recently presented an original work choreographed by Lynne Taylor-Corbett that featured rousing Broadway-style choreography set to the music of the 80s band the Pretenders.
The show wasn't exactly what comes to mind when one thinks of contemporary dance, and audiences loved it. Groundworks General Manager Beth Rutkowski says her organization is using performances like this to reach new audiences in Cleveland.
"There are a lot of people who say, 'I'm not really a modern dance person and modern dance is weird,'" says Rutkowski. "Yet if we're able to get them in the door, they find our work is extremely accessible. It's getting past that barrier."
Connecting diverse, new audiences to Cleveland's rich arts and culture groups is the purpose of Engaging the Future, an initiative by the Cleveland Foundation to help arts organizations think differently about how to grow their audiences.
"It's about more than just putting butts in seats," says Rutkowski. "We're looking at ways to engage different people and a more diverse audience. Audiences for many arts organizations in Cleveland are getting older and are for the most part white. We want to look at new ways of thinking and share best practices."
Some of the new ideas Groundworks is considering include collaborating with other groups; stressing a more interactive relationship with its audience; offering performances online for younger audiences that want to "self-curate"; hosting evening gatherings of creative individuals, including entrepreneurs, to explore the relationship between art and creativity; and developing a series of videos called "It's Your Move" that connect dance to regular, everyday body movements.
Engaging the Future recently released a survey and hopes to glean audience information from it that will help organizations to chart a course in the future.
Source: Beth Rutkowski, Kristin Puch
Writer: Lee Chilcote
The show wasn't exactly what comes to mind when one thinks of contemporary dance, and audiences loved it. Groundworks General Manager Beth Rutkowski says her organization is using performances like this to reach new audiences in Cleveland.
"There are a lot of people who say, 'I'm not really a modern dance person and modern dance is weird,'" says Rutkowski. "Yet if we're able to get them in the door, they find our work is extremely accessible. It's getting past that barrier."
Connecting diverse, new audiences to Cleveland's rich arts and culture groups is the purpose of Engaging the Future, an initiative by the Cleveland Foundation to help arts organizations think differently about how to grow their audiences.
"It's about more than just putting butts in seats," says Rutkowski. "We're looking at ways to engage different people and a more diverse audience. Audiences for many arts organizations in Cleveland are getting older and are for the most part white. We want to look at new ways of thinking and share best practices."
Some of the new ideas Groundworks is considering include collaborating with other groups; stressing a more interactive relationship with its audience; offering performances online for younger audiences that want to "self-curate"; hosting evening gatherings of creative individuals, including entrepreneurs, to explore the relationship between art and creativity; and developing a series of videos called "It's Your Move" that connect dance to regular, everyday body movements.
Engaging the Future recently released a survey and hopes to glean audience information from it that will help organizations to chart a course in the future.
Source: Beth Rutkowski, Kristin Puch
Writer: Lee Chilcote
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.
Before a packed house at Severance Hall, Cleveland Foundation President Ronn Richard touted the city's accomplishments in becoming a hub of innovation and taking bold steps to address big problems at the foundation's annual meeting this Tuesday.
Waxing poetic on the gilded stage for a moment, Richard harkened back to the foundation's early days in the 1910's as a time of tremendous innovation in Cleveland. "I still wonder if the past might be prologue," he mused, noting that the foundation's centennial is just two years away. "Can we envision the spirit of a second renaissance in Cleveland?"
Richard also posed a challenge to civic leaders to remain focused on true economic development and social change within the city. "Physical development, as wonderful as it is, must be coupled with investment in people and placemaking," he said, noting that the building spree of the 1990s was too focused on bricks and mortar projects. "We need to invest in connecting communities."
Among the foundation's projects, Richard touted the Cleveland schools plan that recently passed the state legislature, ongoing investments in high quality urban education, economic development programs such as the HealthTech Corridor and the Evergreen Cooperatives, and programs to connect new audiences to the arts.
Richard also told the audience that later this year the Cleveland Foundation will unveil a new microlending program for entrepreneurs seeking loans under $50,000 to help spur job creation and assist the creation of startups.
Source: Ronn Richard
Writer: Lee Chilcote
Waxing poetic on the gilded stage for a moment, Richard harkened back to the foundation's early days in the 1910's as a time of tremendous innovation in Cleveland. "I still wonder if the past might be prologue," he mused, noting that the foundation's centennial is just two years away. "Can we envision the spirit of a second renaissance in Cleveland?"
Richard also posed a challenge to civic leaders to remain focused on true economic development and social change within the city. "Physical development, as wonderful as it is, must be coupled with investment in people and placemaking," he said, noting that the building spree of the 1990s was too focused on bricks and mortar projects. "We need to invest in connecting communities."
Among the foundation's projects, Richard touted the Cleveland schools plan that recently passed the state legislature, ongoing investments in high quality urban education, economic development programs such as the HealthTech Corridor and the Evergreen Cooperatives, and programs to connect new audiences to the arts.
Richard also told the audience that later this year the Cleveland Foundation will unveil a new microlending program for entrepreneurs seeking loans under $50,000 to help spur job creation and assist the creation of startups.
Source: Ronn Richard
Writer: Lee Chilcote
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.
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
The Cleveland Carbon Fund has announced three grant awards totaling $15,000 for 2012, including an ambitious effort to increase the number of bike commuters in Cleveland, a backyard composting initiative in Tremont, and a project to make homes in the Central neighborhood more energy-efficient.
Bike Cleveland's project, Creating a Mode Shift, will provide riders with the tools, tips and advice on how to commute to work in Cleveland. The effort includes a commuter challenge in which individuals and teams can compete and win prizes, a guide to navigating bike commuting, and outreach to employers to help incentivize more employees to ride to work.
Tremont West Development Corporation will initiate a Residential Composting Program that will distribute bins to local residents, encourage participants to reduce their waste, and track how much is saved from landfills. The program is offered in partnership with the Cuyahoga County Solid Waste District.
Burton Bell Carr Development Corporation's project, Heritage View Model Block Sustainability Program, will make homes in the Central neighborhood more energy-efficient by switching out incandescent bulbs for compact fluorescent bulbs, adding sink aerators, and installing low-flow shower heads.
The Cleveland Carbon Fund was created in 2009 by the City of Cleveland, Green City Blue Lake Institute at the Cleveland Museum of Natural History, Gund Foundation, Cleveland Foundation and Cleveland Clinic. Its goal, as Carbon Fund Fellow Joanne Neugebauer puts it, is to "think globally, green locally." The Carbon Fund is the first community-based, open-access fund in the U.S.
Source: Joanne Neugebauer
Writer: Lee Chilcote
Bike Cleveland's project, Creating a Mode Shift, will provide riders with the tools, tips and advice on how to commute to work in Cleveland. The effort includes a commuter challenge in which individuals and teams can compete and win prizes, a guide to navigating bike commuting, and outreach to employers to help incentivize more employees to ride to work.
Tremont West Development Corporation will initiate a Residential Composting Program that will distribute bins to local residents, encourage participants to reduce their waste, and track how much is saved from landfills. The program is offered in partnership with the Cuyahoga County Solid Waste District.
Burton Bell Carr Development Corporation's project, Heritage View Model Block Sustainability Program, will make homes in the Central neighborhood more energy-efficient by switching out incandescent bulbs for compact fluorescent bulbs, adding sink aerators, and installing low-flow shower heads.
The Cleveland Carbon Fund was created in 2009 by the City of Cleveland, Green City Blue Lake Institute at the Cleveland Museum of Natural History, Gund Foundation, Cleveland Foundation and Cleveland Clinic. Its goal, as Carbon Fund Fellow Joanne Neugebauer puts it, is to "think globally, green locally." The Carbon Fund is the first community-based, open-access fund in the U.S.
Source: Joanne Neugebauer
Writer: Lee Chilcote
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.
Santina Protopapa is a self-professed high school "band nerd" who learned about hip hop while organizing a Rock Hall conference, then used it as a launching bad to start her own arts nonprofit.
Ten years later, the Progressive Arts Alliance (PAA) serves more than 1,000 students across Northeast Ohio every week through hip hop arts education.
"Our students have really grown to be leaders through hip hop," says Protopapa, a percussionist and DJ who teaches rap, hip hop, dance, film and animation. "Teachers are excited because they have no way to present this stuff in a meaningful way to their kids. They tell us, 'We could never have done this without you.'"
Last month, the PA All-Stars, a group of five high school and college students who write and perform their own original hip hop tunes, had a chance to perform on stage at the Kennedy Center in Washington D.C. The event was part of a program called "What's Going on Now" which celebrated the 40th anniversary of Marvin Gaye's famous album. The PA All-Stars also ended up on PBS News Hour.
"It was really cool to have the opportunity to present their work to a larger audience," says Protopapa. "Normally our shows are attended by parents."
On August 11th, PAA will celebrate its 10th anniversary with an event called Ten Years of Rhapsody at the House of Blues in Cleveland. The fundraiser will feature a tribute to Cleveland break dancing legends Project Five featuring Councilman Matt Zone, the Corporate Cleveland's Best Dance Crew crew competition, live dance performances and hands-on art experiences for people of all ages.
Source: Santina Protopapa
Writer: Lee Chilcote
Ten years later, the Progressive Arts Alliance (PAA) serves more than 1,000 students across Northeast Ohio every week through hip hop arts education.
"Our students have really grown to be leaders through hip hop," says Protopapa, a percussionist and DJ who teaches rap, hip hop, dance, film and animation. "Teachers are excited because they have no way to present this stuff in a meaningful way to their kids. They tell us, 'We could never have done this without you.'"
Last month, the PA All-Stars, a group of five high school and college students who write and perform their own original hip hop tunes, had a chance to perform on stage at the Kennedy Center in Washington D.C. The event was part of a program called "What's Going on Now" which celebrated the 40th anniversary of Marvin Gaye's famous album. The PA All-Stars also ended up on PBS News Hour.
"It was really cool to have the opportunity to present their work to a larger audience," says Protopapa. "Normally our shows are attended by parents."
On August 11th, PAA will celebrate its 10th anniversary with an event called Ten Years of Rhapsody at the House of Blues in Cleveland. The fundraiser will feature a tribute to Cleveland break dancing legends Project Five featuring Councilman Matt Zone, the Corporate Cleveland's Best Dance Crew crew competition, live dance performances and hands-on art experiences for people of all ages.
Source: Santina Protopapa
Writer: Lee Chilcote
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
Nine northeast Ohio minority companies were recognized on May 22 at the JumpStart offices as inaugural members of the Charter One Launch100 Leadership Circle. The Circle recognizes diverse entrepreneurs committed to turning their business ideas into some of the region’s most impactful minority-owned or led companies.
“It was a really wonderful event,” says Gloria Ware, JumpStart senior advisor. “It was a really good example of companies that are willing to grow jobs and keep moving forward.”
Minorities account for 40 percent of the entrepreneurial community, yet many of the companies have only one or two employees. These nine companies are on track to have an average of 50 employees in the next three to five years.
“We would like to highlight these entrepreneurs who are mentors or role models to other minority entrepreneurs in the community,” says Ware. “Entrepreneurs in general can feel very overwhelmed and alone in their business. I think this was a good event for them to move forward.”
The nine companies are: Algae Producers of America, CFRC Water & Energy Solutions; MET Innovations; OPTIMA Lender Services; Queen Ann Inc.; RKN Corporation; Simply Southern Sides; Wellness Integrated Network; and Zuga Medical.
Ware says the event was also beneficial for the Charter One bankers in attendance. “They got to hear some of the entrepreneur’s struggles,” she says. “It was a win-win for everyone.”
Source: Gloria Ware
Writer: Karin Connelly
“It was a really wonderful event,” says Gloria Ware, JumpStart senior advisor. “It was a really good example of companies that are willing to grow jobs and keep moving forward.”
Minorities account for 40 percent of the entrepreneurial community, yet many of the companies have only one or two employees. These nine companies are on track to have an average of 50 employees in the next three to five years.
“We would like to highlight these entrepreneurs who are mentors or role models to other minority entrepreneurs in the community,” says Ware. “Entrepreneurs in general can feel very overwhelmed and alone in their business. I think this was a good event for them to move forward.”
The nine companies are: Algae Producers of America, CFRC Water & Energy Solutions; MET Innovations; OPTIMA Lender Services; Queen Ann Inc.; RKN Corporation; Simply Southern Sides; Wellness Integrated Network; and Zuga Medical.
Ware says the event was also beneficial for the Charter One bankers in attendance. “They got to hear some of the entrepreneur’s struggles,” she says. “It was a win-win for everyone.”
Source: Gloria Ware
Writer: Karin Connelly