Downtown
In an effort to inspire area students to think about clean energy, this year's Clean Energy Challenge will be open to local college students. NorTech is heading up Ohio’s participation in the business plan contest, sponsored by Clean Energy Trust in Chicago.
“The point of the challenge is to institute more technology transfer out of the universities,” explains Dave Karpinski, NorTech vice president. “It’s a business plan competition that focuses on clean energy technology.”
Students from Ohio colleges are invited to submit their plans in five categories: renewable energy, low-carbon transportation, Smart Grid, energy efficiency and carbon abatement. Participants in the first round submit their ideas and video presentations to compete for $10,000. The top three teams from Ohio will then go on to the regional competition, where they will receive extensive mentoring and compete for $100,000.
“They have an intense mentoring team and help fine tune their ideas,” says Karpinski. “They get lots of support behind them to develop their ideas. That’s what’s really exciting about this competition.”
Although there is a cash prize involved, Karpinski says the competition is really about encouraging new ideas and encouraging students to think about clean energy technology. “It’s not about the prize, it’s that students can get exposure to the different sectors,” he says. “It’s a great and noble mission.”
Source: Dave Karpinski
Writer: Karin Connelly
“The point of the challenge is to institute more technology transfer out of the universities,” explains Dave Karpinski, NorTech vice president. “It’s a business plan competition that focuses on clean energy technology.”
Students from Ohio colleges are invited to submit their plans in five categories: renewable energy, low-carbon transportation, Smart Grid, energy efficiency and carbon abatement. Participants in the first round submit their ideas and video presentations to compete for $10,000. The top three teams from Ohio will then go on to the regional competition, where they will receive extensive mentoring and compete for $100,000.
“They have an intense mentoring team and help fine tune their ideas,” says Karpinski. “They get lots of support behind them to develop their ideas. That’s what’s really exciting about this competition.”
Although there is a cash prize involved, Karpinski says the competition is really about encouraging new ideas and encouraging students to think about clean energy technology. “It’s not about the prize, it’s that students can get exposure to the different sectors,” he says. “It’s a great and noble mission.”
Source: Dave Karpinski
Writer: Karin Connelly
The building boom kicking up dust in downtown Cleveland soon will give visitors to the Medical Mart, Convention Center and Horseshoe Casino another spot to lay their heads after a night out on the town. Optima Ventures and Sage Hospitality have purchased the former Crowne Plaza Cleveland City Centre hotel and plan to spend $64 million to renovate it into a new, luxurious 481-room Westin Hotel.
The project was spurred by an anticipated influx of visitors to downtown Cleveland, the developer said in a press release. "This is the perfect time for a four-star luxury hotel to be entering the downtown Cleveland market, and we expect to see strong occupancy from both business and leisure travelers," said Ken Geist, Executive Vice President and Partner at Sage Hospitality.
The developers plan to remodel all of the hotel rooms, meeting spaces and public spaces and add energy-efficient windows, a new roof and other exterior improvements. When the new Westin opens in July 2013, it will feature a high-end restaurant with outdoor dining space, a business center, fitness center and a spa. The hotel is expected to employ between 300 and 350 individuals.
The Cleveland International Fund, which operates a federal Eb-5 zone that permits wealthy foreign investors to expedite obtaining U.S. visas if they invest at least $500k in a project that creates jobs, has committed $36 million to the project. The Fund, which was also a critical force in the Flats East Bank project, is becoming an increasingly visible player in urban redevelopment.
The project will also likely be funded by a tax increment financing agreement with the City of Cleveland and the Cleveland-Cuyahoga Port Authority, as well as the sale of bonds. Both are still in the works and have not yet been finalized.
The developers plan to shut down the Crowne Plaza hotel in November to start construction.
Source: Sage Hospitality
Writer: Lee Chilcote
The project was spurred by an anticipated influx of visitors to downtown Cleveland, the developer said in a press release. "This is the perfect time for a four-star luxury hotel to be entering the downtown Cleveland market, and we expect to see strong occupancy from both business and leisure travelers," said Ken Geist, Executive Vice President and Partner at Sage Hospitality.
The developers plan to remodel all of the hotel rooms, meeting spaces and public spaces and add energy-efficient windows, a new roof and other exterior improvements. When the new Westin opens in July 2013, it will feature a high-end restaurant with outdoor dining space, a business center, fitness center and a spa. The hotel is expected to employ between 300 and 350 individuals.
The Cleveland International Fund, which operates a federal Eb-5 zone that permits wealthy foreign investors to expedite obtaining U.S. visas if they invest at least $500k in a project that creates jobs, has committed $36 million to the project. The Fund, which was also a critical force in the Flats East Bank project, is becoming an increasingly visible player in urban redevelopment.
The project will also likely be funded by a tax increment financing agreement with the City of Cleveland and the Cleveland-Cuyahoga Port Authority, as well as the sale of bonds. Both are still in the works and have not yet been finalized.
The developers plan to shut down the Crowne Plaza hotel in November to start construction.
Source: Sage Hospitality
Writer: Lee Chilcote
eater.com runs round-up of can't-miss cleveland restos
Eater.com, a national website that covers restaurants, chefs and food personalities, recently ran an article titled "The Eater Cleveland Heat Map." A regular feature of the publication, the Heat Maps tell readers about "newish locales that have been garnering serious buzz."
For the Cleveland article, Eater's second major heat-check of the 216 in a year, the pub asked local food writer (and Fresh Water managing editor) Douglas Trattner to list 10 new places that have locals talking, drooling and, of course, eating. Singled out for inclusion are Crop Bistro, Flour, Ginko, Market Garden Brewery, Noodlecat, Orale, Barroco Grill, Luna Bakery, Dragonfly and Club Isabella.
Accompanying those listings is an interactive map.
In addition to the national version of Eater, the website features city-specific sites devoted to foodie locales such as New York, Chicago, Portland and Seattle. For now, Cleveland will have to fall under the province of Eater National.
Digest the entire meal here.
For the Cleveland article, Eater's second major heat-check of the 216 in a year, the pub asked local food writer (and Fresh Water managing editor) Douglas Trattner to list 10 new places that have locals talking, drooling and, of course, eating. Singled out for inclusion are Crop Bistro, Flour, Ginko, Market Garden Brewery, Noodlecat, Orale, Barroco Grill, Luna Bakery, Dragonfly and Club Isabella.
Accompanying those listings is an interactive map.
In addition to the national version of Eater, the website features city-specific sites devoted to foodie locales such as New York, Chicago, Portland and Seattle. For now, Cleveland will have to fall under the province of Eater National.
Digest the entire meal here.
SironRX Therapeutics, which spun out of Juventas Therapeutics and the Cleveland Clinic almost a year ago, is finding marked success in healing wounds. The company received $1 million in Third Frontier funding to continue clinical trials in wound healing.
“What we observed at Juventas in treatments for heart disease, we have observed in wound treatment with the same product,” explains Rahul Aras, SironRX president and CEO. “With SRX100, we accelerate treatment in dermal wounds and prevent scarring. While normal healing occurs in about 21 days, healing occurred 20 to 30 percent faster with significantly less scarring with our product.”
The product will be used in post-surgical incisions, chronic diabetic ulcers and burns. SironRX’s goal is to develop a cost-effective interactive wound therapy that can be topically administered with the potential to significantly improve function of the damaged tissue.
“It’s a great concept, applying concepts that make the body heal,” Aras says. “Repairing injured organs to heal themselves, I think that’s pretty exciting.”
As clinical trials continue, SironRX will be ramping up a full-time management teams, including a full-time CEO, and operational staff.
Source: Rahul Aras
Writer: Karin Connelly
“What we observed at Juventas in treatments for heart disease, we have observed in wound treatment with the same product,” explains Rahul Aras, SironRX president and CEO. “With SRX100, we accelerate treatment in dermal wounds and prevent scarring. While normal healing occurs in about 21 days, healing occurred 20 to 30 percent faster with significantly less scarring with our product.”
The product will be used in post-surgical incisions, chronic diabetic ulcers and burns. SironRX’s goal is to develop a cost-effective interactive wound therapy that can be topically administered with the potential to significantly improve function of the damaged tissue.
“It’s a great concept, applying concepts that make the body heal,” Aras says. “Repairing injured organs to heal themselves, I think that’s pretty exciting.”
As clinical trials continue, SironRX will be ramping up a full-time management teams, including a full-time CEO, and operational staff.
Source: Rahul Aras
Writer: Karin Connelly
tribe's soon-to-be-installed wind turbine generating green buzz
"There will soon be a new homerun target for batters at Progressive Field," writes Alice Henly, a research fellow with the Natural Resources Defense Council. "At the top of the south-east corner of the ballpark, down the first base line, the Cleveland Indians will be installing a micro wind turbine in March 2012."
The Tribe has partnered with Cleveland State University’s Fenn College of Engineering on the project, which features an innovative helical design. The 18-foot wide cylinder rotates constantly to find the most turbulent wind to keep the four 6-foot turbines spinning. The project hopefully will boost regional renewable job opportunities by providing a real-world test of a locally-manufactured technology.
The turbine is anticipated to generate a minimum of 40,000 kWh/year, the amount of energy it takes to power four average American households for a year. The turbine joins the Tribe's other green measures, including a 42-panel solar electric system, a comprehensive composting program, only purchasing paper products made of 100 percent post consumer content, and only using Green Seal certified cleaning products.
Read the rest of the program here.
The Tribe has partnered with Cleveland State University’s Fenn College of Engineering on the project, which features an innovative helical design. The 18-foot wide cylinder rotates constantly to find the most turbulent wind to keep the four 6-foot turbines spinning. The project hopefully will boost regional renewable job opportunities by providing a real-world test of a locally-manufactured technology.
The turbine is anticipated to generate a minimum of 40,000 kWh/year, the amount of energy it takes to power four average American households for a year. The turbine joins the Tribe's other green measures, including a 42-panel solar electric system, a comprehensive composting program, only purchasing paper products made of 100 percent post consumer content, and only using Green Seal certified cleaning products.
Read the rest of the program here.
tribe's snow days hailed as 'best solution yet' for empty stadium
"There's only one thing more depressing come October than the end of baseball season: the sight of an empty ballpark," Emily Badger writes for The Atlantic. "It's a bitter scene for baseball lovers. But it’s an economic conundrum for cities, too."
Noting that most cities with both pro baseball and football teams now possess separate stadiums for each, the article points out the economic imprudence of multimillion dollar structures that attract tourists just 81 days out of the year.
But what to do with an open-air baseball stadium in the Midwest in mid-winter? the writer asks rhetorically.
"Progressive Field in Cleveland may have come up with the best solution yet to the empty ballpark. Last year for the first time, the team converted the field into a vast winter playground," says the writer, referring to Snow Days.
“When you have lemons, you make lemonade,” says the Cleveland Indians' Kurt Schloss. “In our particular case, we wanted to embrace the cold, embrace Northeast Ohio, because that’s what it is. You can’t put up palm trees and hope for sand.”
New this year is an ice rink that will host youth hockey tournaments and the Jan. 15 marquee matchup between Ohio State and the University of Michigan, which is expected to sell-out of the stadium.
"This is really kind of a brand new concept, it’s taking it into a wholly new dimension,” says Joe Marinucci from Downtown Cleveland Alliance. “I can’t imagine why a franchise would not want to use a facility like this,” he says, “when normally it would be dormant for four or five months.”
Read the rest of the report here.
Noting that most cities with both pro baseball and football teams now possess separate stadiums for each, the article points out the economic imprudence of multimillion dollar structures that attract tourists just 81 days out of the year.
But what to do with an open-air baseball stadium in the Midwest in mid-winter? the writer asks rhetorically.
"Progressive Field in Cleveland may have come up with the best solution yet to the empty ballpark. Last year for the first time, the team converted the field into a vast winter playground," says the writer, referring to Snow Days.
“When you have lemons, you make lemonade,” says the Cleveland Indians' Kurt Schloss. “In our particular case, we wanted to embrace the cold, embrace Northeast Ohio, because that’s what it is. You can’t put up palm trees and hope for sand.”
New this year is an ice rink that will host youth hockey tournaments and the Jan. 15 marquee matchup between Ohio State and the University of Michigan, which is expected to sell-out of the stadium.
"This is really kind of a brand new concept, it’s taking it into a wholly new dimension,” says Joe Marinucci from Downtown Cleveland Alliance. “I can’t imagine why a franchise would not want to use a facility like this,” he says, “when normally it would be dormant for four or five months.”
Read the rest of the report here.
While U.S. job growth overall might be stuck in neutral, IT professionals should be chomping at the bit. Experts say technology occupations will be at the leading edge of job growth for at least the next decade. Better still: Three of the hottest cities for IT jobs right now are here in Ohio.
Young, tech-based companies have a major impact on Northeast Ohio’s economy. In a report created by Cleveland State University and commissioned by JumpStart, 90 startup companies generated $155 million in revenue and created 1,000 jobs in 2010.
“Our objective with this report is to make sure people know why entrepreneurship is important to the community,” says Cathy Belk, chief relationship officer with JumpStart. “These are all early-stage companies. There were no mature companies or public companies included."
The study asked nearly 200 JumpStart client companies for feedback on revenue and jobs. The survey results are based on the 90 who responded. “This report is a real benefit to the community,” says Belk. “These numbers really make that quantitative and understandable.”
The companies surveyed increased state and local tax revenues by $7.5 million and federal tax revenues by $10.8 million, for an overall 2010 tax impact of $18.3 million. “The companies themselves are sometimes beneficiaries of state and federal monies, and that money is being returned to the government as the companies grow.”
Belk sees the report as an optimistic view of the future for the entrepreneurial climate in Northeast Ohio. “This offers a lot of promise,” she says. “A lot of these companies are going to continue to grow and continue to create jobs. Imagine what this will look like in five years.”
Source: Cathy Belk
Writer: Karin Connelly
“Our objective with this report is to make sure people know why entrepreneurship is important to the community,” says Cathy Belk, chief relationship officer with JumpStart. “These are all early-stage companies. There were no mature companies or public companies included."
The study asked nearly 200 JumpStart client companies for feedback on revenue and jobs. The survey results are based on the 90 who responded. “This report is a real benefit to the community,” says Belk. “These numbers really make that quantitative and understandable.”
The companies surveyed increased state and local tax revenues by $7.5 million and federal tax revenues by $10.8 million, for an overall 2010 tax impact of $18.3 million. “The companies themselves are sometimes beneficiaries of state and federal monies, and that money is being returned to the government as the companies grow.”
Belk sees the report as an optimistic view of the future for the entrepreneurial climate in Northeast Ohio. “This offers a lot of promise,” she says. “A lot of these companies are going to continue to grow and continue to create jobs. Imagine what this will look like in five years.”
Source: Cathy Belk
Writer: Karin Connelly
The Council of Smaller Enterprises (COSE) is holding its seventh annual small business conference on October 19th and 20th at the I-X Center in Cleveland. The event is the only one of its kind designed specifically for small business owners looking for an opportunity to learn, network and work together with other small businesses.
“Basically we put this together because we saw a gap in the marketplace for this kind of conference,” says Steve Millard, COSE president and executive director. “There aren’t a whole lot of places you can go as a small business owner. This two day conference is a chance to come together and be with other small business owners who understand the pressures of what they go through.”
The conference will feature 55 workshops on sales, marketing, HR, money, social media, technology, as well as personal and professional development. There will also be a 75-booth trade show, networking opportunities, interactive learning labs, and peer-to-peer roundtables on topics pertinent to small businesses.
Keynote speakers will be Daymond John, creator of FUBU and panelist on the ABC reality show “Shark Tank” and Jeffrey Rapport, a digital marketing, sales and e-commerce expert and founder and chairman of Marketspace, LLC.
Additionally, a panel of four local successful business owners will share their stories and the ups and downs of becoming successful. “It’s an opportunity to learn from others,” says Millard. “It’s a lot of energy, a lot of fun.”
The conference has earned a national reputation, and attendees have come from as far as California and Canada, says Millard. Organizers expect 2,000 small business owners to attend this year.
Source: Steve Millard
Writer: Karin Connelly
“Basically we put this together because we saw a gap in the marketplace for this kind of conference,” says Steve Millard, COSE president and executive director. “There aren’t a whole lot of places you can go as a small business owner. This two day conference is a chance to come together and be with other small business owners who understand the pressures of what they go through.”
The conference will feature 55 workshops on sales, marketing, HR, money, social media, technology, as well as personal and professional development. There will also be a 75-booth trade show, networking opportunities, interactive learning labs, and peer-to-peer roundtables on topics pertinent to small businesses.
Keynote speakers will be Daymond John, creator of FUBU and panelist on the ABC reality show “Shark Tank” and Jeffrey Rapport, a digital marketing, sales and e-commerce expert and founder and chairman of Marketspace, LLC.
Additionally, a panel of four local successful business owners will share their stories and the ups and downs of becoming successful. “It’s an opportunity to learn from others,” says Millard. “It’s a lot of energy, a lot of fun.”
The conference has earned a national reputation, and attendees have come from as far as California and Canada, says Millard. Organizers expect 2,000 small business owners to attend this year.
Source: Steve Millard
Writer: Karin Connelly
As an approach to planning, designing and managing public spaces, “placemaking” is gaining momentum across the country. This strategy gives local residents a voice in shaping new development so that addresses their needs as opposed to those of the developers. Simply put, placemaking is likely the best path to improving a neighborhood, city or region.
local filmmaker johnny wu unveils superman fan film
It took local filmmaker Johnny Wu roughly nine months to produce "S: A Superman Fan Film," an 18-minute tribute to the Cleveland-born Man of Steel.<br />
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"We did it cause we wanted to pay tribute to our Cleveland born hero Superman," Wu says.<br />
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The lengthy process required about three to four months in preproduction, four and a half days of shooting, and about five months in post-production, explain Wu, who acted as director, producer, and editor on the movie.<br />
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Wu says that he will be submitting the live-action comic book film to several festivals that accept fan films.<br />
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<iframe width="560" height="315" src="http://www.youtube.com/embed/SDADP0MLZHQ" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen></iframe>
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"We did it cause we wanted to pay tribute to our Cleveland born hero Superman," Wu says.<br />
<br />
The lengthy process required about three to four months in preproduction, four and a half days of shooting, and about five months in post-production, explain Wu, who acted as director, producer, and editor on the movie.<br />
<br />
Wu says that he will be submitting the live-action comic book film to several festivals that accept fan films.<br />
<br />
<iframe width="560" height="315" src="http://www.youtube.com/embed/SDADP0MLZHQ" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen></iframe>
short film is entered for 'changing your city for the better' contest
For the "Changing Your City for the Better" contest, Siemens asked people to create short videos that explore how improvements in sustainability, energy supply, urban infrastructure and mobility can change a city for the better.
Working under very tight deadlines, local filmmakers Joe Baur and Dave Kiss produced this extremely insightful short film.
"We found out about the contest pretty late and, long story short, had only 48 hours to put the project together," says Baur. "We're very grateful that Mary McCahon, Ken Prendergast and Will Tarter, Jr. were able to fit us in at the last minute. Not to mention grateful to the Healthline for showing up pretty much every time we needed it to!"
Winners will be selected in the next few weeks, with prizes ranging from $550 to $15,000.
Working under very tight deadlines, local filmmakers Joe Baur and Dave Kiss produced this extremely insightful short film.
"We found out about the contest pretty late and, long story short, had only 48 hours to put the project together," says Baur. "We're very grateful that Mary McCahon, Ken Prendergast and Will Tarter, Jr. were able to fit us in at the last minute. Not to mention grateful to the Healthline for showing up pretty much every time we needed it to!"
Winners will be selected in the next few weeks, with prizes ranging from $550 to $15,000.
cle to host 2011 individual world poetry slam
Held in Cleveland October 12 through 15, the Individual World Poetry Slam (iWPS) is a performance poetry tournament designed for individual competition. Poets from all over the world meet and compete in a multi-day performance poetry contest.
For more info, click here.
For more info, click here.
The Cleveland Council on World Affairs (CCWA) will once again be hosting former U.S. Undersecretary of Commerce, Frank Lavin tonight in its speaker series at the Union Club of Cleveland. Lavin, who recently co-published the book "Export Now," will talk about strategies for success in exporting to a global market.
“He is a great speaker and a great resource for organizations in the area,” says Jana Krasney, director of speaker programs for CCWA. “What Frank Lavin says in his book is that small and mid-sized companies are hesitant to go global because they might not think they have the resources, but they do and it’s very important.”
As chairman of public affairs for Edelman Asia Pacific, Lavin has worked with over 2,000 US companies to formulate export strategies. His talk will center on five keys to going global, in particular in the Asian market. “Lavin points out that US exports to China have grown tremendously in the last decade,” says Krasney. Tonight he will share his knowledge and expertise with companies and individuals interested in tapping that market.
CCWA is expecting about 50 to 75 participants in tonight’s presentation. Krasney says intentionally keep the audience small for plenty of one-on-one participation. “Lavin always stays to make sure people who want to ask specific questions will have an opportunity to do so,” she says.
The cost is $20 for members, $30 for non-members and $10 for students. People can registers on CCWA’s website. Registration begins at 6 p.m., followed by the program at 6:15 p.m. and a reception.
Source: Jana Krasney
Writer: Karin Connelly
“He is a great speaker and a great resource for organizations in the area,” says Jana Krasney, director of speaker programs for CCWA. “What Frank Lavin says in his book is that small and mid-sized companies are hesitant to go global because they might not think they have the resources, but they do and it’s very important.”
As chairman of public affairs for Edelman Asia Pacific, Lavin has worked with over 2,000 US companies to formulate export strategies. His talk will center on five keys to going global, in particular in the Asian market. “Lavin points out that US exports to China have grown tremendously in the last decade,” says Krasney. Tonight he will share his knowledge and expertise with companies and individuals interested in tapping that market.
CCWA is expecting about 50 to 75 participants in tonight’s presentation. Krasney says intentionally keep the audience small for plenty of one-on-one participation. “Lavin always stays to make sure people who want to ask specific questions will have an opportunity to do so,” she says.
The cost is $20 for members, $30 for non-members and $10 for students. People can registers on CCWA’s website. Registration begins at 6 p.m., followed by the program at 6:15 p.m. and a reception.
Source: Jana Krasney
Writer: Karin Connelly
LineStream Technologies is growing by leaps and bounds in the automated software control market. The company was created in 2008 as a spinoff out of research done by CSU’s Zhiqiang Gao, director of the Center for Advanced Control Technologies and focuses on commercializing and simplifying control software.
Basically, LineStream products increase efficiency, are easy to implement, and therefore improve the performance of automated systems.
“Any product using a motor, we look to improve energy efficiency and life of that motor,” explains David Neundorfer, LineStream president. “We simplify the design process and lop off weeks of [development].”
The company is getting attention from some of the major players in the automation industry. They just licensed their software to Texas Instruments. “We’re going to be putting software in a chip platform in motor and motion controls,” explains Neundorfer.
The deal adds to the company’s rapid growth. “It’s very exciting and a large deal for us,” says Neundorfer. “Some of the larger companies in the industrial space are interested in our technology.”
LineStream has grown to five employees this year, expects to be at eight to 10 by the end of the year, and double in size again next year. “We’re hiring and ramping up to establish a relationship with Texas Instruments.”
Source: David Neundorfer
Writer: Karin Connelly
Basically, LineStream products increase efficiency, are easy to implement, and therefore improve the performance of automated systems.
“Any product using a motor, we look to improve energy efficiency and life of that motor,” explains David Neundorfer, LineStream president. “We simplify the design process and lop off weeks of [development].”
The company is getting attention from some of the major players in the automation industry. They just licensed their software to Texas Instruments. “We’re going to be putting software in a chip platform in motor and motion controls,” explains Neundorfer.
The deal adds to the company’s rapid growth. “It’s very exciting and a large deal for us,” says Neundorfer. “Some of the larger companies in the industrial space are interested in our technology.”
LineStream has grown to five employees this year, expects to be at eight to 10 by the end of the year, and double in size again next year. “We’re hiring and ramping up to establish a relationship with Texas Instruments.”
Source: David Neundorfer
Writer: Karin Connelly
Two prominent local nonprofit organizations, Cleveland Public Art and Parkworks, have announced plans to merge and form LAND Studio. If the organization's new name sounds like that of an edgy architect's studio, that may be no coincidence. LAND Studio hopes to foster great public spaces in Cleveland by leading civic conversations about design and urban planning.
According to a press release, the mission of the new nonprofit organization will be "to create places and connect people through public art, sustainable building and design, collaborative planning and dynamic programming." LAND is actually an acronym that stands for landscape, arts, neighborhood and development.
The merger is the logical outgrowth of a decade-long history of the two groups working together, says Ann Zoller, the current Executive Director of Parkworks and the new Executive Director of LAND Studio. Ultimately, it will make the combined organization more impactful, thus benefiting Cleveland.
"There's huge potential for an organization that has a wider berth than just public art and public spaces," says Zoller. "This is an important time for Cleveland, and we can help leverage the investment being spent by helping the city and developers to look at placemaking from holistic, forward-thinking perspective."
Talk of a merger began several years ago when the two groups created Building Cleveland by Design, an effort to infuse sustainable, public-oriented design into large development projects in Cleveland. That project led Parkworks to become heavily involved in making the Flats East Bank project more sustainable. Parkworks also helped to acquire a former railway bed in the Flats that proved critical in creating a public trail leading to the Towpath Trail and Lake Erie.
Among the projects that Zoller plans to address with Land Studio are the reuse of vacant land in city neighborhoods, green infrastructure projects led by the Northeast Ohio Regional Sewer District (NEORSD) and Flats redevelopment.
Yet another opportunity is the work of the Group Plan Commission, says Zoller, an effort to help create more vibrant public spaces on the Malls downtown.
"This merger will allow us to take our agenda -- the importance of investing in connections, anchor public spaces and downtown as an attraction in and of itself -- and really lead," says Zoller.
The new offices of LAND Studio will be at 1939 West 25th Street in Ohio City.
Source: Ann Zoller
Writer: Lee Chilcote
According to a press release, the mission of the new nonprofit organization will be "to create places and connect people through public art, sustainable building and design, collaborative planning and dynamic programming." LAND is actually an acronym that stands for landscape, arts, neighborhood and development.
The merger is the logical outgrowth of a decade-long history of the two groups working together, says Ann Zoller, the current Executive Director of Parkworks and the new Executive Director of LAND Studio. Ultimately, it will make the combined organization more impactful, thus benefiting Cleveland.
"There's huge potential for an organization that has a wider berth than just public art and public spaces," says Zoller. "This is an important time for Cleveland, and we can help leverage the investment being spent by helping the city and developers to look at placemaking from holistic, forward-thinking perspective."
Talk of a merger began several years ago when the two groups created Building Cleveland by Design, an effort to infuse sustainable, public-oriented design into large development projects in Cleveland. That project led Parkworks to become heavily involved in making the Flats East Bank project more sustainable. Parkworks also helped to acquire a former railway bed in the Flats that proved critical in creating a public trail leading to the Towpath Trail and Lake Erie.
Among the projects that Zoller plans to address with Land Studio are the reuse of vacant land in city neighborhoods, green infrastructure projects led by the Northeast Ohio Regional Sewer District (NEORSD) and Flats redevelopment.
Yet another opportunity is the work of the Group Plan Commission, says Zoller, an effort to help create more vibrant public spaces on the Malls downtown.
"This merger will allow us to take our agenda -- the importance of investing in connections, anchor public spaces and downtown as an attraction in and of itself -- and really lead," says Zoller.
The new offices of LAND Studio will be at 1939 West 25th Street in Ohio City.
Source: Ann Zoller
Writer: Lee Chilcote
Justin Bibb, special assistant for education and economic development for Cuyahoga County executive Ed FitzGerald, was looking for a way to make sure his generation is heard in the business world. That’s when he founded YP Nation, a group of young professionals who want to play an active role in the nation’s policies and views.
“There’s a movement as baby boomers retire to engage millennials,” Bibb says of his generation. “Rarely is our voice elevated.” Today he is regional director of YP Nation, encouraging other young professionals to get involved and make their voices heard.
Founded in 2009, YP Nation has 3,000 members nationwide and access to half a million people through networking groups. Membership gives access to resources, information and services to help advance the next generation.
“Our core goal is to give young professionals a voice," says Michael Eisenstadt, the organization’s president. “There’s a lot of structural imbalance out there and we think it’s important for young people to get together and voice their ideas. The more we can get involved, the better it is for everyone.”
YP Nation’s website is chock full of articles and blogs meant to empower its readers to take action and make a change.
“These are tough times,” says Eisenstadt. “We just want more opportunity. Our goal is to coalesce this voice from younger Americans.”
Additionally, for $99 a year, members can get a YP Rewards card, which gives holders more than $3,500 in discounts on things that serve the young professional lifestyle.
Source: Michael Eisenstadt and Justin Bibb
Writer: Karin Connelly
“There’s a movement as baby boomers retire to engage millennials,” Bibb says of his generation. “Rarely is our voice elevated.” Today he is regional director of YP Nation, encouraging other young professionals to get involved and make their voices heard.
Founded in 2009, YP Nation has 3,000 members nationwide and access to half a million people through networking groups. Membership gives access to resources, information and services to help advance the next generation.
“Our core goal is to give young professionals a voice," says Michael Eisenstadt, the organization’s president. “There’s a lot of structural imbalance out there and we think it’s important for young people to get together and voice their ideas. The more we can get involved, the better it is for everyone.”
YP Nation’s website is chock full of articles and blogs meant to empower its readers to take action and make a change.
“These are tough times,” says Eisenstadt. “We just want more opportunity. Our goal is to coalesce this voice from younger Americans.”
Additionally, for $99 a year, members can get a YP Rewards card, which gives holders more than $3,500 in discounts on things that serve the young professional lifestyle.
Source: Michael Eisenstadt and Justin Bibb
Writer: Karin Connelly
Although just barely eight months old, ImageIQ has found a niche in the medical imaging field. The company, which is a spinoff of the Cleveland Clinic Lerner Research Institute, takes a qualitative approach to diagnostic imaging.
“Anybody who acquires an image during a bio-science event, it’s a subjective process for anyone who looks at that image,” says ImageIQ CEO Tim Kulbago. “We build custom solutions to get quantitative scientific data.”
Kulbago likens ImageIQ’s capabilities to a police officer’s speed radar gun. Without it, people in the medical industry are just estimating their findings. The company has three areas of expertise: pharmaceutical, medical devices and research.
While the company still is in its infancy, the folks behind the research at Image IQ have years of experience. “We feel like we’re on the leading edge of actual medical imaging,” says Kulbago. “Our team has been doing this for over 10 years. Now we’re taking the idea of this service to market.”
ImageIQ has developed working relationships with NASA, MIT and, most recently, Anderson Orthopaedic Research Institute (AORI) to enhance the ongoing joint replacement research. ImageIQ and AORI will apply state-of-the-art 3D imaging analytics to improve the assessment of the structural integrity and performance of various biomaterials in orthopedic implant wear studies.
ImageIQ has grown from four people on staff to eight in just eight months. “Now were at a point where word is starting to get out,” says Kulbago. They are prepared to grow as the company grows. Kulbago plans to host a webinar in November, “60 in 60: Speed Dating for Imaging Analytics,” which has already produced significant interest.
Source: Tim Kulbago
Writer: Karin Connelly
“Anybody who acquires an image during a bio-science event, it’s a subjective process for anyone who looks at that image,” says ImageIQ CEO Tim Kulbago. “We build custom solutions to get quantitative scientific data.”
Kulbago likens ImageIQ’s capabilities to a police officer’s speed radar gun. Without it, people in the medical industry are just estimating their findings. The company has three areas of expertise: pharmaceutical, medical devices and research.
While the company still is in its infancy, the folks behind the research at Image IQ have years of experience. “We feel like we’re on the leading edge of actual medical imaging,” says Kulbago. “Our team has been doing this for over 10 years. Now we’re taking the idea of this service to market.”
ImageIQ has developed working relationships with NASA, MIT and, most recently, Anderson Orthopaedic Research Institute (AORI) to enhance the ongoing joint replacement research. ImageIQ and AORI will apply state-of-the-art 3D imaging analytics to improve the assessment of the structural integrity and performance of various biomaterials in orthopedic implant wear studies.
ImageIQ has grown from four people on staff to eight in just eight months. “Now were at a point where word is starting to get out,” says Kulbago. They are prepared to grow as the company grows. Kulbago plans to host a webinar in November, “60 in 60: Speed Dating for Imaging Analytics,” which has already produced significant interest.
Source: Tim Kulbago
Writer: Karin Connelly
pnc among best companies for working moms
For the 10th straight year, PNC has earned its way onto Working Mother's list of Best Companies.
"Working Mother readers want flexibility and they want it now," say the editors of the magazine. "In survey after survey, working moms rank flexible work arrangements as the most desired benefit they seek, even higher than compensation or paid days off."
The Working Mother 100 Best Companies are judged on answers to 650 questions, including data on the access and usage of flexible work arrangements, parental leave, childcare, health and wellness support and the advancement of women to all levels of management.
Jennifer Owens, Editorial Director of Working Mother said, "The reason flexibility is so important to working moms is that they want to do their best at home and in the office. Flexible work arrangements allow moms both. The Working Mother Best Companies want to win the war for talent and productivity -- especially in a down economy -- and they have figured out how to make flex work.”
See the full list here.
"Working Mother readers want flexibility and they want it now," say the editors of the magazine. "In survey after survey, working moms rank flexible work arrangements as the most desired benefit they seek, even higher than compensation or paid days off."
The Working Mother 100 Best Companies are judged on answers to 650 questions, including data on the access and usage of flexible work arrangements, parental leave, childcare, health and wellness support and the advancement of women to all levels of management.
Jennifer Owens, Editorial Director of Working Mother said, "The reason flexibility is so important to working moms is that they want to do their best at home and in the office. Flexible work arrangements allow moms both. The Working Mother Best Companies want to win the war for talent and productivity -- especially in a down economy -- and they have figured out how to make flex work.”
See the full list here.