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Hot Topics in CLE

GCP president and CEO Joe Roman made one of his regular appearances on WTAM last Friday to talk about some of the hot projects going on around the city.

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GCP Backs Occupational License Review and Anti-Predatory Business Claim Legislation

As “lame duck” session kicks into high gear in Columbus, the Greater Cleveland Partnership (GCP) is advocating on behalf of the Northeast Ohio business community on various fronts.  Among the many initiatives being considered, before the 132nd Ohio General Assembly breaks by the end of the year, are two separate bills GCP presented proponent testimony on last week.

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55th Annual Public Officials Reception Brings Together Northeast Ohio Leaders

Approximately 500 business leaders and publicly elected officials from across Northeast Ohio gathered last Friday at the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in Museum in Cleveland for the 55th Annual Public Officials Reception.

This event, hosted by the Greater Cleveland Partnership, is important to the region’s forward momentum as it represents the mobilization of private- and public-sector leadership, expertise and resources. It’s also a unique opportunity for executives from a broad range of industries to lend their voice to the conversation and participate in a role shaping the economic future of Northeast Ohio.

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City Council Approves $3 Million in Improvements to Airport Transportation Center

Cleveland City Council recently voted to allow Cleveland Hopkins International Airport to spend up to $3 million to expand the Ground Transportation Center, allowing more commercial vehicles to use it for picking up and dropping off passengers. Canopies will be constructed to allow the vehicles to be under cover and provide shelter from the weather for travelers.  

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Nine Critical Issues Impacting Northeast Ohio Businesses

GCP Chairman's Forum Reveals 9 Critical Issues for Northeast Ohio Companies

A standing-room-only crowd gathered at the GCP offices on Thursday for the latest edition of the GCP Chairman’s Forum, which featured GCP Chairman Scott Chaikin and GCP CEO Joe Roman discussing the biggest issues impacting businesses today.

Chaikin, executive chairman of Cleveland integrated communications firm Dix & Eaton, and Roman touched on nine hot-button issues facing Northeast Ohio companies today.

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NASA and GCP Host Stakeholder Briefing

GCP and the NASA Glenn Research Center hosted a stakeholder briefing for the recently appointed NASA Administrator Jim Bridenstine at the Great Lakes Science Center. The administrator met with nearly 30 GCP member companies and public officials to discuss NASA’s overarching priorities for aeronautics and space as well as the unique role that NASA Glenn can play in advancing those priorities. Glenn Research Center Director, Janet Kavandi, joined Administrator Bridenstine in highlighting efforts to develop the Deep Space Gateway, integrated space communications, and attracting the next generation of highly skilled workers to advance NASA’s mission and innovations. Congressman Dave Joyce, who also joined the discussion, highlighted the important role that Ohio has played in getting NASA into space and confirmed the support of the Ohio congressional delegation in strengthening the role of NASA Glenn with the agency.

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Common Sense Initiative 2018 Midyear Report

Created in 2011, the Common Sense Initiative (CSI) was designed by the Governor and empowered the people to ask questions: Are Ohio regulations effectively protecting the public? Are they unintentionally strangling Ohio job development? Were the people being regulated asked about their concerns? 
CSI recently released its 2018 Mid-Year Report highlighting its work between January 1, 2018 and June 30, 2018, including: 

  • the review of 700 business regulations, with 62% being amended or rescinded;
  • the completed review of 40% of rule packages in 30 days or less.

The report provided a deeper look into the rule review statistics, indicating that of the 700 total rules were reviewed during this timeframe: 

  • 54% were amended;
  • 25% had no change;
  • 13% represented new rules; and 
  • 8% were rescinded.

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Blockchain Interested Parties Meeting to Take Place

The topic of blockchain technology, an online ledger system that may be used to distribute and better protect data going forward, was center-stage in Northeast Ohio last week at the Blockland Solutions Conference in Cleveland.

On December 11, discussions will take place in Columbus at JobsOhio headquarters, to better understand and educate key stakeholders on how blockchain’s application could be utilized to improve government security and processes.

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Hundreds Attend 10th Annual Inclusion Conference

Some 200 diversity and inclusion practitioners; senior HR managers; supplier diversity managers; procurement managers; and others descended on Westlake’s LaCentre Conference & Banquet Facility for a daylong discussion on how to have Bold, Inclusive Conversations in the workplace during the 10th Annual Inclusion Conference, hosted by the Commission on Economic Inclusion, a program of the Greater Cleveland Partnership.

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Blockchain to Blockland

Cleveland’s leaders are organizing around a new initiative to transform and enhance the regional economy by leveraging Blockchain in an effort being referred to as Blockland. Bernie Moreno, president of the Bernie Moreno Companies, kickstarted this effort and designated GCP president and CEO Joe Roman as well as Dr. Akram Boutros of the MetroHealth System, to co-chair the political environmental implications of Blockchain’s application in Northeast Ohio.

Moreno shed light on this topic at the GCP's 3rd Quarter Middle Market Forum on Thursday. During his standing-room-only presentation at the Huntington Convention Center, Moreno said it is imperative that Cleveland begin laying the groundwork now to be a leader in this burgeoning technology.

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CDA Hits $400 Million Investment Milestone

Cleveland Development Advisors (CDA), the real estate financing arm of the Greater Cleveland Partnership, has committed its remaining $16 million in New Markets Tax Credit allocation to two projects in two major Northeast Ohio Cities– both of which represent catalytic, collaborative efforts to support major initiatives championed by local public, civic and business community leadership.

“These two Northeast Ohio projects represent capstone developments for the use of the balance of CDA’s New Markets Tax Credit allocation. Glenville Circle North in Cleveland and The Bowery development in Akron are both right down the fairway in terms of meeting CDA’s mission” said Yvette Ittu, President of CDA. “Both projects are extremely catalytic in nature and each are positioned to drive additional growth and have a long-term impact on the character and vitality of their cities and the region. We are very excited to be able to help move these highly impactful developments forward.” 

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Read this week's stories.

Congress Continues Support for Great Lakes Restoration Initiative

Despite Administration proposals that have attempted to end the program, both the House and the Senate have now passed appropriation bills that continue funding for the Great Lakes Restoration Initiative (GLRI) at $300 million over the federal fiscal year. The House and Senate-approved Interior bills, which includes funding for the GLRI, now heads to conference committee. Since both chambers recommended the same level of funding for the GLRI, the program is certain to be funded at that level.

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CDA-Supported Ohio City Galley Restaurant Accelerator to Open in October

Ohio City Galley, a food hall restaurant accelerator supported by the Greater Cleveland Partnership’s Cleveland Development Advisors (CDA), is scheduled to open in October.

Located at 1400 W.25 St. and part of “The Quarter” project in Cleveland’s Ohio City neighborhood, the $1.8-million development acts as a launch pad for restaurant entrepreneurs. Chef owners apply for one of four kitchen spaces in the 8,000-square-foot space to operate at low cost and low risk for one year. 

Currently under construction, CDA provided project investment in the form of a $500,000 CDA-CRF loan. The City of Cleveland partnered with CDA on the project.  

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Greater Cleveland Partnership Hosts CSI Ohio

Having reviewed thousands of rules that impact the business community since its inception, Ohio’s Common Sense Initiative (CSI) has provided a model for addressing dated regulations.  Last Tuesday, the Greater Cleveland Partnership (GCP) hosted CSI’s third Small Business Advisory Council meeting of the year.  The goal?  Shine additional light on a necessary, but often overlooked part of government – state regulatory requirements – and support the Northeast Ohio business community through continued representation on the CSI Small Business Advisory Council. 

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GCP Supports State Regulatory Reform Legislation

The Greater Cleveland Partnership (GCP) has been a long-time advocate for regulatory reform and continues to be a strong supporter of Ohio’s Common Sense Initiative (CSI).  
Our members see value in Senate Bill 293 (SB 293), legislation that would require state agencies to review and reduce regulatory restrictions by 30% over the course of three years.  On June 27th, GCP presented proponent testimony on the bill.  The Ohio Senate passed SB 293 the same day.   
Two GCP volunteer members serve on the CSI Small Business Advisory Council, a panel charged with helping state government achieve the right balance of regulations.  The work of CSI is critical and our members strongly recommend it continue.

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GCP Supported Cyber Bill Headed to Governor

Senate Bill 220 (SB 220) has cleared the legislature and is awaiting the Governor’s signature.  

Over the course of the last year, GCP and our members have had encouraging dialogue, resulting in the introduction of this legislation.  

The purpose of SB 220 is to create an affirmative defense to a cause of action sounding in tort related to a data breach and it would apply to all businesses that include and comply with certain cybersecurity frameworks. 

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Events

Morning Conversation with U.S. Senator Sherrod Brown

sherrod brownGCP Members are invited to join us for a Morning Conversation with U.S. Senator Sherrod Brown. Described as “Congress’ leading proponent of American manufacturing,” Brown supports a national manufacturing policy that would invest in manufacturing innovation, strengthen our component supply chain, connect workers with emerging industries, and align our trade policies to promote our national interests.

Brown is also the first Ohio Senator in 40 years to serve on the Senate Agriculture, Nutrition, and Forestry Committee, where he has been instrumental in strengthening the farm safety net and addressing childhood hunger. Senator Brown has fought for our veterans, servicemembers, and their families throughout his career. From his position on the Senate Veterans' Affairs Committee, Brown has advocated for veterans training programs to ensure returning servicemembers have access to good-paying, high-demand jobs.

Prior to serving in the United States Senate, Brown served as a United States Representative for the 13th District, Ohio’s Secretary of State, a member of the Ohio General Assembly, and has taught in Ohio’s public schools and at The Ohio State University.


The GCP Morning Conversation series is sponsored by:



4Q Middle Market Forum: Opportunity Zones - Redefining Cleveland

Sales of development sites in Opportunity Zones nationwide have spiked 80% in the first three quarters of 2018, compared with the same period last year, according to data firm Real Capital Analytics. 

Opportunity Zones are a new community development program established in the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act of 2017 to encourage long-term investments in low-income urban and rural communities nationwide. The goal of the Opportunity Zone program is to allow investors to defer capital gains from the sale or exchange of property by investing the proceeds in an Opportunity Fund. The fund would then invest these assets in businesses within an Opportunity Zone.

Morning Conversation with Ja’Ron Smith, Special Assistant to the President for the White House Office of Legislative Affairs

jsmith

GCP Members are invited to join us for a Morning Conversation with Ja’Ron Smith, Special Assistant to the President for the White House Office of Legislative Affairs.


Ja’Ron Smith serves as a Special Assistant to the President for the White House Office of Legislative Affairs. In this role, he is a key point of contact for the White House with congressional committees, including Ways and Means and Education and Workforce. Prior to this role, he served as the Special Assistant to the President for Domestic Policy and Director of Urban Affairs and Revitalization. As a chief policy strategist for the White House, Smith has been instrumental in legislative efforts related to economic development, criminal justice reform, and tax policy. Before joining the Administration, Smith spent more than a decade serving in a variety of staff leadership roles in Congress, including working for Senator Tim Scott (R-SC) and Vice President Mike Pence. Smith was active in the creation of the Opportunity Zone program that was signed into law in the 2017 Jobs and Tax Act and continues to play a central role in the implementation of this program across the country.

 A Cleveland native, Smith is a graduate of Howard University and currently resides in the Washington D.C. area.



The GCP Morning Conversation series is sponsored by:





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