COSE Endorses Issue One; Jobs for Ohio Will Benefit Cleveland’s Small Businesses, Help Ohio Compete for Jobs

Tuesday, September 27, 2005

The Council of Smaller Enterprises (COSE) today announced its support for Issue One, Jobs for Ohio. The $2 billion ballot initiative has the support of Cleveland’s small business organization because passage will help improve Ohio’s ability to create and compete for jobs.

The Jobs for Ohio initiative includes what was previously known as the Third Frontier Project. Northeast Ohio companies and institutions have received almost $140 million of the $325 million awarded statewide since the Third Frontier Project was launched in 2002. The grants support research and product development, public works projects and would prepare industrial sites for redevelopment, with the goal of investing in improvements that will increase Ohio’s ability to create and compete for jobs. JumpStart, Case Western Reserve University, the Cleveland Clinic and several small business COSE members have benefited from the grants.

"The passage of Issue One is important to our members, and we are throwing our endorsement and our efforts behind Jobs for Ohio,” said Jeanne Coughlin, President of The Coughlin Group and chairman of COSE. “Northeast Ohio voters have shown overwhelming support for the initiative in previous elections because our region benefits from investments in infrastructure, innovation and entrepreneurship. Our small business members recognize that Ohio is emerging as a technology leader and it is important that we support initiatives that encourage job creation.”

The resolution approved by the COSE Board of Directors states:

Be it resolved, the COSE Board supports Issue One: Jobs for Ohio. As Ohio continues to emerge as a technology leader, we believe Issue One will help propel our economy in a positive direction. COSE applauds the legislative leadership for passing legislation to allow Issue One to appear on the November 2005 ballot. COSE strongly urges passage of Issue One.

COSE grassroots efforts, including a letter-writing campaign by COSE members, were instrumental in securing passage of HJR 2--the Jobs for Ohio Bill--in the state legislature. COSE is working to educate its members about the importance of Issue One and to garner voter support for the issue. Issue One will appear on the November 8, 2005, general election ballot. The Greater Cleveland Partnership also recently endorsed Issue One.

COSE, the small business arm of the Greater Cleveland Partnership, serves as a one-stop resource for its members by providing: group-purchasing programs that reduce the cost of doing business; education and development programs for small- and mid-sized businesses; advocacy on legislative and regulatory issues affecting the business community; a wide range of resources focused on helping firms grow; and economic development partners that can address business concerns.

Back to News