Businesses Unite to Promote State's Pro-Growth Climate

Wednesday, November 05, 2008

Cleveland, Ohio, November 5, 2008 - Small and large businesses in Northeast Ohio and their employees are now better organized and prepared through the Greater Cleveland Partnership (GCP), the Council of Smaller Enterprises (COSE) and the extended network of business partner organizations to make their case for growth in the Cleveland Plus region.  Noting that this collaboration is "encouraging news for Northeast Ohio," Joe Roman, president and CEO of the GCP, and Steve Millard, president and executive director of COSE, observed that "nowhere was this more apparent than in the successful effort to remove Issue 4, the Healthy Families Act, from the Nov. 4 ballot.

"This legislation would have been the first of its kind in the country to mandate a statewide requirement for provision of paid sick leave to employees of all but the smallest businesses (as long as they don't grow!) in the state.  The business community across the state worked tirelessly with the Strickland Administration and others to communicate how damaging the bill, as written, would be to the economy of Ohio."

They also noted that "the further evolution of this collaboration, initially tested in the successful advocacy for state tax reform a few years ago, bodes very well for meaningful engagement in addressing other challenging business climate issues that are sure to be debated at both the state and federal levels in 2009."

Click here to read more about this advocacy partnership that is working to enhance the business climate in the region and the state.

The Greater Cleveland Partnership, the primary voice for businesses in Greater Cleveland, seeks to create jobs and improve the economic vitality of the region. behalf of its more than 17,000 members, the GCP advocates with one voice; advances small business success; accelerates economic inclusion; builds a high-impact, sustainable economic development system; changes the face of Cleveland; strengthens global connections; and initiates a demand-driven talent system.  The GCP is a founder and proud supporter of the Cleveland Plus marketing campaign. www.gcpartnership.com

The Council of Smaller Enterprises is one of Ohio's largest small business support organizations, striving to help small businesses grow and maintain their independence. Comprised of more than 17,000 member companies, COSE has a long history of fighting for the rights of all small business owners, whether it's through group purchasing programs for health care, workers' compensation, or energy, advocating for specific changes in legislation or regulation to benefit small business, or providing a forum and resource for small businesses to connect with and learn from each other. ( www.cose.org )

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