GCP receives Economic Development Award for business retention, expansion program

Friday, September 23, 2011

Cleveland, Ohio—The Greater Cleveland Partnership (GCP) has received an Honorable Mention for Excellence in Economic Development Award for its Business Development Program from the International Economic Development Council (IEDC). The awards annually recognize the world’s best economic development programs and partnerships, marketing materials, and the year’s most influential leaders. The honor was presented Sept. 20 during the IEDC’s annual conference in Charlotte, North Carolina.

“We recognize the Greater Cleveland Partnership for providing successful strategies to promote new standards in economic development in this period of global recovery,” said Dennis Coleman, IEDC chair. “Our awards honor organizations and individuals for their efforts in creating positive change in communities. They demonstrate that they are at the forefront of the economic development profession and are using innovative and effective practices that can be replicated in other communities."

The GCP Business Development Program focuses on business retention and expansion opportunities. Its core objective is growth for Northeast Ohio companies.

“By identifying opportunities and challenges and working through them, our business development team has played a key role in helping our region secure several business retention and expansion wins,” said GCP President and CEO Joe Roman. “Team members advance the GCP’s commitment to helping our region’s companies remain and expand their operations in Northeast Ohio.”

The GCP Business Development Program works collaboratively with public and private-sector organizations, connecting companies to resources that include real estate, workforce, economic incentives and financial assistance.

Since 2007, the team has conducted site visits with over 600 companies and has identified over 160 expansion projects, completing 60. From 2007 to 2010, these companies reported 155 potential projects with an estimate of 2,684 new jobs, 22,879 retained jobs, 3,337,500 square feet of real estate, and $648,870,000 investment.

In 2010 and 2011 Q1 & Q2, the expansion pipeline of projects grew by 24, which could result in upwards of 966 new jobs, 4,787 retained jobs, nearly 3,975,000 square feet of new real estate development, and $376,332,000 capital investment.

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About the Greater Cleveland Partnership

As an association of business members, the Greater Cleveland Partnership mobilizes private-sector leadership, expertise and resources to create jobs and leverage investment to improve the economic vitality of the region. www.gcpartnership.com

About the International Economic Development Council

The International Economic Development Council (IEDC) is the premier membership organization dedicated to helping economic development professionals create high-quality jobs, develop vibrant communities and improve the quality of life in their regions. Serving more than 4,500 members, IEDC represents the largest network of economic development professionals in the world. www.iedconline.org


 

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