GCP to testify against county legislation that would give preferential treatment to some bidders

Monday, November 26, 2012

Cleveland, Ohio -- The Greater Cleveland Partnership (GCP) will tomorrow testify against a proposed Cuyahoga County ordinance that would give an advantage to county-based businesses vying for public contracts, calling it anti-regional and bad for business.

The ordinance (#O2012-0020), if approved, would allow Cuyahoga County-based bidders that are within two percent of a low bidder, if the low bidder is based outside the county, to resubmit a second and matching bid. The ordinance is scheduled for a vote on Tuesday, November 27.

“We have shared with the Council and County Executive our respectful opinion that this legislation, while we believe it was well-intentioned, is flawed in several ways,” said GCP President and CEO Joe Roman. “First and perhaps foremost, it is a step backwards in our vital community effort to move our local economy forward in a regional manner.”

“That regional effort cannot end at the county line,” Roman said. “The best chance for Cleveland and Cuyahoga County to grow is if all of Northeast Ohio grows and works together toward creating and preserving jobs regionally.

“Such a piece of legislation only encourages neighboring counties to enact copycat laws thereby impeding Cuyahoga based companies from competing equally in those counties,” Roman added. “Our firms’ employees live throughout the region and therefore could get unintentionally hurt by everyone moving in a similar direction.”

The GCP also believes that this ordinance could cost Cuyahoga County taxpayers money, as it could discourage qualified bidders from outside of Cuyahoga County—including many Northeast Ohio companies—from seeking Cuyahoga County contracts. Any such resulting loss of competition could result in more costly public contracts.

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About the Greater Cleveland Partnership
The Greater Cleveland Partnership mobilizes private-sector leadership, expertise and resources to create attractive business conditions that create jobs, grow investment and improve the economic prosperity of the region. www.gcpartnership.com .

 

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