| Cuyahoga County Economic Development Plan- Our region is economically competitive |
Strategic Priorities |
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1.2 Lead the Cuyahoga County Economic Development Commission and implement its five-year economic development plan
- Our region is economically competitive
About this measure |
This measure provides updates on major milestones and anticipated next steps associated with the Cuyahoga County Economic Development Commission’s Five-Year Economic Development Plan. The plan lays out strategies and objectives for all regional economic development actors. The plan has been updated annually as required by the Cuyahoga County Charter.
Updates are provided by the Cuyahoga County Department of Development on a quarterly basis.
Why is this important? |
Economic development programs support business growth and real-estate development projects, catalyzing well-paying jobs and leveraging outside capital investment.
Data Source |
Performance Target |
This page is a milestone measure, meaning updates take the form of qualitative, project-based narratives to provide additional details related to core County programs and services. Measure performance is impacted by a number of factors, including funding levels, strategic priorities, community need, and policy decisions made at the federal, state, and local level. Performance targets are not set for milestone measures, but timely reporting of updates is important.
How are we making an impact? | |
During Q1-22, Cuyahoga County continued its work to reinvigorate the workforce development system to meet the talent needs of its manufacturing, healthcare, information technology and hospitality sectors. Cuyahoga County’s SkillUp 2.0 program was reimagined to provide a more seamless and user-friendly experience, while offering vastly enhanced employer incentives to help every size employer offset the cost of training and upskilling to help retain personnel and grow their businesses as we plan beyond the pandemic.
Cuyahoga County’s Five-Year Economic Development Plan recognizes the importance of small businesses as a key driver of innovation, job creation, wealth creation, and economic opportunity. Within the small business sector, the County further recognizes the need for targeted and active supports to overcome the effects of past discrimination against minority and women business entrepreneurs and owners – in both the areas of capital provision and technical business assistance.
The Department of Development proposed to allocate a new round of capital resources and operating funding ($3 million appropriated) to help fund various support organizations who would creatively assist small businesses in these key areas.
The Department requested proposals through RFQ #6222 from qualified Cuyahoga County-based non-profit and for-profit entities, or partnerships of entities, who would design a superior Small Business Supports Program, or programs, and administer such financial and technical assistance to this clientele, with the particular focus on equity and inclusion for minority and women-owned businesses. In Q1-22, through that competitive process, the grant awards were made to four entities that provide said products and services. Ohio Aerospace Institute w/ The Presidents Counsel and The Urban League of Greater Cleveland, ECDI, NDC and Village Capital Corporation. These organizations are projected to make 127 small business loans and provide technical assistance to more than 500 businesses and over 1000 hours of technical assistance.