The success of Northeast Ohio is dependent upon the cooperation of groups, communities, agencies, and individuals working together to grow the economy. The following are partners the Economic Development Department collaborates with to ensure the community’s economic growth.
10,000 Small Businesses
Cuyahoga Community College, in partnership with Goldman Sachs 10,000 Small Businesses, offers Greater Cleveland small business owners access to a practical business and management education. Through the support of Goldman Sachs and the Goldman Sachs Foundation, each business owner that is selected to participate in the program at Cuyahoga Community College will receive a scholarship to cover program tuition and materials.
Cleveland-Cuyahoga County Port Authority
The Cleveland-Cuyahoga County Port Authority is an entrepreneurial enterprise that operates the Port of Cleveland and spurs job growth and economic development by providing project financing for a wide range of new construction and expansion projects across the region.
Cuyahoga County Department of Development
The Cuyahoga County Department of Development provides unique and award-winning programs to help local businesses. The Department offers a variety of creative programs in community development, economic development, and housing.
Cuyahoga Valley Chamber of Commerce
This organization is a local community resource built on networking and is composed of six communities (Brooklyn Heights, Cuyahoga Heights, Independence, Seven Hills, Valley View, and Walton Hills).
Destination Cleveland
Destination Cleveland is the Greater Cleveland area Convention and Visitors Bureau, which provides regional promotion and support for the Independence hospitality industry (one of the largest concentrations of hotels and restaurants in the region, outside of downtown Cleveland).
Economic and Community Development Institute (ECDI)
ECDI, a statewide SBA lender, started in Columbus in 2004 before expanding to Cleveland in July 2012. ECDI’s loans range from $500 to $350,000. The organization supports loans for new and established businesses.
Greater Cleveland Partnership/Council of Smaller Enterprises
With more than 14,000 members, the Greater Cleveland Partnership is a membership association of Northeast Ohio companies and organizations and one of the largest metropolitan chambers of commerce in the nation. The organization includes a small-business partner, the Council of Smaller Enterprises (COSE). COSE is a one-stop resource for small-business member companies and provides group-purchasing programs, advocacy on legislative and regulatory issues, as well as resources focused on helping companies grow.
Growth Capital
Growth Capital is a conduit to funds available through specialized loan programs featuring low down payments, fixed rates, and long terms, meant to encourage the success of growing businesses. Since 1982, Growth Capital has helped businesses determine the best loan options, prepare loan applications, and coordinate timely processing with all the necessary lenders and government agencies. They exist solely to help local companies obtain financing for capital expenditures and will offer individualized counseling and guidance to foster economic growth and job creation.
JobsOhio
JobsOhio is unlike any other economic development model in the country. The economic development organization is a private corporation run by experienced business leaders who are focused on working with job creators that seek to grow and locate in Ohio. JobsOhio administers many of the State of Ohio’s economic development incentive programs.
JumpStart
JumpStart is a nationally recognized non-profit creating economic transformation by efficiently securing and providing resources to entrepreneurs leading high-potential early-stage companies. This organization’s primary resource is intensive entrepreneurial assistance delivered by former successful entrepreneurs and it selectively invests in the highest potential companies through its programs. It maintains a specific focus on economic inclusion and activities to increase the success of minority and women entrepreneurs.
Manufacturing Advocacy & Growth Network
The mission of the Manufacturing Advocacy & Growth Network is to support, educate, and champion manufacturing. It provides consulting services, helps manufacturers adopt innovative strategies and techniques, and provides a clearinghouse for individual manufacturers seeking assistance in productivity, global access (sourcing and markets), and production innovation.
Northeast Ohio Trade & Economic Consortium
The Northeast Ohio Trade & Economic Consortium is a regional economic development partnership of 10 counties established by the Northeast Ohio Joint Office of Economic Development in 1996 and is dedicated to enhancing the global competitiveness of Northeast Ohio and its businesses. They work to attract new business capital investment and jobs to the region by promoting domestic and international trade and strengthening the distinct advantages of the region as a business location.
Ohio Development Services Agency
The Ohio Development Services Agency administers many of the State of Ohio’s programs related to business growth and development.
Ohio Employee Ownership Center (OEOC)
OEOC of Kent State University is a non-profit, information, outreach, technical assistance, training, and research organization that supports the development of employee ownership. The OEOC has prepared a manual for business succession planning with the support of The Cleveland Foundation.
Small Business Administration
The Federal Government created the Small Business Administration in 1953 as an independent agency to aid, counsel, assist, and protect the interests of small business owners, to preserve free competitive enterprise, and to maintain and strengthen the overall economy of the nation. Its mission is to help start, build, and grow businesses. It has an extensive network of field offices and partnerships with public and private organizations to deliver these services.
Small Business Development Center – Export Assistance Network
The Small Business Development Center – Export Assistance Network promotes economic growth through exports. This group provides international export trade assistance services to small and medium-sized businesses throughout Northeast Ohio and promotes international commerce and growth through exports.
TeamNEO
TeamNEO is the economic development marketing team for Northeast Ohio. The organization supports a sixteen-county regional promotional program to attract businesses and organizations to locate within Northeast Ohio.