Team NEO Announces Economic Development Award Winners
6/3/2009 1
Most Impactful 2008 Economic Development Projects Celebrated at June 2 Event
A sold out crowd of more than 450 business and community leaders, economic developers, and chambers of commerce representatives from throughout 16 counties of Northeast Ohio gathered at the Third Annual Team NEO Economic Development Impact Awards Dinner last night at Embassy Suites in Independence to recognize and reward outstanding economic development contributions that are positively impacting Northeast Ohio’s economy.
“Despite the fact that the nation’s headlines have been dominated with job and business losses for the past few months, it is important to recognize that simultaneously, new jobs are being created,” said Tom Waltermire, Team NEO’s Chief Executive Officer. “This one-of-a-kind event honors Northeast Ohio’s local economic development community who is working hard to regain economic vibrancy. The event celebrates the “wins” in Northeast Ohio: the projects that have helped retain jobs, expand local companies, and create jobs during the calendar year 2008.”
Nearly 100 organizations were nominated in more than 60 entries. Of thirty finalists chosen by a panel of third-party judges, the following winners were recognized:
Asset Creation
- Creation of the BioInnovation Institute to make Akron globally recognized for “biomaterials”: Akron Children’s Hospital, Akron General Health System, BioEnterprise, City of Akron, The Knight Foundation, Northeastern Ohio Universities Colleges of Medicine and Pharmacy (NEOUCOM), The Summa Health System, County of Summit, and University of Akron
Business Attraction
- Attracting Republic Special Metals: Youngstown-Warren Regional Chamber
Business Expansion
- Helping American Augers Expand: Ashland Area Council for Economic Development, Ashland County, Jackson Twsp.
Business Retention
- Retaining the Bridgestone Technical Center and 1000 jobs: City of Akron, Greater Akron Chamber, County of Summit, Summit County Port Authority
Foreign Investment
- Attracting RTS Co. of Ontario to Northeast Ohio: Growth Partnership for Ashtabula County
Fostering Entrepreneurship
- Innovation Fund investment in 24 new companies: Lorain County Community College Foundation
Marketing Cleveland Plus
- Promoting the regional brand and marketing campaign to employees, customers and partners: Cohen & Co.
Minority Business Development
- Relocation of Wholesome Development LLC Headquarters from Pittsburgh to Lakewood: City of Lakewood & LakewoodAlive
Public-Private Partnership
- Redevelopment of the Hoover facility: Maple Street Commerce LLC. City of North Canton, and Stark Development Board
Workforce Development
- Training: Advanced Manufacturing & Engineering Center of Cuyahoga Community College
For a full listing of all the finalists and winners, with detailed descriptions of the winning projects, click here.
In addition, Congressman Ralph Regula was honored at the event with the annual H. Peter Burg Regional Vision Award. The award commemorates the late chairman and CEO of FirstEnergy Corporation, a regional leader who was the founding chairman of Team NEO. Ralph Regula, who recently retired after 36 years in the House of Representatives for Ohio’s 16th Congressional District, was honored for his work to advance the region. For his inspiring acceptance speech, click here.
The 2009 Economic Development Impact Awards are presented by the Sherwin-Williams Company. Additional sponsors include: the University of Akron, First Place Bank, the Fedeli Group and National City, now a part of PNC.
Team NEO advances Northeast Ohio’s economy by attracting businesses worldwide to the 16-county Cleveland Plus region. The organization is a joint venture of the region's largest metro chambers of commerce. Since 2007, the organization has attracted 23 new companies, 2,500 new jobs and more than $75M in annual payroll to Northeast Ohio, leading to a total regional annual impact of $150M. For more information, visit www.clevelandplusbusiness.com.
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