Team NEO Launches Multicultural Business Attraction Initiative
3/26/2009
Team Northeast Ohio (NEO) today announced a new initiative to attract multicultural businesses to the Cleveland Plus region.
While the organization’s main focus to date has been to national site selection consultants who influence company expansion projects, this effort will focus on minority-owned businesses that are looking to expand and would like to consider Northeast Ohio.
“We know from studies from experts such as Dr. Melvin Gravely show that communities that are developing, growing and expanding their minority businesses are the communities that are thriving across the country,” said Tom Waltermire, CEO of Team NEO. “We do not want Cleveland Plus to miss out on the challenge to become an even more diverse region and to provide more opportunities for all people.”
The initiative is being done in partnership with important organizations such as Hispanic Business Association and Northern Ohio Minority Supplier Development Council. In addition, Lonnie Coleman, President of Coleman Spohn Corporation and long-standing Team NEO Board of Trustee, is chairing an advisory committee to assist in the efforts.
Team NEO has also been working with Singleton & Partners to develop a marketing plan. A business attraction brochure was revealed today that promotes the region’s commitment to diversity and inclusion. In addition, the organization will employ some of the same tactics utilized in generating and executing business attraction opportunities with site consultants under the Cleveland Plus branding umbrella.
“The entire community will benefit from these efforts,” said Carin Rockind, vice president of marketing and communications for Team NEO. “While we increase jobs for Cleveland Plus, the minority business network will grow as we grow the number of multicultural businesses. Ultimately our regional economy will be positively affected as new businesses expand into the region.”
The initiative is support by a number of financial resources, including the Charter One Foundation. In addition, with President Obama’s signature of the HR 1105: FY 2009 Omnibus Appropriations Act 2009, the organization will be a recipient of a $150,000 appropriation. The late Congresswoman Stephanie Tubbs Jones and Senator Sherrod Brown helped champion this effort and the organization will continue this work with Congresswoman Fudge.
About Team NEO:
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 more than 20 new companies, 2,200 new jobs and more than $70M in annual payroll to Northeast Ohio, leading to a total regional annual impact of $150M.
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