July 2010

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Cleveland Plus works closely with the Fund for Our Economic Future to disseminate good news and information about our region. The Fund is a collaboration of philanthropy in Northeast Ohio formed in 2004 to help transform the region's economy through grantmaking, research and civic engagement. We encourage you to learn more about the Fund and the Advance Northeast Ohio economic competitiveness agenda. 

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Cleveland Plus® invites you to read the recent good news of the region, attend an exciting event in Northeast Ohio and pass along the many plusses to your friends, colleagues and family members. This month’s issue focuses on the food industry in The Plus. Did you know Northeast Ohio is a leader in food processing? And, it is home to several well-known food brands like Smucker’s and Sugardale? We encourage you to attend one of the food events in Happenings, try one of the hands-on food activities in Adventures, and learn more about Amish Country’s food-related contributions to the region in Place.

Nine projects win Team NEO Economic Development Plus Awards Nine highly impactful economic development projects have been recognized at the fourth annual Team NEO Economic Developmnet Plus Awards, presented by PNC, for creating jobs, attracting investment and developing opportunities for Northeast Ohio. In 2009, the projects helped the region’s economic development efforts that represented more than $1 billion in capital investment, advanced 115 projects and created 3,200 jobs. Visit the Team NEO/Cleveland Plus Business website to read more about the winners.
Fund awards up to $5.32 million for regional initiatives The Fund for Our Economic Future recently awarded six one-year grants to regional nonprofit economic development organizations working to grow and attract companies.
Cleveland Foundation grants $17.4 million to area nonprofits Nearly $3 million will support economic transformation in Northeast Ohio. Other grants were made in areas such as neighborhood revitalization, public school improvement, and arts and culture.
The University of Akron creates FirstEnergy Advanced Energy Research Center The new center will research and create ways to capture carbon dioxide, which would then be used at fossil-fueled power plants and to develop coal-based fuel cells for commercial use.
Akron Children’s Hospital Mahoning Valley to build $7M surgery center Nearly 14,000 square feet of space will be renovated to accommodate the new surgery center, which will include surgical suites, a renovated sterile processing center, a patient recovery area and patient preparation area.
Researchers with Northeast Ohio ties discover relative of fossil Lucy Scientists from Case Western Reserve University, Kent State University and the Cleveland Museum of Natural History were part of an international team that discovered a skeleton they believe dates back 3.6 million years.
Four Northeast Ohio projects win state tax credits for historic preservation More than $12 million went to the projects that included renovations of Cleveland’s Schofield and Union buildings, the remake of a church for Baldwin-Wallace College's Conservatory of Music, and the restoration of the Kaiser Building in downtown Akron.
InfoCision plans to hire 200 The Akron-based company, which already employs 1,400 in the area, is looking to hire 200 more employees to work at its call centers in Boardman and Austintown. In March, the company added 400 workers at those sites.
Kent State aims to build enrollment at Twinsburg satellite campus with new, larger building This is the first step in a plan to transform the campus into a regional academic center. When the new facility opens in 2012, it will offer graduate education, plus more continuing-education and work-force development programs.
Northeast Ohio Towpath completes 40-mile stretch Now you can travel a continuous 40 miles, from Harvard Avenue in Cleveland to Canal Park in Akron, on the Towpath Trail. In all, 80 miles of the 101-mile route are done and planners expect the trail to be complete by 2020.
Plus… read what publications across the country are saying about Cleveland Plus.

See the tall ships at the Port of Cleveland: July 7-11 A fleet of tall ships will sail into the Port of Cleveland to participate in a four-day festival that will showcase the diverse Great Lakes maritime history, spotlighting environmental themes while promoting youth leadership through sail training.
Terminal Tower observation deck to open for weekend visitors: beginning July 10 The glass-enclosed room will be open on four consecutive weekends as a limited engagement with the possibility of becoming a permanent tourist attraction. Tickets can be purchased at Tower City's guest services desk.
Celebrate National Ice Cream Month at Lake Metroparks Farmpark: July 10 and 11 This July weekend gives visitors the opportunity to try their hand at making ice cream and enjoy an old fashioned ice cream social along with games, crafts and more.
Shape the future of our post-industrial cities at the GLUE conference: July 15-17 Great Lakes Urban Exchange (GLUE) will hold its third annual conference in Cleveland. Expect speakers on urban policy, visits to promising Cleveland initiatives and the opportunity to help re-imagine Cleveland.
Clay’s Park Rock ‘n’ Resort Festival promises a break from the ordinary: July 16-18 The seventh annual festival will again host a wide variety of national headline artists, top tribute bands, independent recording artists and acoustic performers along with camping, contests and charity events.
Hudson Wine Festival will benefit the Humane Society of Greater Akron: July 16-18 Held at the First & Main Shopping District, the festival will showcase more than 250 wines from local, national and international producers. Guests will enjoy musical entertainment, delectable foods and wine education seminars.
National Hamburger Festival brings food and fun to Akron: July 17 and 18 After drawing more than 25,000 people last year, the competition that supports Akron Children’s Hospital will resume at Lock 3 Park in downtown Akron, complete with live music and quirky burger-themed games.
Attend Taste of Akron, one of the region’s most delicious summer events: July 22 Invitations are extended to Akron's best ethnic and classic restaurants to offer a genuine "Taste of Akron." More than 25 restaurants will present food samples at the culinary event that also includes a special steak grilling competition, The Finest Cut.
Burning River Fest sparks environmental awareness:  July 24 and 25 This year’s party will feature music, fresh food from local farms and eateries and educational environmental exhibits, along with brewery offerings. Proceeds benefit the Burning River Foundation that supports the sustainable future of our waterways.
Oberlin Summer Theater Festival offers productions of classics: select July dates The second season of this festival will offer three family classics: Thornton Wilder's “Our Town,” Madeleine L'Engle's "A Wrinkle In Time" and William Shakespeare’s “Much Ado About Nothing.” All performances are free.

Amish Country   Amish Country is an important contributor to the region’s food production industry. While the community exports food, along with many other goods, to far-away places, you can easily find them by just visiting the Northeast Ohio destinations listed below.

Amish Auctions + Amish Culture Tours + Amish Door Village + Drive-Thru Amish Country + Eastwood Amish Craft Furniture + End of the Commons General Store + Farm Markets and Farm Stores + Hartville Chocolate Factory + Hasseman House Bed & Breakfast + Hearthside Quilt Shoppe + Kidron Auction + Kidron Town & Country + Lehman’s Hardware + Mary Yoder’s Amish Kitchen + Middlefield Cheese + Mrs. Miller’s Homemade Noodles + Red Maple Inn + Ridgeview Country Tours + Ridgeview Farm + Schlabach Furniture

Experience Northeast Ohio’s food industry   Create your own special food experience by attending a class at a local cooking school, picking fresh fruit on a nearby farm or taking a tour of one of our region’s food production facilities. Some suggested activities are listed below.
American Wine School - Cleveland + Aufdenkampe Family Farm + Basket of Life Farm + The Chef’s Garden + Eddy’s Fruit Farm + Grandpa’s Cheese Barn + Grilling Classes + Harry London Quality Chocolates Factory Tours + Haymaker Farmers’ Market + The Loretta Paganini School of Cooking + Mapleside Farms + North Union Farmers Market + Northeast Ohio Maple Producers Tour + Pick ‘n’ Save Orchard + Rosby Berry Farm + Scenic Ridge Fruit Farm + Smucker’s Store and Museum + Viking Cooking School + West Orchards Farm Market + The Western Reserve School of Cooking
Many of our region’s restaurants are incorporating locally grown food and ingredients into their dishes, too. Check out some Cleveland area restaurants that are embracing this trend.
Plus… find more adventures.

Engage Tip of the Month: Support our region’s economy by buying local Buying locally grown or produced food, rather than purchasing food shipped from elsewhere, helps our food production industry become more competitive. Next time you head out to buy groceries, check out I Buy NEO to find local, independently owned businesses that meet your needs. And, take the Buy Local Challenge July 3 - 10 by pledging to redirect $100 of existing spending to locally owned and operated businesses in the region. Participants will receive a discount card to use at a number of area businesses and attractions.

 

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