Each community and each region in the nation has its own unique combination of assets.  Cleveland must use its assets as guideposts in charting a course to economic prosperity.  It is recognized that Cleveland will not become the next Silicon Valley nor will it become the next Disney World!  If Cleveland is to prosper economically, however, it must work to enhance those uniquely Cleveland assets that will make the city most competitive in the 21st century.  Key assets on which Cleveland’s economic growth and regeneration can and should be built can be grouped under the following headings:

ACCESS TO MARKETS AND RAW MATERIALS

• A central location within the metropolitan area and within a populous region of the nation
• Excellent access to transportation by air, water, rail and highway

MANUFACTURING CAPABILITY

• A well-established base of manufacturing firms, particularly in metals-related industries, and an associated skilled workforce

PLENTIFUL LAND, WATER & ENERGY

• Under-utilized land near freeway interchanges
• Plentiful and affordable water resources
• Readily available utilities, including a municipally-owned electric utility

The world-renowned Cleveland Clinic, one of the City’s largest employers, is situated in an industry sector (health care/biotechnology) poised for sustained growth.  [Cleveland Clinic Inter-Continental Hotel]

CUTTING-EDGE INDUSTRIES

• An emerging bio-medical technology sector, associated with the area’s medical and academic institutions
• An emerging environment-related business sector, focused on brownfield remediation, green building, alternative energy sources, etc.

CULTURE & RECREATION

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  Cleveland’s vibrant arts scene, which includes its historic theater district, contributes mightily to the City’s draw as a cultural destination spot.  [Playhouse Square Center]
  Nationally renowned cultural institutions, including the Cleveland Orchestra, the Cleveland Museum of Art, the Cleveland Playhouse, Karamu House and Playhouse Square Center (with 10,605 seats, the second largest performing arts center in the U.S., after New York’s Lincoln Center)
• An extensive park system, including the famed “Emerald Necklace”Lake Erie, with 12 miles of shoreline, marinas, sail boating, fishing & lakefront living

URBAN LIVING

• Mixed-use, pedestrian- and transit-oriented neighborhoods with distinctive, often historical architectural character, capable of attracting creative and entrepreneurial residents
• Loft-style living, urban townhouse, historic homes and other housing options
• A strong network of neighborhood-based community development corporations that tackle development challenges that the private sector is unwilling to. Examples include historic theatre renovation and urban wetlands enhancement.

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