Guided by the “All In” plan, GCP and partners are working together to accelerate growth and prosperity across Greater Cleveland. 

Cleveland: Big Ideas, Bold Ventures.

 

 

When we are All In, we all win, and the wins started to accumulate in 2023. The last year saw many companies announce expansions, the region named an innovation hub for sustainable manufacturing and materials, two new skyscrapers topping off downtown, continued development of the region’s waterfronts and parks and more new flights and carriers to CLE, including a direct flight to Europe.   

And, these are just a few headlines. Read on for an in-depth look at 2023 in Greater Cleveland. 

 

Dynamic Businesses 

Cleveland Clinic and IBM unveiled its partnered quantum computer, which will help researchers accelerate discovery of new medicines and treatments. 

CWRU is building a new $300m research building to boost the region’s economy, attract and retain researchers and breakdown racial boundaries. 

LabConnect will create 167 jobs in Cleveland as part of the emerging innovation district around the Cleveland Clinic’s main campus. 

Sustainability came to the forefront: A regional collaboration led by CWRU won a NSF grant; The Greater Akron Chamber was awarded a Sustainable Polymers Tech Hub designation and planning grant; Ohio received nearly $1b in clean hydrogen hub funding; Cleveland startup CLEANR developed laundry filtration technology; and  LAND Energy is taking a lead in Ohio’s EV space.  

Midsize business experienced notable growth: Flexjet unveiled a new $50m headquarters in Cleveland; Minutemen opened a new headquarters in Midtown; and Apex dermatology expanded its  footprint by opening its 14th location. Greater Cleveland companies, including Cleveland Kitchen, made Inc. Magazine’ list of the 5,000 fastest growing companies. Cleveland Kitchen will expand its Midtown production facility.  

NASA Glenn opened a new Aerospace Communications Facility to develop advanced communications methods. 

Nestlé’s innovation group is working to redefine the art of customization in the food and beverage industry. 

SBA head Isabella Guzman spotlights small businesses during Cleveland visit. 

COSE launched the sixth season of Cleveland Chain Reaction. The small business pitch competition connects entrepreneurs to capital and mentors and places new businesses in Cleveland neighborhoods to create jobs and build prosperity. 

Ohio’s biennial budget included significant income and business tax reductions, the largest in state history, reducing Ohio’s top personal tax rate to 3.5%. 

 

Abundant Talent 

Greater Cleveland has been net gaining college-educated individuals over the last six years. 

GCP and partners hosted a series of Summer in the Land parties that attracted nearly 1,000 registrants. 

Forbes named Cleveland an innovation hub and added 30 locals to their Under 30 Local Lists. More than 6,000 attended the publication’s flagship Under 30 Summit in Cleveland. 

CSU received a $2m grant to help CMSD students explore and pursue careers in computer science and IT. 

JCU received a $2.5m grant to help low-income students pursing STEM degrees. 

Lorain Community College led a regional effort for a $5M grant to expand training for tech-oriented jobs. 

Tri-C will offer programs and certifications that support those drawn to the “gig economy.”  

In collaboration with nearly 100 employers and dozens of community stakeholders, GCP’s Apprenticeship Hub has added 12 innovative Registered Apprenticeship Programs to transform companies and fuel a more inclusive talent system. 

PNC expanded its PartnerUp program to Cleveland, giving high school graduates an alternative pathway to a career. Building Stronger Individuals introduces students to trade industries and creates pathways to successful futures. 

Ohio’s biennial budget included increased support for internships, sector partnerships ($10M), tech upskilling ($50M), and career tech education. It also included the largest increase to need-based college aid in history ($400M). 

 

Inclusive Opportunity 

Secretary of Commerce Gina Raimondo visited Cleveland to connect with minority business owners. 

Cleveland’s new Community Benefits Ordinance offers the opportunity to use this moment of unprecedented development to transform the community. The City allocated $10M to increase minority participation in the construction sector. 

CDA and partners launched Equitable Development Initiative to support developers of color. 

Seventy-one CEOs and chief HR officers attended GCP’s CEO Forum to discuss best practices for improving diversity in senior leadership, such as increasing financial support for DEI initiatives. GCP hosted a sold-out Equity and Inclusion Conference, attracting more than 300 attendees. 

The number of women CEOs continues to grow in Greater Cleveland. 

Greater Cleveland is trending higher in board diversity than what is seen nationally.  

CentroVilla25 celebrated a groundbreaking, a market for Cleveland's Hispanic communities. 

Studio 117 West continues to expand with plans for residential units, a healthcare center and retirement community. 

Global Cleveland’s global residence program eases the path to business ownership for Cleveland’s immigrant entrepreneurs. Newcomer Navigators connects immigrants and refugees to employment and services and is supporting City-led efforts to welcome newcomers to Cleveland. 

FutureLAND continues to promote diversity in tech, arts and entrepreneurship.  

 

Appealing Community 

The city revealed initial thoughts and sketches for the emerging North Coast Master Plan. 

The Rock Hall broke ground on its $135 million-plus expansion. Cleveland’s Robert P. Madison International named architect of record. 

The City of Cleveland and Bedrock have come to an agreement for redevelopment of Tower City, and the Cuyahoga riverfront. Bedrock the Cavs and Cleveland Clinic also unveiled plans for the new Global Peak Performance Center.  

The Port of Cleveland broke ground on the $60m Irishtown Bend project to stabilize the hillside. 

Sherwin-Williams and City Club Apartments top off construction, spotlighting downtown growth. 

Cleveland Airport will see a completed master plan and 10m passengers in 2023. 

Aer Lingus launched nonstop service from Cleveland to Dublin. 

Frontier announced an expansion at CLE, with flights to San Diego, San Francisco, Dallas and Charlotte. A new flight is connecting Cleveland and San Juan. 

Playhouse squared debuted its new marquees during a special Marquee Moments event 

The Bank of America Institute shows Greater Cleveland has been one of the fastest growing large metros since the start of the pandemic.