sir2gees

^In terms of reliance on manufacturing, don't you think we've turned the corner? That doesn't necessarily mean we will see immediate job growth, but the overall economy is less dependent on manufacturing now than it was 20 years ago. That's what I meant by "turning the corner." I know there are a lot or problems, but we've transtioned pretty quickly. Even if this transition isn't complete, at least we're moving in the right direction.

The last decade was rough. People forget the region was hammered during the 2001 reccesion. Think of all the manufacturing jobs we lost in the first half of the decade (close to 100K in Cuyahoga alone). Our manufacturing base bottomed out sometime last decade. When you lose 100K jobs in one recession, you can expect to see population loss. Also, the foreclosure crisis really hurt the local economy. However, in my opinion, we've turned the corner. We've finally moved away from our dependence on manufacturing. The area has developed a reputation as a national healthcare hub. We've also seen a tremendous amount of investment in the city over the last couple years. This last decade here reminds me of the 1980's in Pittsburgh. Pittsburgh saw the complete collapse of the steel industry and Cleveland witnessed the collapse of it's last steel mill and many other manufacturers. (http://www.post-gazette.com/pg/09076/955926-334.stm) Granted, it wasn't as rough here, but there are similarities.

Baby steps... Five of Cleveland's eastern suburbs to collaborate to reduce public safety costs Five eastern suburbs are prepared to sign an agreement on Tuesday, March 8, that will help them reduce public safety costs by sharing specialized equipment and pooling personnel in critical situations. http://www.crainscleveland.com/article/20110304/FREE/110309897

^^I agree. The last decade was pretty rough for the city and region. The foreclosure crisis, two recessions, and the bottoming-out of our manufacturing base really hurt the region. However, I think we are now positioned to see some growth over the next decade or so.

Nice article. If this continues, we may start to see some population gains over the 5-10 years.

Researchers to try positive thinking to change outlook in Cleveland Cleveland, Ohio -- Researchers want to see if positive thinking is contagious enough to get Clevelanders to believe this is a winning city. From the losing seasons of the Browns, Cavaliers and Indians to shuttered factories, unemployment and foreclosures, residents tend to cling to the negative, depressing aspects of Cleveland. http://www.cleveland.com/healthfit/index.ssf/2011/02/study_to_track_spread_of_happi.html

Cleveland International Fund eyes UH projects after raising $45 million for the Flats East Bank CLEVELAND, Ohio -- An infusion of foreign cash that helped revive construction in the Flats could be headed for University Circle. The Cleveland International Fund, which has amassed $45 million from 90 investors for the Flats East Bank project, now plans to attract wealthy individuals in China, India, Brazil and other countries to help finance the expansion of University Hospitals. The hospital system is wrapping up more than $1.2 billion in projects, including a new cancer hospital in Cleveland and a freestanding hospital in Beachwood. http://www.cleveland.com/business/index.ssf/2011/02/cleveland_international_fund_e.html

Museum of Contemporary Art Cleveland breaks ground for its new home "The Museum of Contemporary Art Cleveland today gets a start on its future by breaking ground for a striking new home in the Uptown District of the University Circle neighborhood. The $26.7 million building, at the corner of Euclid Avenue and Mayfield Road, is scheduled to open to the public in fall 2012. It's a 34,000-square-foot structure that will provide MOCA Cleveland with a permanent home for the first time in its 42-year history." http://www.crainscleveland.com/article/20110208/BLOGS03/110209864

The comments on Cleveland.com always get me. Most of the time I don't read them, but today I got sucked in. The constant complaining and whining about the dumbest stuff.

^HHS78, I agree with your point...I know of lot of people who have left Ohio with no job prospects just to be in a cooler city. I know my answer was a little simplistic, but I still think a better overall job market will improve Ohio's image. In theory, with more jobs there will be more people from out of state moving to Ohio who will be forced to explore Ohio. Hopefully, these people will tell others about their experiences.

Jobs, jobs, jobs...people follow opportunity. Everything else will follow. The state's "coolness factor" will rise with a better ecomomy.

$85M deal with Forest City for casino site closes By STAN BULLARD 10:13 am, February 1, 2011 Downtown Cleveland's planned casino just rang up an $85 million deal for Cleveland-based Forest City Enterprises Inc. Forest City announced this morning, Feb. 1, that it closed the sale of about 16 acres and air rights to Rock Ohio Caesars Cleveland LLC for the gaming palace. Forest City said Rock Ohio Caesars Cleveland paid $11 million in cash at the closing. The balance will be payable in installments in late 2011 and 2012.The site is on Huron Road next to Cleveland-based Forest City's Tower City Center mixed-use complex. In a news release, David LaRue, Forest City executive vice president and COO, called the sale a “milestone in the process of bringing a first-class casino to Tower City and the start of an exciting new future for downtown Cleveland entertainment. http://www.crainscleveland.com/article/20110201/FREE/110209986

Projects along the Cuyahoga River, in downtown Cleveland present opportunities for the Flats "CLEVELAND -- A longtime industrial corridor and onetime entertainment district, Cleveland's Flats could be repopulated with entrepreneurs, residents, cyclists, gamblers, rowers and aquarium-goers during the next decade. More than $2 billion in development is planned or under way in downtown Cleveland and near the banks of the Cuyahoga River. The Wolstein Group and Fairmount Properties are building an office tower on the east bank, at the seam of the Warehouse District and the Flats. Across the river, Jacobs Entertainment plans to break ground Wednesday for an aquarium." http://www.cleveland.com/business/index.ssf/2011/01/projects_along_the_cuyahoga_ri.html

The PD has an article about job growth numbers from the second quarter of 2009 to the second quarter of 2010. Cuyahoga is 53rd for pay growth but 167th for job growth among large counties: Sunday's Numbers "53: Cuyahoga County's rank among the nation's 327 largest counties for change in average weekly pay from the second quarter of 2009 to the same period in 2010. The latest figures were released last week. The 3.8 percent increase placed Cuyahoga third among the 11 large Ohio counties, behind No. 25 Butler (4.6 percent) and No. 50 Lorain (3.9 percent). 0.6 percent: Decline in the number of employees in Cuyahoga County, to 690,900 in the second quarter of 2010. The change ranked Cuyahoga 167th nationally and seventh among Ohio's 11 large counties. Elsewhere in the area, Summit fell 0.5 percent to 254,400, Lake fell 0.8 percent to 94,400 and Lorain fell 1.1 percent to 93,400." http://www.cleveland.com/datacentral/index.ssf/2011/01/cuyahoga_county_ranks_53rd_for.html

Looks like Pat Shumur , OC for the Rams, will be named head coach either today or tomorrow. It's not a sexy hire, but it makes sense. He's well versed in the west coast offense, which fits Colt's strengths, he helped groom McNabb in Philly and Bradford in St. Louis. I like the idea Holmgren has set up an organizational structure. This is something that has been missing since the Browns came back. Hopefully, this will mean everybody is on the same page.

Loved Montreal...awesome city.

It's Christmas...can't we all get along? CDM is right, the numbers show a decline in eastern Ohio. The last ten years have been hard on Northeastern Ohio.The area has lost well over 100,000 manufacturing jobs over the last ten years. People follow jobs and the area has lost quite a bit. However, that doesn't necessarily mean NEO will be on this path forever (NEO gained people during the 90's). It's a reflection of the the local economy over the last decade, that's it. NEO has finally moved towards a service based economy. I expect we will see an uptick over the next decade. I think some of us NEO posters feel these population estimates are thrown out as a way to poke fun of the region. Yes, we're probably being a little sensitive, but it's hard not to be when you've been the butt of jokes for the last 40 years.

Cleveland's going up: New projects, pioneers poised to give city a lift "You might call me crazy -- don't worry, you won't be the first -- but I think that in 10 years, we will look back on 2010 as the year that Cleveland turned the corner and began to regain its status as a vibrant American city." http://www.cleveland.com/opinion/index.ssf/2010/12/clevelands_going_up_new_projec.html#incart_hbx

^Agree...I graduated from Pitt, my wife is from Pittsburgh and got her MPA from Pitt and we discuss this topic a lot. Cleveland can learn a few things from Pittsburgh, but Pittsburgh's recent success is a little over-hyped.

Wow! He nailed it...I'm glad other people see it.

I can take my medicine. The Browns got manhandled, the Bengals pounded them. CDM, are you serious? The Reds are the only storied professional team in Ohio? I hope that's sarcasm...You really underestimate the Browns and their history. The Bengals wouldn't even exist if Art Modell had not fired Paul Brown. The Browns have the fourth most players enshrined in the Hall of Fame. Jim Brown is arguably the best player ever. Paul Brown changed how football was played. The Browns appeared in six NFL title games in the 50's and won three of them. The Browns won a championship in 1964 and appeared in three more NFL title games in the late sixties. The Browns had 7 playoff appearances in the 80's and played in three AFC championship games. So, Ohio has two storied professional franchises.

^ I will give you the Reds over the Indians, but I think you guys are little over your heads when it comes to the Browns versus Bengals.

^I think a lot of you forgot that the Browns have not always been bad. The Browns had 14 playoff appearances from 1964 to 1989, two AFC Championship games and 9 division titles. Yeah, there aren't a lot of new young fans becoming fans, but there a lot of people in their late 20s, 30s, 40s that became fans in the 80s who have passed the tradition down to their children who didn't live in Cleveland. Aresenio was hyping the Dawg Pound in the late 80s...you think the Browns picked up a few non-Clevelanders from that? Again, like I've said already, not every member of the Browns Backers has lived or has a connection to Cleveland. Jim Brown alone helped Browns pick up fans nationally. Tons of older African-American men are Browns fans because of Jim Brown. I remember Barry Sanders saying his father was a Browns fan because of Jim Brown. Condolezza Rice is Browns fans and she's from Alabama. One more thing...nobody has given me a reason why Bengal fans can't sell out games. Didn't the Bengals struggle to sell out this year's home opener? http://profootballtalk.nbcsports.com/2010/09/16/bengals-avoid-blackout-in-home-opener/

It may be...but how do you explain the Cowboys fan base? They have arguably the largest fan base in football, but reside in a high growth market. Like I said earlier, a lot of these members have never lived in Cleveland. Remember, the Browns were a very good organization from the 50's through late 80's. They picked up a lot of national fans that passed their loyalty on to their children.

^Again, why are you turning this into a city versus city argument? I never mentioned anything about Cincinnati's population numbers. I gave Browns Backers stats. Find me evidence that the Bengals have a larger and more loyal fan base than the Browns...you can't. Find me a comparable Benglas fan club...you can't. The Browns have sold every game since 1999. The have the second lowest winning percentage since 1999 and still sold out every game. The Browns have started 17 quaterbacks since 1999 and still sold every game. So, find me evidence that the Bengals fans are as loyal as Browns fans and please stop posting population estimates.