Posted February 11, 201312 yr So I am doing some work relating to ceds (Comprehensive Economic Development Strategy). I spent the first half of my day tying in traffic numbers in Mahoning and Trumbull Counties, second half of my day working on this economic development report. I am interning at Eastgate in Youngstown, and we have done a lot with the Northeast Ohio Sustainability Communities Consortium. Anyway, I am working with someone who went to Cleveland State for planning which is great as I did my freshmen year there, and we can go on about all things Cleveland. But I am not trying to be one of those Cleveland can't do anything types, but I am seriously concerned for Cleveland right now. Some of the stuff I found today that got me thinking: Cleveland can hype up its low unemployment rate, but at the cost of its rapidly declining labor force? http://www.pittsburghtoday.org/view_economy_unempl_change.html?m=6 Again, employment outlooks do not look good: http://www.pittsburghtoday.org/view_economy_unempl_change.html?m=6 Cleveland has seen little job (mostly NO) growth over the past two years. Even in tech growth (which I assumed Cleveland would be really excelling in), that looks pretty dismal. http://www.newgeography.com/content/003473-the-cities-winning-the-battle-for-the-biggest-growth-sector-in-the-us Maybe I am reading into things too much, but things really are not looking good at all for Cleveland.
February 11, 201312 yr Tell Tim Yova that "Ken the train guy in Cleveland" said hello. Ask him what kind of straw he wants for his next drink. Then run. "In the souls of the people the grapes of wrath are filling and growing heavy, growing heavy for the vintage." -- John Steinbeck
February 11, 201312 yr Tell Tim Yova that "Ken the train guy in Cleveland" said hello. Ask him what kind of straw he wants for his next drink. Then run. I will do that. Any change you will be coming down to Youngstown between now and June? I figured you might know some people there.
February 11, 201312 yr Lol, I thought this was going to be a thread about exercise habits or butter consumption or something like that. I'm guessing many of us expect Cleveland's grim showing on many conventional "performance" metrics. Not sure why anyone would expect the overall trend from the past few decades to all of a sudden turn around. We've discussed endlessly the underlying causes, without much clear consensus. But I humbly submit that quality life is the far more significant metric, and aggregate population growth is at best a second order driver of that. Not totally unimportant, but with respect to any one residents, not a great indicator of quality of life.
February 11, 201312 yr I will do that. Any change you will be coming down to Youngstown between now and June? I figured you might know some people there. You kidding? I'm in Youngstown A LOT. I will be there this Thursday. Feel free to join us.... YOUNGSTOWN -- Feb. 14th/Thursday -- 12 noon; V2 Wine Bar Trattoria, back room, 100 West Federal Street, Downtown Youngstown. RSVP to Ken Prendergast at 216-288-4883 or reply to this e-mail. PROPOSED AGENDA: rail development updates from around the region, announcement on May 17 Cleveland-Youngstown-Pittsburgh rail summit, east-west Amtrak service challenge/opportunity. Read more: http://www.urbanohio.com/forum2/index.php/topic,12191.245.html#ixzz2KdHJrnaJ "In the souls of the people the grapes of wrath are filling and growing heavy, growing heavy for the vintage." -- John Steinbeck
February 12, 201312 yr Sorry to say it, but Cleveland IS NOT healthy. Cleveland's labor force (from the Bureau of Labor Statistics); and yes, the number of people employed in the region did dropped to one of its lowest level in the last 10 years just last month. I know we have to take in account the seasons, but DAMMIT, this ain't good: Cleveland's employment (from the Bureau of Labor Statistics): Over 40,000 less people are employed today in the region than the region had employed in January of 2002. However, not all is bad... the bright side- young people are flocking downtown and to some of the inner neighborhoods of the city. There was a story in the PD recently about the city gaining $50 million in tax revenue due to new jobs being created in the city (which is already mostly accounted for). The perception of Cleveland to young folks is completely different than the generations which came before... some of whom still refer to Cleveland as "The Mistake on the Lake", or who love to bring up the river catching on fire. Yeah... I think they're showing their age. More needs to be done to draw people back to the region, that's for sure. How to do so is the question.
February 12, 201312 yr I don't mean this in a snarky way, but I don't think I've seen anyone here say our economy was healthy. We got smacked harder than most in both recessions last decade, and never even fully recovered from the first one when the second one hit. Employment is down, so population is decreasing. Decreasing population means a smaller labor force, but one more appropriately-sized for the available job pool, so unemployment is better than expected. I've personally come to the conclusion that the regional economy has gone through a really tough "right-sizing" period. It probably isn't fully over yet, but overall employment has generally been flat over the last couple years, which is better than more dramatic job losses. Our regional economy is more diversified than ever, and parts of our core are getting healthier and healthier. We're not there yet, but I see Cleveland better positioned for future growth than ever before. Now of course, that's no reason to be complacent. As a region, we need to make a better effort to attract and retain jobs in a coordinated way, but the way I see it, the foundation is there.
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