Progressive planning expansion

Mayfield, insurer discuss tax incentives for new headquarters

Wednesday, April 05, 2006

Leila Atassi

Plain Dealer Reporter

 

Article Removed

Brett and Rinker said the headquarters would draw managers from Progressive's two existing campuses and may siphon some employees from other Progressive operations in Mayfield Heights, Highland Heights, Mentor or Wickliffe.

 

Cathy Murphy, City Council president in Highland Heights, where Progressive also is the largest employer, said the prospect of losing the company - and its income taxes of about $1 million a year - would devastate the city.

 

"This news is definitely a cause for concern," Murphy said. "Especially because it seems Progressive will have room at its new facility for 1,300 employees, which is about the number of Progressive employees who work in our city."

 

Brett said other suburbs could eventually recoup lost jobs if Progressive continues to grow at a rate of 7 percent a year.

 

"The fact remains that Progressive could have moved its headquarters to any number of locations outside of Ohio," Brett said.

 

"And in the long run, anchoring Progressive in the village will have a positive ripple effect on the rest of Cuyahoga County."

 

I may be reading too far into this portion of the article, but it certainly casts both the Mayor and Finance Director of Mayfield Village to be pretty arrogant.  They seem to be implying that if consolidation for the company didn't occur within Mayfield then Progressive very well may have jumped ship.

 

Maybe I'm just really enthused after reading about both the proposed revenue sharing between Shaker Heights and Cleveland in regard to OfficeMax, and the revenue sharing that is going to take place between Independence and Cleveland with the Cavs this seems to be another ideal candidate.  My concern is that it may lead to some bad blood between Highland Heights and Mayfield at a time when the region really seems to be embracing the concept of thinking and planning on a regional scale (albeit gradually).  Maybe its premature to write off the possibility of revenue sharing but from reading the article above and the attitude projected by Mayfield officials it doesn't seem likely.

This is a little off topic, but does anyone know the fully story behind the progessive tower downtown? More specifically, why was it never built?

The official word from Peter Lewis' spokesperson is that it was a "business decision made by the board of directors when Al Lerner was the chairman".

 

It's been rumored that former Mayor Mike White wasn't very cooperative (imagine that!).

I would love to find out more about this.  Mr. White spoke to our class last night. From his tone, he is very pro-tax abatement.  If that was the issue, I would think that the city would have come through.  MGD, we need to get Silliman's or Strnisha's take on that situation.

The official word from Peter Lewis' spokesperson is that it was a "business decision made by the board of directors when Al Lerner was the chairman".

 

It's been rumored that former Mayor Mike White wasn't very cooperative (imagine that!).

 

 

I heard it was because progressive wanted to have the tallest building in Cleveland, on top Amtrak station but it was denied because it to high and to close to Burke airport.

 

and i heard it was b/c Peter likes to smoke weed.

 

The bp building on paper was taller than the tower city. (it depends on who you pay!)

Ohhhhkay, like I said - his spokesperson - the person who coordinated all the info and images that you see on clevelandskyscrapers.com's "Unbuilt" section stated explicitly that it was a business decision. Now, there were likely some political motivations as well, but smoking weed?

I agree. And besides, I would think that smoking weed would motivate him to build a downtown skyscraper. That way he could get even higher.

If anyone has access to it, there was a really long article in the PD 2-3 yrs ago about the Progressive building and why it wasn't built.  That article either outright said or strongly implied that it wasn't built b/c Peter felt like the powers that be in Cleveland didn't accept him and weren't willing to help him get it done. 

I remember that article (or one like it).  It made it pretty clear that (at least in PL's mind) the Clevo business establishment never gave him his due (perhaps due to subtle antisemitism) and completely failed to rally around the tower and associated amenities.  Given the at that time adventurous design of the tower I am not surprised that was the case but think it was a huge loss for the city.

 

Pretty sure the weed didn't influence his decision but it might have contibuted to the cold shoulder from the establishment fossils.

I agree. And besides, I would think that smoking weed would motivate him to build a downtown skyscraper. That way he could get even higher.

 

Smoking weed was not the reason, but a article in scene or free times did.

i am going to try to find it. i only believe 10% what they print.

Mine was a joke, Robclevoh.

I agree. And besides, I would think that smoking weed would motivate him to build a downtown skyscraper. That way he could get even higher.

 

wow, worst joke of the year

We aims to please

Maybe we could rename this thread "Mayfield: Progressive Insurance"

 

Progressive Car Insurance to Hire 260 People in Cleveland by End of January

 

MAYFIELD VILLAGE, Ohio, Sep 28, 2010 (BUSINESS WIRE) -- Smart, outgoing people looking for flexible schedules, competitive pay and job perks like an on-site fitness center may want to consider joining Progressive car insurance, named one of Northeast Ohio's best places to work by Top Workplaces 2010 and NorthCoast 99. Progressive, the fourth largest auto insurance group in the country, plans to fill approximately 260 new positions in sales, service, and claims at its Cleveland and Mentor contact centers by January 31, 2011.

 

http://www.marketwatch.com/story/progressive-car-insurance-to-hire-260-people-in-cleveland-by-end-of-january-2010-09-28?reflink=MW_news_stmp

 

 

Apparently Progressive is having a heck of a time finding qualified applicants.  This is according to a friend of mine who has been there for three years

Apparently Progressive is having a heck of a time finding qualified applicants. This is according to a friend of mine who has been there for three years

 

Progressive, and HR people in general, are having a hard time looking outside the box and identifying people who are capable of doing the job required vs. finding people who have done that exact job before.

Apparently Progressive is having a heck of a time finding qualified applicants. This is according to a friend of mine who has been there for three years

 

Progressive, and HR people in general, are having a hard time looking outside the box and identifying people who are capable of doing the job required vs. finding people who have done that exact job before.

 

Agreed. There is a real talent gap between employers and emplyees in NEO right now. I liked Gramarye's suggestion in the Ohio Governor thread that potential employers could hire capable candidates and net a portion of the cost of re-training them out of their compensation for a period of time to offset the costs.

Apparently Progressive is having a heck of a time finding qualified applicants. This is according to a friend of mine who has been there for three years

 

Progressive, and HR people in general, are having a hard time looking outside the box and identifying people who are capable of doing the job required vs. finding people who have done that exact job before.

 

Agreed. There is a real talent gap between employers and emplyees in NEO right now. I liked Gramarye's suggestion in the Ohio Governor thread that potential employers could hire capable candidates and net a portion of the cost of re-training them out of their compensation for a period of time to offset the costs.

 

I think it has more to do with the fact that Progressive doesn't pay very well.  When I was looking for a new job I didn't even consider them after seeing what some of their developer salaries were like.  Of course, maybe my sample size wasn't big enough and they do in fact pay well, but that's not the impression I have.

From what I've seen / heard, Progressive historically filled most of its positions internally. To get in, you have to get in on the ground floor (not dissimilar to how MBNA used to operate). Of course, this makes me wonder why they're having so much issue with finding qualified candidates.

^^If Progressive does not pay well that is apparently a more recent change in philosophy.  I was offered a job years ago with them (no I am not going to tell how long) which I turned down, but had to think long and hard about it because the salary was very good and actually more than the job I eventually took.  One of the reasons I did turn down the job was because I was counseled  (by a high up former employee who I trusted) about the corporate culture which existed at the time, and was sorta turned off by it.

From what I've seen / heard, Progressive historically filled most of its positions internally. To get in, you have to get in on the ground floor (not dissimilar to how MBNA used to operate). Of course, this makes me wonder why they're having so much issue with finding qualified candidates.

 

These are call center jobs. I doubt there's many people at the corporate offices who would move into those positions.

Progressive, and HR people in general, are having a hard time looking outside the box and identifying people who are capable of doing the job required vs. finding people who have done that exact job before.

 

I can't speak to Progressive, but I agree that this is a common issue that I've seen multiple times.

Well President Clinton spoke about the fact there a plentiful jobs out there but many people do not have the skills required.  My understanding is corporate america has become so rigid that people (HR) cannot critically read a resume and understand that person A has never done this job before but their prior experience shows they have the same core competencies but just in a different industry.