Startup company's speedier process for making whiskey could lift Cleveland's spirits

Published: Wednesday, July 21, 2010, 8:04 PM   

Tom Breckenridge, The Plain Dealer

 

The veteran marketing executive and one-time hooch maker wants to lift your spirits, Cleveland, by producing whiskey here and selling it worldwide.

 

His startup company, Cleveland Whiskey LLC, has a federal permit to test his innovation for making whiskey faster, a $25,000 grant and space in a new-business incubator near downtown Cleveland.

 

But Lix faces challenges that can drive entrepreneurs to drink. Half of all startup companies fail in the first three to five years, said David Crain, who directs the East 25th Street incubator where Cleveland Whiskey is among 20 aspiring companies.

 

Cleveland has assets for his venture, including abundant freshwater, affordable real estate and a strong entrepreneurial support network, Lix said.

 

"We have these beautiful industrial structures," he said. "I'd like to put something back inside those buildings."

 

http://www.cleveland.com/business/index.ssf/2010/07/startup_companys_speedier_proc.html

What a blasphemer.  I laud his eagerness to be here, but he'll never get my hard liquor dollar.

I'm surprised someone else here hasn't been tracking this:

 

The Cleveland metro's job growth in 2010 is quite strong. Roughly 50,000 jobs have been added since the beginning of the year. In fact, June will be the first month of this year to see monthly year-over-year job growth for the metro, not seasonally adjusted. The unemployment rate is creeping up over 9% again but only because the metro's civilian labor force is growing at a good clip and it looks like people are finding work.

 

http://www.bls.gov/eag/eag.oh_cleveland_msa.htm

 

 

I wonder if those numbers point to possible regional growth...

 

Great news! 

As said above, unemployment in Cuyahoga has remained below the national average for the entire crisis. And we're doing better than most of the state on balance (even Franklin was doing worse than us for a time, but not anymore). Here's a visualization:

 

http://www.nytimes.com/interactive/2009/03/03/us/20090303_LEONHARDT.html

 

Other MSAs have been hit really hard by this crisis but Cleveland just trudges along as always. Take a look at the Case-Shiller housing price index data here:

 

http://i.imgur.com/by4N1.png

 

Amazing how on average, our market stayed the flattest throughout the entire bubble. Maybe it was because blight dragged down the average, but I like to think it's because we never bought into this bubble BS. :)

As said above, unemployment in Cuyahoga has remained below the national average for the entire crisis. And we're doing better than most of the state on balance (even Franklin was doing worse than us for a time, but not anymore). Here's a visualization:

 

http://www.nytimes.com/interactive/2009/03/03/us/20090303_LEONHARDT.html

 

Other MSAs have been hit really hard by this crisis but Cleveland just trudges along as always. Take a look at the Case-Shiller housing price index data here:

 

http://i.imgur.com/by4N1.png

 

Amazing how on average, our market stayed the flattest throughout the entire bubble. Maybe it was because blight dragged down the average, but I like to think it's because we never bought into this bubble BS. :)

 

Quite right....

 

There never was a bubble in CLE/Cuyahoga County, nor the rest of Ohio for that matter.

 

What is striking is the increase in the unemployment rate year over year in some of the supposedly "hot" spots in the country.  While CLE area is fairly steady in the 9% region - a high rate - it atleast shows that job loss/creation year over year is pretty even.

 

But, when the recovery gains steam, how will  CLE's unemployment rate fare?  Will it substantially improve? Will the rate in the economic hot spots improve?  This is a key indicator.

MD,

I think that depends where the recovery comes from. The post 2001 recovery was driven mostly by the housing bubble so NEO was left out. If advanced manufacturing or the medical field are leading the recovery NEO should fair much better than the last recovery. Not to restate the obvious.

"But, when the recovery gains steam, how will  CLE's unemployment rate fare?  Will it substantially improve? Will the rate in the economic hot spots improve?  This is a key indicator. "

 

I think a lot of the reason for the net emigration out of state was due to the housing boom creating what were essentially temporary construction jobs in places like Florida, Georgia and California.  The growth of these places was almost entirely fueled by the housing boom, hence their unusually high unemployment now. Chicago is also severely struggling in this department as entire downtown skyscrapers were simply halted in 2008/2009 after digging the foundation or partial construction (see the Chicago Spire and Waterview Tower). I predict that we're going to see a bounce back as much of the Cleveland diaspora move back home after struggling in these places to find any work at all.

I think a lot of the reason for the net emigration out of state was due to the housing boom creating what were essentially temporary construction jobs in places like Florida, Georgia and California. The growth of these places was almost entirely fueled by the housing boom, hence their unusually high unemployment now.

 

Phoenix is another good example of this.

All the more reason to capitalize on our position and create, lure, bribe in manufacturing jobs now so these people have a job to come home to. 

All the more reason to capitalize on our position and create, lure, bribe in manufacturing jobs now so these people have a job to come home to. 

 

Capitlize and market jobs and the region, but with failing faith in leaders, I would know way "bribe" anyone to move to NE Ohio. 

 

If they are a company that is willing to bribe their way in, they would do whatever to move to the next area that offers more.

Good innovative effort here...  Let's just not get the product in the hands of the local drunks floating through the neighborhoods. (Like "Randy" on the near west side!, and that toothless female they call "Queen No-Theetha")  :drunk:  :lol:

^^ On that chart of employment provided above from the BLS, those numbers aren't seasonally adjusted. Graphically, it just looks like a standard seasonal upsurge in employment, though starting from a lower low of about 50,000 jobs less. Could be different, though, as it looks like the seasonal run-ups are coming earlier and more strongly in many sectors. Areas like health care, leisure and government, unaffected by the cyclical economy, continue to grow at their same pace. Financial activities, which have slumped since their peak in 2005, are making a sharp upturn this summer even though it's typically not a seasonally affected job.

forbes list talk moved to appropriate thread.

 

http://www.urbanohio.com/forum2/index.php/topic,22264.180.html

^^ On that chart of employment provided above from the BLS, those numbers aren't seasonally adjusted. Graphically, it just looks like a standard seasonal upsurge in employment, though starting from a lower low of about 50,000 jobs less. Could be different, though, as it looks like the seasonal run-ups are coming earlier and more strongly in many sectors. Areas like health care, leisure and government, unaffected by the cyclical economy, continue to grow at their same pace. Financial activities, which have slumped since their peak in 2005, are making a sharp upturn this summer even though it's typically not a seasonally affected job.

 

You are right, and that's why I said it was not seasonally adjusted. That being said, the total June jobs numbers are higher than in any month of 2009 so I think it does show that there is a sign of a recovery for the area. Also more jobs have been added in the first 6 months of 2010 than in 2009. What's very interesting is that while construction has rebounded (although still below 2009 levels) it's manufacturing that has really turned itself around. If you look at the 20 year chart, manufacturing in the Cleveland area has been either flat or on the decline for the most part, until this year. The rebound of manufacturing and the steady growth of health care jobs in the area are pushing total jobs numbers up in 2010, when they are still in a decline in most other metros.

 

I'm suprised the Pee Dee hasn't picked up on this. It's a different economic dynamic that isn't being reported.

^^ On that chart of employment provided above from the BLS, those numbers aren't seasonally adjusted. Graphically, it just looks like a standard seasonal upsurge in employment, though starting from a lower low of about 50,000 jobs less. Could be different, though, as it looks like the seasonal run-ups are coming earlier and more strongly in many sectors. Areas like health care, leisure and government, unaffected by the cyclical economy, continue to grow at their same pace. Financial activities, which have slumped since their peak in 2005, are making a sharp upturn this summer even though it's typically not a seasonally affected job.

 

You are right, and that's why I said it was not seasonally adjusted. That being said, the total June jobs numbers are higher than in any month of 2009 so I think it does show that there is a sign of a recovery for the area. Also more jobs have been added in the first 6 months of 2010 than in 2009. What's very interesting is that while construction has rebounded (although still below 2009 levels) it's manufacturing that has really turned itself around. If you look at the 20 year chart, manufacturing in the Cleveland area has been either flat or on the decline for the most part, until this year. The rebound of manufacturing and the steady growth of health care jobs in the area are pushing total jobs numbers up in 2010, when they are still in a decline in most other metros.

 

I'm suprised the Pee Dee hasn't picked up on this. It's a different economic dynamic that isn't being reported.

 

It hasn't been picked up because it doesn't fit the PD's "Cleveland sucks" campaign.

^^ On that chart of employment provided above from the BLS, those numbers aren't seasonally adjusted. Graphically, it just looks like a standard seasonal upsurge in employment, though starting from a lower low of about 50,000 jobs less. Could be different, though, as it looks like the seasonal run-ups are coming earlier and more strongly in many sectors. Areas like health care, leisure and government, unaffected by the cyclical economy, continue to grow at their same pace. Financial activities, which have slumped since their peak in 2005, are making a sharp upturn this summer even though it's typically not a seasonally affected job.

 

You are right, and that's why I said it was not seasonally adjusted. That being said, the total June jobs numbers are higher than in any month of 2009 so I think it does show that there is a sign of a recovery for the area. Also more jobs have been added in the first 6 months of 2010 than in 2009. What's very interesting is that while construction has rebounded (although still below 2009 levels) it's manufacturing that has really turned itself around. If you look at the 20 year chart, manufacturing in the Cleveland area has been either flat or on the decline for the most part, until this year. The rebound of manufacturing and the steady growth of health care jobs in the area are pushing total jobs numbers up in 2010, when they are still in a decline in most other metros.

 

I'm suprised the Pee Dee hasn't picked up on this. It's a different economic dynamic that isn't being reported.

 

It hasn't been picked up because it doesn't fit the PD's "Cleveland sucks" campaign.

 

I agree with ya. It's just an interesting story even beyond Cleveland. While Ohio is posting very modest job growth for May and June, that growth is coming from a state that has been flipped on its end. Job growth is coming from Cleveland, Youngstown and Toledo while there's yet to be a full rebound in places like Columbus and Cincinnati. I don't know how long this trend will last but it's something not seen in Ohio probably since the 1930's, if ever.

Also some good news regarding wind power in this piece. And I know this is going to sound superficial, but if the level of traffic on the roads is an indication, then it sure seems like the economic situation is in improving here! BTW, who really "knows" how long anything will last? It is against the law for headline writers to be positive?

 

Manufacturing rebounding in Cleveland area, but business leaders unsure how long it will last

Published: Thursday, August 05, 2010, 6:12 PM   Updated: Thursday, August 05, 2010, 8:05 PM

John Funk, The Plain Dealer

 

MAYFIELD HEIGHTS, Ohio -- There is growing evidence that manufacturing in Greater Cleveland is rebounding and more jobs are being created, the head of a regional manufacturing advocacy group and two manufacturing executives said Thursday.

 

"We are actually doing better. Cleveland metropolitan area job growth has been the highest among major metropolitan areas in the country," said Daniel Berry, president and chief executive officer of MAGNET.

 

Berry participated in a panel discussion with Lincoln Electric Company CEO John Stropki and Cardinal Fastener & Specialty Co. CEO John Grabner at the monthly luncheon of the Corporate Club of Landerhaven.

 

READ MORE AT:

http://www.cleveland.com/business/index.ssf/2010/08/manufacturing_jobs_in_clevelan.html

Not the worst piece the PD ever wrote. At least they went a whole article without mentioning 'rust belt' 'america's poorest cities' and 'cuyahoga river fire'.

 

While wind has the potential to benefit certain large scale producers, like forging companies, many of the smaller 'job shop' type manufacturers won't see a lot of upside from this industry. Most of the parts are too large for the typical 30-100 employee firm to handle. I've spoken with a few manufacturers and most of them feel like they have a better shot with getting new sales with solar than with wind (at least in comparing alt energy industry opportunities).

 

Still, nice to hear things are rebounding. I see it in manufacturing for other industries as well. Hopefully that will continue through Q3 and Q4 after the summer doldrums end.

Agreed.  This really bugs me.  Why isn't our Mayor's economic development team inviting small (I mean really small) wind turbine manufacturers to Cleveland.  Give them free land and 0% construction loans.  Everything is here, the tool and die guys, airfoil/aerospace people, electric motors/generators, bearings, etc. 

 

Instead, we chase LED manufactures from China. 

 

Why is this so hard to figure out?

Agreed.  This really bugs me.  Why isn't our Mayor's economic development team inviting small (I mean really small) wind turbine manufacturers to Cleveland.  Give them free land and 0% construction loans.  Everything is here, the tool and die guys, airfoil/aerospace people, electric motors/generators, bearings, etc. 

 

Instead, we chase LED manufactures from China. 

 

Why is this so hard to figure out?

What is state of your primary residence?

Agreed. This really bugs me. Why isn't our Mayor's economic development team inviting small (I mean really small) wind turbine manufacturers to Cleveland. Give them free land and 0% construction loans. Everything is here, the tool and die guys, airfoil/aerospace people, electric motors/generators, bearings, etc.

 

Instead, we chase LED manufactures from China.

 

Why is this so hard to figure out?

 

Im sure they are....along with every other city in the country. It is hard when you have competition

Agreed. This really bugs me. Why isn't our Mayor's economic development team inviting small (I mean really small) wind turbine manufacturers to Cleveland. Give them free land and 0% construction loans. Everything is here, the tool and die guys, airfoil/aerospace people, electric motors/generators, bearings, etc.

 

Instead, we chase LED manufactures from China.

 

Why is this so hard to figure out?

 

In the Mayor's defense, this is a much more regionalized effort, with Team NEO running point on developing relationships. I think I saw an article in the Wind Development forum about how Team NEO just did the dog and pony taking some decision makers in the industry on a site selection tour.

 

I think the focus on large turbines is their ability to jump start the industry in the market.

There is no point in defending the mayor to tedolph. At this point, I've become convinced that when tedolph and Frank Jackson were kids, Frank stole tedolph's GI Joe with the Kung Fu grip and later used it as a marital aid.

Top Cities for New College Grads

 

Cleveland is 17th!

 

The ranking was based on the AfterCollege postings, city unemployment rates, and the average annual pay for all occupations as reported by the U.S. Labor Dept. Wages were adjusted for cost of living, using data from the Council for Community & Economic Research, in Arlington, Va. Salaries rose 2.5 percent, to an average of $44,525, for the 30 cities in the 2010 ranking.

 

 

http://www.businessweek.com/bschools/content/jul2010/bs20100714_914593.htm

Not sure if this means 5 people or 50...either way, looks like good news for Cleveland!

 

Simbionix Relocates its Courseware Business to its Corporate Headquarters in Cleveland, Ohio

 

CLEVELAND, Ohio, August 16, 2010 /PRNewswire/ -- Simbionix USA Corporation, the world's leading provider of medical education and simulation training products for medical professionals and the healthcare industry, will consolidate its eTrinsic custom courseware business currently located in Denver, Colorado and relocate those operations to its Corporate Headquarters in Cleveland, Ohio under its expanding Medical Education Division (MED).

 

The move will enable Simbionix to better focus on its strategic direction, enhance its mobile and web-based medical education products and services, and improve reaction to customer and market needs. "This is a very exciting time for Simbionix", stated Paul Jensen, the GM of the new and expanding Medical Education Division, "we are developing a number of innovative products. Having everyone in one location will facilitate collaboration across the team and improve our ability to rapidly deliver high-quality solutions."

 

The company recently announced the expansion of its Corporate Headquarters. The move will be completed by the end of September 2010.

 

http://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/simbionix-relocates-its-courseware-business-to-its-corporate-headquarters-in-cleveland-ohio-100756354.html

 

 

^that's cool. Is Simbionix a US or Israeli company? see link:

 

http://www.simbionix.com/Contact.html

Israel -- but their American headquarters is in Cleveland.  I'm pretty sure University Circle/Cleveland Clinic.

 

EDIT:

 

7100 Euclid Avenue, Suite 180

Cleveland, OH 44103

Top Cities for New College Grads

 

Cleveland is 17th!

 

The ranking was based on the AfterCollege postings, city unemployment rates, and the average annual pay for all occupations as reported by the U.S. Labor Dept. Wages were adjusted for cost of living, using data from the Council for Community & Economic Research, in Arlington, Va. Salaries rose 2.5 percent, to an average of $44,525, for the 30 cities in the 2010 ranking.

 

 

http://www.businessweek.com/bschools/content/jul2010/bs20100714_914593.htm

 

Sounds like the piece was an advertisement for aftercollege.com.

Top Cities for New College Grads

 

Cleveland is 17th!

 

The ranking was based on the AfterCollege postings, city unemployment rates, and the average annual pay for all occupations as reported by the U.S. Labor Dept. Wages were adjusted for cost of living, using data from the Council for Community & Economic Research, in Arlington, Va. Salaries rose 2.5 percent, to an average of $44,525, for the 30 cities in the 2010 ranking.

 

 

http://www.businessweek.com/bschools/content/jul2010/bs20100714_914593.htm

 

Sounds like the piece was an advertisement for aftercollege.com.

 

They are advertorials and really don't belong in this thread, correct? 

 

Shouldn't this be in the "another list" thread?

Should this be concerning for this type of investment? Is someone trying to cash in here on hard times? I don't know if this is a good thing or potential bad thing...especially when you read the comment by "RedBrickBarn" in comments...typical CDC ultimate pessimism.

 

 

Optima pays $46.5 million for Penton Media building in downtown Cleveland

 

Michelle Jarboe, The Plain Dealer

 

CLEVELAND, Ohio -- Optima Ventures LLC has continued it Cleveland buying spree, snapping up the Penton Media Building downtown for $46.5 million.

 

The investor, based in Miami, bought the office building in a deal that closed Monday, according to property records. The seller was K/B Fund IV Cleveland LLC, a real estate investment fund managed by KBS Realty Advisors....

Read The Rest At: http://www.cleveland.com/business/index.ssf/2010/08/optima_pays_465_million_for_pe.html

 

 

Already posted in http://www.urbanohio.com/forum2/index.php/topic,4266.720.html

Should this be concerning for this type of investment? Is someone trying to cash in here on hard times? I don't know if this is a good thing or potential bad thing...especially when you read the comment by "RedBrickBarn" in comments...typical CDC ultimate pessimism.

Redbrick has been hating on cleveland.bomb for several years.  He's from Pittsburgh and usually finds a way to insert how much better off Pittsburgh is than Cleveland in every post.  Of course, if things were so much better off in Pittsburgh, he would find a job there and move and stop posting on .bomb, but...

Should this be concerning for this type of investment? Is someone trying to cash in here on hard times? I don't know if this is a good thing or potential bad thing...especially when you read the comment by "RedBrickBarn" in comments...typical CDC ultimate pessimism.

Redbrick has been hating on cleveland.bomb for several years.  He's from Pittsburgh and usually finds a way to insert how much better off Pittsburgh is than Cleveland in every post.  Of course, if things were so much better off in Pittsburgh, he would find a job there and move and stop posting on .bomb, but...

 

We had a Redbrick here and I wonder if they are one in the same?

no they are not.  one is redbrick, one is redbrickbarn, and they are polar opposites.

TransDigm Group is sole Cleveland company in Fortune's fastest-growing list

Blog entry: August 19, 2010, 1:21 pm    |    Author: SCOTT SUTTELL

 

TransDigm Group Inc. is in some pretty nice company.

 

The Cleveland-based supplier of aircraft parts makes Fortune magazine's list of the world's 100 fastest-growing companies, landing at No. 85.

 

Increased defense spending has helped, but the company also has been an aggressive acquirer in recent years.

 

Only one other Ohio company made the list: First Financial Bancorp of Cincinnati, at No. 54.

 

http://www.crainscleveland.com/article/20100819/BLOGS03/100819822

Cleveland in the Wall Street Journal:

 

Cleveland Rocks? JumpStart Wants To Make It So

By Russell Garland

 

Nearly a decade ago, a group of community leaders decided to focus on Cleveland’s economic future instead of its past.

 

They wanted to make Northeast Ohio, once a center of industrial innovation, a good place to start companies again and were vexed by the fact that while Great Lakes pension funds, foundations and endowments were a major source of venture capital nationally, little of that money flowed back to the region.

 

Tapping state and private funds, the group set out to create an ecosystem to encourage innovation and entrepreneurship. JumpStart Inc. is a centerpiece of that effort. It’s a nonprofit business accelerator providing entrepreneurs with financing and advice as well as promoting economic development initiatives and running outreach programs to encourage entrepreneurship.

 

As a measure of JumpStart’s success, she said that her venture group has invested $16.5 million into almost 50 companies since its launch in 2004 and those companies so far have raised about $120 million in follow-on rounds.

 

http://blogs.wsj.com/venturecapital/2010/08/19/cleveland-rocks-jumpstart-wants-to-make-it-so/

 

 

I'm surprised someone else here hasn't been tracking this:

 

The Cleveland metro's job growth in 2010 is quite strong. Roughly 50,000 jobs have been added since the beginning of the year. In fact, June will be the first month of this year to see monthly year-over-year job growth for the metro, not seasonally adjusted. The unemployment rate is creeping up over 9% again but only because the metro's civilian labor force is growing at a good clip and it looks like people are finding work.

 

http://www.bls.gov/eag/eag.oh_cleveland_msa.htm

 

 

 

The Cleveland metro is having a decent rebound in its economy this summer.

 

June year-over-year job growth was revised upward from 0.4% to 0.6%.

July year-over-year job growth (preliminary) is at 0.9%.

 

Those figures stand out even more considering that 2/3 of US metros lost jobs on a year-over-year basis in June.

 

 

Sales tax receipts are also up by 2 % in Cuyahoga County (and 2.5% statewide.)

 

http://www.cleveland.com/datacentral/index.ssf/2010/08/sales_tax_collections_up_this.html

Squire, Sanders & Dempsey in merger talks with Hammonds LLP of the United Kingdom

 

By MICHELLE PARK

 

 

12:52 pm, August 25, 2010

 

Squire, Sanders & Dempsey LLP announced today that it is pursuing a merger with a company based in the United Kingdom to create a law firm with expanded global reach.

 

Squire Sanders is in talks with Hammonds LLP, a leading commercial law firm that has 10 offices in six countries and employs more than 1,000 people. Squire Sanders has 32 offices in 15 countries.

 

According to a Squire Sanders statement, if the companies merge, the combined firm would be among the top 50 global law firms by revenue with projected annual revenues of more than $625 million. The firm would have 37 offices in 17 countries and some 1,300 lawyers. In the Crain's Cleveland Business list of Northeast Ohio's largest law firms, published Aug. 2, Squire Sanders reported it has 145 attorneys in Cleveland and 799 worldwide.

 

http://www.crainscleveland.com/article/20100825/FREE/100829906

That doesn't sound good.

That doesn't sound good.

 

Law firms aren't like corporations. I doubt we would see much change in Cleveland.

I dunno.  The firm already went through three rounds of layoffs last year with a number of Cleveland attorneys and paralegals taking a hit - I can't imagine how that affected morale.  Someone always seems to lose during mergers.

KJP EDIT: Duplicate post. See WSJ article above "Cleveland Rocks."

http://www.urbanohio.com/forum2/index.php/topic,15104.msg507125.html#msg507125

Olympic Steel, Inc. Announces Acquisition of Facility in Mount Sterling, Kentucky

Thursday, August 26, 2010 8:50 AM

 

 

 

Aug. 26, 2010 (GlobeNewswire) --

CLEVELAND, Aug. 26, 2010 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Olympic Steel, Inc. (Nasdaq:ZEUS), a national metals service center, today announced that it has purchased a 100,000 square foot facility in Mount Sterling, Kentucky. The facility will perform plate burning, machining, forming, and shot blasting and is expected to be operational during the first quarter of 2011.

 

"We are pleased to announce the addition of a new facility in Mount Sterling, Kentucky," stated Michael D. Siegal, Chairman and Chief Executive Officer. "This additional facility will allow us to better serve the growing demand for our products and services from customers in the area and reinforces our strategy of being closer to where our customers assemble their products. We are extremely thankful to the Commonwealth of Kentucky for its efforts in supporting our investment and welcoming Olympic Steel to the state. We are also proud to bring manufacturing job growth into Kentucky," concluded Mr. Siegal.

 

Founded in 1954, Olympic Steel is a leading U.S. metals service center focused on the direct sale and distribution of large volumes of processed carbon, coated, aluminum and stainless flat-rolled sheet, coil and plate steel products. Headquartered in Cleveland, Ohio, the Company operates 16 facilities. For further information, visit the Company's web site at http://www.olysteel.com.

 

http://newsystocks.com/news/3662334

 

Putting Cleveland on Entrepreneurs' Map

 

Nearly a decade ago, a group of community leaders decided to focus on Cleveland's economic future instead of its past.

 

They wanted to make Northeast Ohio, once a center of industrial innovation, a good place to start companies again and were vexed by the fact that while Great Lakes pension funds, foundations and endowments were a major source of venture capital nationally, little of that money flowed back to the region.

 

Tapping state and private funds, the group set out to create an environment to encourage innovation and entrepreneurship. JumpStart Inc. is a centerpiece of that effort. It's a nonprofit business accelerator providing entrepreneurs with financing and advice as well as promoting economic development initiatives and running outreach programs to encourage entrepreneurship.

 

http://online.wsj.com/article/SB10001424052748703632304575451623269569674.html?mod=googlenews_wsj

 

Yeesh, the comments section wasn't so kind to the program...

Redbrick has been hating on cleveland.bomb for several years.  He's from Pittsburgh and usually finds a way to insert how much better off Pittsburgh is than Cleveland in every post.  Of course, if things were so much better off in Pittsburgh, he would find a job there and move and stop posting on .bomb, but...

 

Maybe someone should send him this (note that Pittsburgh is ranked 25th, just ahead of that manufacturing juggernaut called Miami):

 

Manufacturing Job Growth Leads Nation

Posted byChris Thompson - 08.03.2010

 

I cannot help but wonder when was the last time this happened: From February to June of this year, the Cleveland metro led the nation's 40 largest MSAs in manufacturing job growth. The Cleveland MSA added about 5,000 manufacturing jobs, according to the trusty analysis done by Harold D. Miller, who blogs at Pittsburgh Today.

 

The job growth numbers remain modest and don't begin to erase the painful losses suffered over the last few decades in the region. But they do hint at the potential of a new, more vibrant future for our region. And they do require us to begin to tell a different story about our region. At least when it comes to this recovery, we are not doing worse than other places. We are doing better. Spread that story for a bit and let me know how people respond.

 

For those of you with a strong schadenfreude streak, you will want to check out the chart on Miller's blog and see what city ranked last in overall job growth.

 

READ MORE AT:

http://www.theplus.us/en/Advance/2010/July/Manufacturing-Job-Growth-Leads-Nation.aspx

 

Redbrick has been hating on cleveland.bomb for several years.  He's from Pittsburgh and usually finds a way to insert how much better off Pittsburgh is than Cleveland in every post.  Of course, if things were so much better off in Pittsburgh, he would find a job there and move and stop posting on .bomb, but...

 

Maybe someone should send him this (note that Pittsburgh is ranked 25th, just ahead of that manufacturing juggernaut called Miami):

 

Manufacturing Job Growth Leads Nation

Posted byChris Thompson - 08.03.2010

 

I cannot help but wonder when was the last time this happened: From February to June of this year, the Cleveland metro led the nation's 40 largest MSAs in manufacturing job growth. The Cleveland MSA added about 5,000 manufacturing jobs, according to the trusty analysis done by Harold D. Miller, who blogs at Pittsburgh Today.

 

The job growth numbers remain modest and don't begin to erase the painful losses suffered over the last few decades in the region. But they do hint at the potential of a new, more vibrant future for our region. And they do require us to begin to tell a different story about our region. At least when it comes to this recovery, we are not doing worse than other places. We are doing better. Spread that story for a bit and let me know how people respond.

 

For those of you with a strong schadenfreude streak, you will want to check out the chart on Miller's blog and see what city ranked last in overall job growth.

 

READ MORE AT:

http://www.theplus.us/en/Advance/2010/July/Manufacturing-Job-Growth-Leads-Nation.aspx

 

 

:clap:

As for the earlier comments on the Squire Sanders merger, I don't think it's anything we should be concerned about--I would argue the opposite. It's really not well known, but downtown Cleveland is a pretty important center for legal and accounting services, including, interestingly enough, international tax. Although Jones Day and Ernst & Young have shipped their headquarters plaques to DC and NY, their de facto administrative centers remain here and show no signs of shrinking. It's simply cheaper to locate the nerve center here, and in these industries, one doesn't really have to worry about attracting top talent by leveraging a particular location.

^Jones Day didn't "ship its headquarters" anywhere; it's current managing partner works out of its DC office and it removed the "main office" or whatever label it add from the Cleveland office, that's about it, as far as I know.

 

But I agree egarding Squire Sanders- it probably won't mean anything for the attorneys, paralegals and assistants.  The only redundancy that will lead to job elimination/consolidation is in the back-office/administrative work, like billing and IT and maybe some top HR and recruiting positions.  If anything, it may mean a few new jobs in the Cleveland office, given Squires' larger size and the likelihood of their having better technology already in place.