Most Ohio metros near bottom of ‘Best Performing Cities’

Business Courier of Cincinnati

Friday, September 12, 2008

 

Cincinnati and other Midwestern cities didn’t fare too well in the Milken Institute’s “2008 Best Performing Cities” ranking, which was dominated by metro areas in the southern and western U.S.

 

Columbus was the highest-placing Ohio city, at 135 out of 200 major metropolitan areas. The Cincinnati-Middletown metro area was listed at 173, behind Akron, at 172, and the Huntington, W. Va.-Ashland, Ohio metro area, at 153

 

Other Ohio cities ranked lower: Youngstown-Warren-Boardman at 188, Dayton at 189, Cleveland-Elyria-Mentor at 193, Toledo at 194 and Canton-Massillon at 197....

 

more at:

http://cincinnati.bizjournals.com/cincinnati/stories/2008/09/08/daily45.html

 

To view the complete list, click here.

 

 

I know that many of these lists/rankings are BS, but still.  Ohio and its major cities are consistently ranked as being among the worst for crime, population growth, job growth, poverty, etc.  We can't seem to embrace rail that would seem to be a no-brainer for a state as densely populated as our own...and we're settling for crappy suburban development that is eating away at some of the most fertile farmland in the nation.

 

What gives?  What can be done?  The reason I pose this question is that we all seem to discredit and ignore the negative press that comes our way.  It is said that the first step to solving a problem is admitting that you have one...and Ohio has some serious problems.  It's time to fix them.

I totally agree.

 

I think that, for quite some time now, Ohio has lived with this back-footed mentality. It's not a very progressive state. I think this needs to change. I think that ideas need to be thrown out there that are much more out-of-the-box and progressive to get itself out of the problems it's in now. I don't know what those out-of-the box things are necessarily, but it's obvious this whole band-aid mentality isn't working. It hasn't been working for years now, if not decades.

 

For some reason, Ohio is just much too conservative, in my opinion. People need to be willing to take risks .. to be willing to think FORWARD. I think this is a big key to Ohio's future well-being.

well that... and quite frankly, in the cases of cinicinnati and cleveland anyway... we will always fare poorly in these lists because of our geographic set up.  There is no way around it.  That's why Columbus is "highest" in this list.  It's awful tough to compare a city like Cleveland which borders in some areas are as close as 4.5 miles from the center of downtown to a city like charlotte that has about a 30 mile radius. any wealth and jobs in our suburbs (same for cinci) simply aren't counted... unfortunately most people simply don't understand that.  We'll always fail on a list like this. Always.

 

But of course that doesn't mean that things couldn't be done to make it a lot better in Ohio cities.

well that... and quite frankly, in the cases of cinicinnati and cleveland anyway... we will always fare poorly in these lists because of our geographic set up. There is no way around it. That's why Columbus is "highest" in this list. It's awful tough to compare a city like Cleveland which borders in some areas are as close as 4.5 miles from the center of downtown to a city like charlotte that has about a 30 mile radius. any wealth and jobs in our suburbs (same for cinci) simply aren't counted... unfortunately most people simply don't understand that. We'll always fail on a list like this. Always.

 

But of course that doesn't mean that things couldn't be done to make it a lot better in Ohio cities.

 

Weren't they studying our metro's, and not just the city of Cincy and Cleveland. 

If you want my honest opinion, we need to let go of manufacturing and invest seriously in a new economy focused on healthcare, energy, and any new forms of technology. I mean invest an amount of money that the public would never go for because their friends and family would lose their current jobs. Its hard for people to let go of the industry they built their lives and families on. I'm refering to Ohio, not any city specifically.

hmmm... well the title says metros, but the article referenced cities... then metros.  If it is Metro's than this list is even more worthless than I thought it was before.  I mean Charleston is ranked 10th... I love Charleston and all, awesome place to spend some time, but it's a complete tourist economy.  Filled in with business that support the tourist economy.

Yes - the study was of the metro area - even old West Chester couldn't give Cincy a boost. :-D

I grew up in Wilmington NC and it ranked 6 on the list in 2008 and 2nd in 2007 - the area has seen a lot of growth but I wouldn't say it has been quality (smart urban growth) - it's just traffic gridlock, suburban sprawl, and big box retail - and it was podunk prior to I40 which was just completed in the past 15 years or so.  The one standout is the downtown area - it has been revitalized but it all pales in comparison to all the suburban sprawl.  I'll take it for what it is - just another list.

yeah, this thing is about as important as a piece of toilet paper.  Chicago is ranked 160, Boston 118... But Ocala, a retirement community in Florida is ranked 30.  Crinkle it up, throw it in the trash can.

In my opinion, the local government officials operate from a "fear" base.  They are afraid the established employers will decrease workers.  The government spends a great deal of time and attention on the established companies, catering to their needs.  There just doesn't seem to be a lot of support for new start-ups.

 

Of course, it could be that the definition of 'employement' in this part of the country is to work for a big company.  Maybe the creative, entrepenurial class just doesn't live in the MW.  Maybe it's all that German heritage that the people have.

 

Maybe the MW is destined to be the back office for East/West coast companies, and nothing more?

 

 

 

note it measured job growth, but doesn't say what jobs. could be hi tech could be service. big difference in pay there.

 

salary growth? or hi tech growth? what's that mean exactly? for one thing i'd bet metro baseline widely varies.

 

i guess i'll have to look at the full pdf report.

 

 

 

We can't seem to embrace rail that would seem to be a no-brainer for a state as densely populated as our own...and we're settling for crappy suburban development

 

Been to Provo-Orem lately?

If you want my honest opinion, we need to let go of manufacturing and invest seriously in a new economy focused on healthcare, energy, and any new forms of technology.

 

I believe we still have to make stuff, and I don't mean tacos or pizza. I'm not comfortable with us exporting our heavy manufacturing, be it for ensuring national security or simply for being self-sufficient. If we export all our industry, then we export our wealth. Look at our horrific trade imbalance/balance of payments even when oil isn't counted. I think these issues are so important that we ought to impose trade restrictions. Check out what nations like Germany and Japan do to limit imports, keep their wealth and protect their manufacturers so they can depend on themselves in peace, in war or in crisis. Health care, energy and tech jobs are great, but not everyone is going to go to college to get those jobs. You still need good-paying unskilled jobs for those who are better at using their braun than brains. Delivering pizzas to each other is Third World economic development. And even those who might excel at engineering and science, where's the demand for that in an economy that has forsaken industry? I believe America's poor performance globally in science and engineering is a direct offshoot of our loss of industry which has demanded those skills in the past.

 

We need to do everything possible to restore our industrial might, regardless of where in the U.S. it is located. But I'd prefer it be in/near cities so the the largest labor pools which need the jobs most can access them by all forms of transportation.

I know that many of these lists/rankings are BS, but still. Ohio and its major cities are consistently ranked as being among the worst for crime, population growth, job growth, poverty, etc.

 

Just wanted to note that Columbus doesn't generally rank being the worst in any of those categories.

 

The obvious solution to the problem is for the other cities to just "be more like Columbus". ;)

I know that many of these lists/rankings are BS, but still.  Ohio and its major cities are consistently ranked as being among the worst for crime, population growth, job growth, poverty, etc.

 

Just wanted to note that Columbus doesn't generally rank being the worst in any of those categories.

 

The obvious solution to the problem is for the other cities to just "be more like Columbus". ;)

 

....and so it begins :roll:

yeah, this thing is about as important as a piece of toilet paper.  Chicago is ranked 160, Boston 118... But Ocala, a retirement community in Florida is ranked 30.  Crinkle it up, throw it in the trash can.

 

Don't focus on this one article alone.  My point is that EVERY single article and ranking that comes out always seems to be bad news for Ohio and its cities.  Some of them aren't worth crap, others though are.  We probably aren't as bad as everyone makes us out to be, but we probably aren't as good as we make ourselves out to be.

rail

I know that many of these lists/rankings are BS, but still. Ohio and its major cities are consistently ranked as being among the worst for crime, population growth, job growth, poverty, etc.

 

Just wanted to note that Columbus doesn't generally rank being the worst in any of those categories.

 

The obvious solution to the problem is for the other cities to just "be more like Columbus". ;)

 

....and so it begins :roll:

 

It was light-hearted.  You know, like Shaker Heights being your residence ;).

I know that many of these lists/rankings are BS, but still. Ohio and its major cities are consistently ranked as being among the worst for crime, population growth, job growth, poverty, etc.

 

Just wanted to note that Columbus doesn't generally rank being the worst in any of those categories.

 

The obvious solution to the problem is for the other cities to just "be more like Columbus". ;)

 

....and so it begins :roll:

 

It was light-hearted. You know, like Shaker Heights being your residence ;).

 

So was my response.  I hope WE knows I was being a smarty pants! 

That was for him, Morecrap Courts.

That was for him, Morecrap Courts.

HUSH!  HATA!

If you want my honest opinion, we need to let go of manufacturing and invest seriously in a new economy focused on healthcare, energy, and any new forms of technology.

 

I believe we still have to make stuff, and I don't mean tacos or pizza. I'm not comfortable with us exporting our heavy manufacturing, be it for ensuring national security or simply for being self-sufficient. If we export all our industry, then we export our wealth. Look at our horrific trade imbalance/balance of payments even when oil isn't counted. I think these issues are so important that we ought to impose trade restrictions. Check out what nations like Germany and Japan do to limit imports, keep their wealth and protect their manufacturers so they can depend on themselves in peace, in war or in crisis. Health care, energy and tech jobs are great, but not everyone is going to go to college to get those jobs. You still need good-paying unskilled jobs for those who are better at using their braun than brains. Delivering pizzas to each other is Third World economic development. And even those who might excel at engineering and science, where's the demand for that in an economy that has forsaken industry? I believe America's poor performance globally in science and engineering is a direct offshoot of our loss of industry which has demanded those skills in the past.

 

We need to do everything possible to restore our industrial might, regardless of where in the U.S. it is located. But I'd prefer it be in/near cities so the the largest labor pools which need the jobs most can access them by all forms of transportation.

 

except trade restrictions are most certainly not the answer. neither is simply not counting school-age students who do not do well in math, science, etc. -- that's cheating & misleading. while i agree with you that the usa needs to maintain more of a mixed economy, there has to be a better and more fair way to do it than the examples set by those other countries.

 

for one thing, nafta, the policy that has really put the knife in the corpse of usa heavy industry, could be rexamined, but politically that is a taboo subject.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Based on an NPR story yesterday the state unemployment rate is increasing. 

 

This wasn't on a list, but some of the info at that Restoring Prosperity site says Ohio is underperforming other Midwest states, & that our citys are in worse shape.  There seems to be something awry here that goes beyond manufacturing. 

I just honestly think that so much of it (not all, of course) is rooted in the state's leadership. We don't have leaders who are visionary enough, who are willing to think outside of the box on so many of these issues. To paraphrase one of Frank Jackson's speeches, the status quo is no longer enough. I would go so far as to say that the status quo should NEVER be enough. In order for Ohio to become competitive, we need progressive, aggressive leadership.

 

I agree with KJP's comments regarding manufacturing: manufacturing should not disappear from Ohio's economy, but I think depending too much on one sector, ANY sector, is highly dangerous. Ohio needs to invest in a broader spectrum for the future, while strengthening our current assets, to move forward, I think.

 

I've been highly frustrated with the state and local government until now. I'm hoping that they have finally realized that things need to REALLY change in order to get out of the hole we're in.

I totally agree.

 

I think that, for quite some time now, Ohio has lived with this back-footed mentality. It's not a very progressive state. I think this needs to change. I think that ideas need to be thrown out there that are much more out-of-the-box and progressive to get itself out of the problems it's in now. I don't know what those out-of-the box things are necessarily, but it's obvious this whole band-aid mentality isn't working. It hasn't been working for years now, if not decades.

 

For some reason, Ohio is just much too conservative, in my opinion. People need to be willing to take risks .. to be willing to think FORWARD. I think this is a big key to Ohio's future well-being.

 

Are we talking conservative politics or just conservative when it comes to growth and new ideas?

 

I think both, personally.

yeah, this thing is about as important as a piece of toilet paper.  Chicago is ranked 160, Boston 118... But Ocala, a retirement community in Florida is ranked 30.  Crinkle it up, throw it in the trash can.

 

Don't focus on this one article alone.  My point is that EVERY single article and ranking that comes out always seems to be bad news for Ohio and its cities.  Some of them aren't worth crap, others though are.  We probably aren't as bad as everyone makes us out to be, but we probably aren't as good as we make ourselves out to be.

 

I think the Brooking Institute Report gives a great list of actions that need to be done. I also believe efforts like Agenda 360 in Cincy are steps in the right direction. After attending the state conference on the Brooking Report and listing to leaders throughout the state, I think its more about the lack of understanding and education on such things as smart growth, smart growth codes and comprehensive planning, etc. There is a reason why many of the communities on the list are doing well (and its just not sprawl) its because they have dealt with many of the basic planning issues that must be addressed to create the environments that attract certain types of people and companies in large quanities. I am not saying this will solve all the issues, but these items are clearly part of the bases needed to have more success. Europe does it, Portland does it, Vancouver does it, and they have leaders that truly understand it. One of the presenters at the Brooking Report Conference actually talked about how this is not a manufacturing issue alone, because Ohio started to under perform most of the surrounding midwest states back in the 70s before the manufacturing bust and has continue to under perform most of its midwest counterparts since then. Yet many of the other states have had to deal with the same type of manufacturing lose as Ohio has. I can also say that most of the state leaders that were at the conference didn't seem to get the Comprehensive Planning and Smart Growth idea (they think they understand it until they are asked to explain it). One of the main leaders in the state was still talking about taxes as the issue. If this was the real issue then places like Seattle, Portland and Boston who have the worst economies in the world. Ohio can do this, but its going to take real education, understanding of these principles and a willingness to act upon them.

If you want my honest opinion, we need to let go of manufacturing and invest seriously in a new economy focused on healthcare, energy, and any new forms of technology. I mean invest an amount of money that the public would never go for because their friends and family would lose their current jobs. Its hard for people to let go of the industry they built their lives and families on. I'm refering to Ohio, not any city specifically.

 

Ohio is still a major and important manufacturing state, despite the obvious loss of so many thousands of jobs and dozens of plants. What remains is often a different sort of manufacturing that requires fewer people. Still, the future is bright for Ohio manufacturing -- and industrial and engineering jobs. Ohio is one of the two leading states in potential employment from renewable energy, particularly manufacture of components for wind and solar energy. Solar in Toledo. Wind-turbine components in Cleveland. Bio-polymers in Akron. Of course, we need federal help. And the Obama campaign can make major hay in Ohio. Thomas Friedman of the NYTimes was on NPR last week pointing out that First Solar opened a new facility in Frankfort instead of expanding its Toledo plant in part because the United States leaves alternative energy with an uncertain future by failing to renew alternative-energy tax credits -- something that George Voinovich voted against and John McCain failed seven times to even show up to vote on (including once when he was in Washington, and the measure lost by a single vote). So Voinovich and McCain are responsible to sending Ohio manufacturing jobs to Germany.

It was light-hearted.

 

Yes, I was just teasing. We're all in this situation together as Ohioans, no matter what city you live in. Our state needs to make some major improvements... <s>BRAWNDO</s> PRONTO.

As far as Cleveland goes, one thing I think needs to be done besides targeting crime, is to make the eastside more commercialized. It is very underdeveloped especially compared to the westside. There are some commercial districts but there are many more areas of nothingness. Examples: Quincy(55th-105th), Cedar (30th-79th), Woodland (79th-woodhill), Wade Park (79th-105th), Euclid (55th-79th), any part of Woodhill. Adding more commercial districts and maybe some entertainment areas besides downtown would give the city more of a big city feeling/atmosphere and make Cleveland look more like the major city it is, and attract suburban people back to the city, as well as people from other regions.

As far as Cleveland goes, one thing I think needs to be done besides targeting crime, is to make the eastside more commercialized. It is very underdeveloped especially compared to the westside. There are some commercial districts but there are many more areas of nothingness. Examples: Quincy(55th-105th), Cedar (30th-79th), Woodland (79th-woodhill), Wade Park (79th-105th), Euclid (55th-79th), any part of Woodhill. Adding more commercial districts and maybe some entertainment areas besides downtown would give the city more of a big city feeling/atmosphere and make Cleveland look more like the major city it is, and attract suburban people back to the city, as well as people from other regions.

 

Hi free07, and welcome to the forum!  Have you seen the City's development strategy?  It's a large pdf file (120 or so pages,) but at the end, they talk about tailoring development efforts to specific neighborhoods.  I don't remember any details, since I read it so long ago, but I remember that there are definitely places in the report where the authors mention redeveloping retail corridors, streetscaping, etc.  It's an interesting read, so if you're interested check out the link (but I repeat, it's a large pdf.)

 

http://city.cleveland.oh.us/pdf/Development%20Strategy%20Full%20Document.pdf

Has anybody actually looked at that "Best Performing Cities" ranking?  All the cool cities are in the bottom half... look at the horrible horrible non-cities that occupy the Top 25 (besides Seattle)... ughhhh... I'd take it as a compliment to perform poorly in this ranking. 

Doesn't really matter the simple truth is that the reason why Ohio is the way it is is (I am in love with the "is" tonight) because you are concentrating thought patters about what a city should be as people who offer differing viewpoints move.  I, like many of you have travelled to many different countries and overwhelmingly the feeling that I have is that for the majority of talented people that I know Ohio would be an incredibly tough sale.  The collection of assets it has are okay but more than most are hallmarks of the past.  Ohio is a perfect example of promise that hasn't lived up to expectations.  Nice but definitely missing in the world class dept.

^

"hallmarks of the past" is why urban Ohio has so much character.

^I agree somewhat.  There are some very nice monuments and museums that showcase the strength of the state from the 19th to the mid 20th century.  There are also pockets that showcase some nice things that cities within the state have done more recently like Hadid and the Vontz in Cincinnati.  However, I've seen alot of really interesting cities and while the past is great it has to be balanced with a strong sense of future potential.  Character evolves, no?  You throw in the past, add the present, and then forecast for the future and that my friend helps define the character of a place.

 

Overall, I like my hometown Cincinnati and in particular my own neighborhood Avondale with its f'd up parts and all but...

the pace of change in places like Cincinnati is just a little too slow for me right now.  I want a little more then the place is giving me (I want the draws but she's only giving me the skirt).  So therapeutically I'm doing just that.

Brain drain and marketing are the two key factors in all of this.  Ohio has horrendous marketing (Christ, the Erie Islands commercial belongs in Mississippi) and turns its back on the urban sections of the state (hell, the natural sections too).  To make Ohio "cool" again (focusing on youthful essentials) isn't hard, really.  You have many cities, Appalachian wilderness that can be tapped into a Bedford Springs or northern Michigan, a coastline, and a fantastic location. 

 

Make Ohio appealing through marketing and 'clean up,' the youth will have a reason to stay. 

The youth having a reason to stay, brain drain dies.

Brain drain dies, a new evolving culture in the state emerges and income goes up

Evolving culture emerges and income goes up, attractiveness to immigrants occurs.

Attracting immigrants + young eager Ohioans = Yay, we're back b!tches.

 

I've traveled many places and looking at the treasures this state has, it can easily hang with the "big dogs."  We just choose not to which is a shame.

I'm just biased towards larger cities like New York City and Chicago. I think a lot of young people who enjoy cities are the same way, or it's the typical "I wanna move to the East Coast", "I want to move to California". TV shows and movies make those places seem like it's the place to be, then it gets sustained based on that. Seattle thrives on technology, Atlanta on affordability ratios, Southwest on illegal immigration among other things. Other than that, it's Chicago which is the midwest's closest thing to NYC or you're headed to east or west coast.

That used to be true, but now many young people are attracted to, say, Charlotte and Austin these days (comfortable, youthful cities with growing economies and 'warm weather').

I'm just biased towards larger cities like New York City and Chicago. I think a lot of young people who enjoy cities are the same way, or it's the typical "I wanna move to the East Coast", "I want to move to California". TV shows and movies make those places seem like it's the place to be, then it gets sustained based on that. Seattle thrives on technology, Atlanta on affordability ratios, Southwest on illegal immigration among other things. Other than that, it's Chicago which is the midwest's closest thing to NYC or you're headed to east or west coast.

 

I had that same mindset, I was determined to move to NYC or any city on the east coast after I graduated from college. Then in 2007 I found this site and read a lot of things about Cleveland. All the the things I read inspired my trip up to Cleveland in November of that year. After that trip, I fell in love with Cleveland and hope that I will eventually live there.

 

I think if more people saw what Cleveland, and Ohio's other amazing cities, had to offer; they would also fall in love with this state.

Ohio has real problems, not just marketing problems.  Marketing is all well and good, but you have to start with a realistic appraisal of where you are.

 

It is true that Ohio does not have anyplace like Chicago or New York or the other top 5-6 cities in the country.  However, as noted, places like Austin and Charlotte are doing alright.  What is different about those places?  It can't be just "climate".  Minneapolis has a terrible climate, but it seems to be hanging in there.

 

I think the number one thing Ohio needs to undertake is a realistic assessment of what it is and what it needs to do to succeed.  As I've said many times before, in an era that rewards cities, Ohio is fortunate to have balanced geography, with three cities of over one million MSA population.  No other Midwest state can put up that result.  Michigan, Ohio, Minnesota, Indiana, and Iowa all have one dominant city.  Wisconsin has two cities of sorts, but Madison is far less than a million population.

 

How can Ohio carve out a niche that exploits this geography?  How can it tackle the unique challenges that come from it (such as three medical school/health care clusters crying out for state investment instead of just one)?  For sectors like advanced manufacturing, distribution, and life sciences, where every other Midwestern state is likewise similarly situated and likewise eager to stake its future, what differentiates Ohio?  Why will it be one of the success stories apart from "a rising tide lifts all boats"?  What is the unique role it can play in the Midwest economic ecology?

 

I think it has and for the majority of the population that lives there there number 1 priority probably isn't excitement.  To be fair that wouldn't rank in the top 5 for most people.  My priorities for a city in the US would go something like diversity, economic opportunities, infrastructure development, solid and diverse schools etc. I wonder how many people in Ohio would say anything similar aside from economic opportunities.

Marketing isn't just "excitement" or a new nightclub opening in Hyde Park.  It's marketing FOR diversity to BRING diversity into the state.  You have you sell yourself in order to compete (much like a resume going to your dream job).  We all can sit here and say "Ohio needs a better economy, more jobs, diversity, blah blah blah" but how do you GET it?  Self-creation of jobs helps but there are many people nationwide who don't know jack about the state of Ohio except when negativity is thrown at it and "would never live there."  Sell yourself a little, a lot happens.  New, diverse people.  New jobs created.  More money in the pocket for infrastructure development and more diverse schools.

And to look at a brilliant marketing scheme and the success of a city, look at Atlanta (particularly at African-Americans and "the A").

^For all the hype that Atlanta gets...it has some REAL problems.  Problems bigger and potentially more serious than those in Ohio.  For example...Clayton County (neighboring county to Fulton - Atlanta's county) just recently saw their public school system lose their state accreditation.  Their is MAJOR resentment (from whites towards blacks) all throughout the region and negative sentiment towards the City of Atlanta and Fulton County is worse than I've seen anywhere else in the nation.

 

Never said Atlanta didn't have problems (we all know it does).  The difference is that they have money ;).

^Yes...LOTS of money.  One of the first things that I noticed as being different is the number of luxury cars out on the road in Atlanta vs. Cincinnati...and the number of dumpy/run-down cars in Cincinnati vs. Atlanta.  There is an inordinate amount of money in Atlanta.  It's a good problem to have, that's for sure.

^ Does Georgia inspect automobiles on a regular basis? Ohio and Kentucky are full of cars held together with baling wire and a dream because there are few consequences for driving an unroadworthy vehicle. West Virginia inspects cars every three years and each time they are sold. No bald tires, cracked windshields, broken taillights or jagged fenders are allowed there. In fact, I'm pretty sure you can't even have a wrong-colored fender on a car. Law enforcement will definitely bust you for violations while out driving around. If you see a beat-up car in WV, it's probably from Ohio.

I think it has and for the majority of the population that lives there there number 1 priority probably isn't excitement.  To be fair that wouldn't rank in the top 5 for most people.  My priorities for a city in the US would go something like diversity, economic opportunities, infrastructure development, solid and diverse schools etc. I wonder how many people in Ohio would say anything similar aside from economic opportunities.

 

I agree overall that the perception that Ohio has nothing to offer is dragging it down perhaps more than anything. I am amazed at how much negativity infects this state, and conversely, what a wonderful, prosperous place it is. I scooted to Cleveland this weekend, and fell in love. I think I drove up and down the gritty Cuyahoga valley three or four times, amazed and the views of the city, and the quiet.

 

I have to say that Ohio has great, solid, diverse schools. Its universities are top-notch, public and private. Outside of the flatness of NW Ohio (where I reside) i have no complaints about the Ohio - I'm glad to live here.

I think it has and for the majority of the population that lives there there number 1 priority probably isn't excitement.  To be fair that wouldn't rank in the top 5 for most people.  My priorities for a city in the US would go something like diversity, economic opportunities, infrastructure development, solid and diverse schools etc. I wonder how many people in Ohio would say anything similar aside from economic opportunities.

 

I agree overall that the perception that Ohio has nothing to offer is dragging it down perhaps more than anything. I am amazed at how much negativity infects this state, and conversely, what a wonderful, prosperous place it is. I scooted to Cleveland this weekend, and fell in love. I think I drove up and down the gritty Cuyahoga valley three or four times, amazed and the views of the city, and the quiet.

 

I have to say that Ohio has great, solid, diverse schools. Its universities are top-notch, public and private. Outside of the flatness of NW Ohio (where I reside) i have no complaints about the Ohio - I'm glad to live here.

 

I disagree.

 

The quality of schools are usually a reflection of the socio-economic status in any given school district. There are plenty of bad public schools in Columbus and Cincinnati that I can vouch for personally. I'm sure it's the same for many other cities in Ohio. Even in affluent neighborhoods, you have terrible schools because the people who can afford private schools, send their kids there, making the closest public school far worse than it would be otherwise. In the city you have schools that draw from multiple neighborhoods that are all very different economically. Urban parents are often much worse than suburban parents in terms of being obsessed with prividing the absolute best education and looking like the best parents and quite frankly, a lot of charter/magnet schools aren't worth a damn.

 

Also, though I agree there are some great universities in Ohio, tuition prices are much too high. They should be subsidized more by the state. That's one of the most effective ways in which Ohio could expand its economy and sustain younger people.

People love their cars in the South.  That probably has something to do with it.

 

Atlanta has also had a very entrepreneurial culture.  They aren't living purely off the legacy of companies like Coke and UPS founded long ago.  They actually have newer companies too.  Home Depot was founded in the 1970's.  The upstart ICE commodities exchange is based there.

 

I do think that the focus on its black community was a strategic masterstroke, and I've long advocated that there is a huge opportunity in the Midwest for a city to differentiate itself by really turning its black community into one of the pillars of growth for that town.