Community Reinvestment
December 8, 2004 @ 6:33 am and 8:20 am on 90.3

Ask most people and they’ll tell you there are two big issues the city of Cleveland is facing: poverty and a shrinking population. But when it comes to the number of people living in the city, there is change afoot and Cleveland may not be shrinking at the flood-like rates it used to. As part of Making Change: Reinventing our Economy, ideastream’s Shula Neuman reports on the role of the city’s bankers in slowing the flow of people to the suburbs.

Creative Industries Often Overlooked
November 24, 2004 @ 6:33 am and 8:20 am on 90.3

Northeast Ohio’s public and private officials often discuss the importance of fostering “clusters” of industries - with the idea that a large group of biotech companies, for example, will feed off of each other, drawing more companies and talented people to the region. But at a recent meeting sponsored by the Case Weatherhead’s Center for Regional Economic Issues, more than 100 people discussed the role of one cluster that is often overlooked. As part of Making Change: Reinventing our Economy, ideastream’s Shula Neuman reports on the creative industries’ impact on the region’s growth.

A Cloudy Business Climate
November 11, 2004 @ 6:33 am and 8:20 am on 90.3

The rankings are out and, once again, Northeast Ohio doesn’t stack up very well when it comes to being a friendly place to do business. Many feel that without policy reform, Northeast Ohio will continue to lose its ability to compete. As part of Making Change: Reinventing our Economy, ideastream’s Shula Neuman reports on what’s holding the region back and what might be done about it.

Small Technology with a Big Impact
October 27, 2004 @ 6:33 am and 8:20 am on 90.3

Hundreds of scientists, engineers and medical professionals are in Cleveland this week, participating in a series of conferences on Nanotechnology and how this new technology can be applied to medicine, materials and manufacturing. If you've never heard of nano-tech, don't be surprised. It involves the smallest particles you could imagine, but it's a technological innovation that could have a big impact on Northeast Ohio's economy. As part of Making Change: Reinventing our Economy, ideastream's Shula Neuman reports on what role Northeast Ohio is taking on in the development of nanotechnology.

See Also: Nano-Tech in Northeast Ohio [Web Exclusive]

Community Reinvestment
October 13, 2004 @ 6:33 am and 8:20 am on 90.3

Ask most people and they’ll tell you there are two big issues the city of Cleveland is facing: poverty and a shrinking population. But when it comes to the number of people living in the city, there is change afoot and Cleveland may not be shrinking at the flood-like rates it used to. As part of Making Change: Reinventing our Economy, ideastream’s Shula Neuman reports on the role of the city’s bankers in slowing the flow of people to the suburbs.

Emerging Real Estate Markets
September 29, 2004 @ 6:33 am and 8:20 am on 90.3

When neighborhoods gentrify, there’s frequently a fear that existing residents and businesses will be lost, priced out by rising real estate values. If you buy into conventional wisdom, the city can’t afford to ignore its real estate potential: between its recent placement in the number one spot as the nation’s most impoverished city to the loss of population over the past decade, neighborhood revitalization is the key to creating a stronger city and a stronger region. One neighborhood’s strategy for redeveloping without losing its character is to capitalize on what makes the neighborhood unique - but as ideastream’s Shula Neuman reports, that technique has its own challenges.

Responding to the Challenge of Globalization
September 15, 2004 @ 6:33 am and 8:20 am on 90.3

There’s no arguing that the economy is hitting manufacturing especially hard. According the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, the U.S. has lost 16% of its manufacturing jobs over the past two-and-a-half years. Greater Cleveland is no exception; nearly 39,000 manufacturing jobs have left the region since August 2000. Many blame international competition and free trade agreements for this sector’s demise. As part of Making Change; Reinventing our Economy, ideastream’s Shula Neuman reports on the expanding impact of globalization and how Northeast Ohio industries are responding to the challenge:

Aging Infrastructure Brings Economic Ramifications
September 1, 2004 @ 6:33 am and 8:20 am on 90.3

Compared with the past two decades, 2003 was a boom year for infrastructure investment in Greater Cleveland. Yet, despite this relative splurge, large portions of the region’s infrastructure are aging and need attention. Evidence is all around, some say: from last summer’s blackout to widespread flooding this year. And, they say, aging infrastructure has other, less visible ramifications for our economy as well. In our on-going series Making Change: Reinventing our Economy, ideastream’s Shula Neuman has the report.

The Cuyahoga Valley Initiative, Part 3: Veggies in the Valley
August 18, 2004 @ 6:33 am and 8:20 am on 90.3

Chances are, you know of at least one farmer’s market within twenty minutes of your house. Maybe you’ve noticed that your local grocery store sometimes sells Ohio-grown produce. It’s not your imagination: demand for locally grown produce is on the rise, and the county planning commission is working to fill that demand as part of the Cuyahoga Valley Initiative. It’s not certain that revitalizing the farms and greenhouses in the valley will work, but ideastream’s Shula Neuman reports that the effort is an example of how people are Making Change: Reinventing our Economy.

See also: Cuyahoga Valley Initiative, Part 1 [July 21, 2004] & Part 2 [August 4, 2004]

The Cuyahoga Valley Initiative, Part 2: Regenerative Zone
August 4, 2004 @ 6:33 am and 8:20 am on 90.3

The Cuyahoga River Valley may not hold the glory and force it once wielded in the early 20th century. But a movement is afoot to repair the valley; making it a place where industry, recreation, housing and the environment can exist to benefit the entire region. The movement is called the Cuyahoga Valley Initiative. It’s spearheaded by the Cuyahoga County Planning Commission but involves an array of business, environmental and development groups as well. In this second report in her series on the Cuyahoga Valley Initiative, ideastream’s Shula Neuman focuses on a specific site on the river where a flurry of activity between businesses and between neighborhoods is Making Change: Reinventing our Economy.

See also: Cuyahoga Valley Initiative, Part 1 [July 21, 2004] & Part 3 [August 18, 2004]

The Cuyahoga Valley Initiative, Part 1
July 21, 2004 @ 6:33 am and 8:20 am on 90.3

On any given day as you commute north toward downtown Cleveland or travel south to the airport or Akron, it’s easy to miss the essence of the Cuyahoga River Valley beneath the bustling highways. But a group of businesspeople and government officials haven’t missed it; they see the valley as a rich resource and potential wellspring for change. The Cuyahoga Valley Initiative, spearheaded by the Cuyahoga County Planning Commission, is a kind of roadmap for creating a place that defines our economy, our recreation, our residences and even our food. ideastream’s Shula Neuman has been exploring the valley for our series Making Change: Reinventing our Economy, and has the first of a three-part story.

See also: Cuyahoga Valley Photo Gallery [Web Exclusive Photo Gallery]
See also: Cuyahoga Valley Initiative, Part 2 [August 4, 2004] & Part 3 [August 18, 2004]

The Underground Tech Scene
July 7, 2004 @ 6:33 am and 8:20 am on 90.3

Let’s review some economic development basics: the more entrepreneurs an area has, the better its economy does. Northeast Ohio has several initiatives underway to support entrepreneurs and encourage more to start businesses. But all of these organized efforts might not compare with the power of untamed technology. As part of Making Change: Reinventing our Economy, ideastream’s Shula Neuman reports on how the unseen world of high-tech connectivity is impacting Northeast Ohio’s Economy.

The Bright Bulb of Innovation in Northeast Ohio
June 23, 2004 @ 6:33 am and 8:20 am on 90.3

It’s generally accepted that a nurturing community for entrepreneurs results in successful economic development. Northeast Ohio, however, is not one of those regions known for its plethora of start-ups: in its rankings of “Best Cities for Entrepreneurs,” Entrepreneur Magazine ranks the Cleveland area 57th out of 61 cities. But the winners of this year’s NorTech Innovation Awards reveal a different trend - one that emphasizes the abundance of innovative ideas and products within existing Northeast Ohio companies. As part of Making Change: Reinventing our Economy, ideastream’s Shula Neuman reports that encouraging that kind of innovation could be just as valuable to the economy as a brand-new start up.

Front Door Open for Arbor Park
June 9, 2004 @ 6:33 am and 8:20 am on 90.3

A high point has been reached for a unique Cleveland housing project. The Arbor Park development is two-thirds complete and there are more applicants than units available in the low-income development. For this east-side complex, more than just the bottom line is at stake. As part of Making Change: Reinventing our Economy, ideastream’s Shula Neuman reports.

Leadership New Style
May 12, 2004 @ 6:33 am and 8:20 am on 90.3

Northeast Ohio is in a state of change, but who will lead after those changes take hold? Some are concerned that there isn’t much high quality talent lining up to guide Northeast Ohio in the decades to come. But ideastream’s Shula Neuman reports there may be plenty waiting to take the reigns – they just don’t resemble the kind of leaders the region is accustomed to, and many of them are off the radar. As part of Making Change: Reinventing our Economy, Shula reports on an emerging style of leadership.

See also: Craig James Interview [Web Exclusive Interview]

Race and Regionalism - Kentucky Style
April 28, 2004 @ 6:33 am and 8:20 am on 90.3

In the continuing quest to improve the economic well-being of Northeast Ohio, regionalism is a concept that’s catching the imagination of area leaders. Its meaning is vague, referring to anything from inter-governmental cooperation to an actual merging of governments, such as a city with a county. In this segment of Making Change: Reinventing our Economy, ideastream’s Shula Neuman reports that wherever talks of regionalism are headed - the more public discussion there is, the better the chances for success.

What Brain Drain?
April 14, 2004 @ 6:33 am and 8:20 am on 90.3

There are two little words heard about Northeast Ohio that seem to scare people: Brain Drain. The phrase is uttered every time a young, educated person leaves the region. The fear is that if enough people head out, then Northeast Ohio will lose any competitive edge it has. But there are signs that the drain is backing up. According to the Census, the greater Cleveland area actually saw a 0.5% population gain of people between 25 and 34. As part of Making Change: Reinventing our Economy, ideastream’s Shula Neuman reports on why some young adults are going against the stream and what that could mean for our economy.

Apples and the Economy Part 2
March 24, 2004 @ 6:33 am and 8:20 am on 90.3

Globalization is becoming as much a challenge for the agriculture industry as it is for manufacturing. China is now the world’s largest apple producer, accounting for about 45% of the world’s apples, according to the Foreign Agricultural Service. At the same time, U.S. apple production has fallen to its lowest point since 1988. Many see the rise in China’s apple industry as being a threat to growers, including those in Ohio. But what some people see as a threat, others see as an opportunity. As part of Making Change: Reinventing our Economy, ideastream’s Shula Neuman explores some of the core opportunities that could help Ohio’s apple growers branch out.

Apples and the Economy Part 1
March 17, 2004 @ 6:33 am and 8:20 am on 90.3

The tractors have fallen silent for more than 2,000 Ohio farms over the last three years. Despite this, agriculture remains Ohio’s number one industry. The food and agriculture sector adds more than $79 billion to the state’s economy. But many feel that most farms are still underperforming. As part of Making Change: Reinventing Our Economy, ideastream’s Shula Neuman reports on one crop that exemplifies the untapped economic potential of Ohio’s agricultural industry.

Restaurants Unite!
March 3, 2004 @ 6:33 am and 8:20 am on 90.3

At least one industry is feeling optimistic about the economic outlook. The National Restaurant Association reports nearly half of their membership experienced an upswing in business in 2003. Still, that’s less than the majority of restaurants. Lately, independently-owned restaurants in Northeast Ohio have been grappling with a new challenge to their success. Many area restaurant owners have united in an effort to overcome this new hurdle. As part of Making Change: Reinventing our Economy, ideastream’s Shula Neuman reports on what the locals are cooking up.

Eating Ethnic in Cleveland
February 18, 2004 @ 6:33 am and 8:20 am on 90.3

When it comes to the region’s economic growth, the area’s dwindling population is often cited as one of the barriers to success. However, there’s one group that has seen its numbers go up, if only slightly. From 1990 to 2000, the number of foreign-born residents in the Cleveland metropolitan area rose by almost 15,000. Although small in number, immigrants have made an impression on Northeast Ohio’s culinary landscape. As part of Making Change: Reinventing our Economy, ideastream’s Shula Neuman explores the impact immigrants have on both our economy and culture.

Philanthropy Q&A
February 16, 2004 @ 6:33 am and 8:20 am on 90.3

This week the region's philanthropic organizations will gather at a conference to discuss philanthropy's role in economic development. The discussion will be guided in part by a survey on Northeast Ohioans attitudes toward the region's economy. Cleveland Foundation, along with several other regional groups, conducted the survey in conjunction with the Gallup Organization. ideastream's Shula Neuman spoke with Darby Miller Steiger, senior research director for the Gallup Organization and Brad Whitehead, director of economic initiatives at the Cleveland Foundation about the survey's findings and implications.

Highways and Byways
February 4, 2004 @ 6:33 am and 8:20 am on 90.3

When most people talk about urban sprawl, or the outward migration from the region’s core, it usually takes on a negative flavor. However, sprawl is actually a product in part of an efficient transportation system. As part of Making Change: Reinventing Our Economy, ideastream’s Shula Neuman reports on that connection and the costs associated with the region’s highways and byways.

Orange Cones for the Economic Good
January 21, 2004 @ 6:33 am and 8:20 am on 90.3

Winter might be beating up the roads now, but in just a few short months the orange cones will be out and the work of repairing winter’s damage - improving the region’s highways - will begin. Keeping our roads in prime condition isn’t just for commuters' benefits; it’s also a way for the state to sustain Northeast Ohio’s status as one of the most transportation-friendly in the country. As part of Making Change: Reinventing Our Economy, ideastream’s Shula Neuman reports on how Northeast Ohio’s transportation infrastructure is a key to a healthy region.

Changing the Lakefront Character
January 7, 2004 @ 6:33 am and 8:20 am on 90.3

The City of Cleveland can finally move forward with the first stage of lakefront redevelopment. Last month, the state granted the city $50 million to give the Shoreway a makeover, and hopes are high that federal money will provide even more for reconstruction of I-90 and the innerbelt. It will be at least another five years, however, before Northeast Ohioans see the first construction crew break ground. As part of Making Change: Reinventing Our Economy, ideastream’s Shula Neuman reports that there’s still a lot of discussion remaining before any work can begin on re-doing the Lakefront’s character.