Friday, December 7, 2012
Down the line, partnerships and an entrepreneurial center could be established as part of the city's economic development incentive framework
In discussing Beachwood's desire to incentivize companies into doing business in the city, Economic Development Director Jim Doutt revealed some long-term goals this week to compliment the city's immediate hopes. While Doutt and other officials believe tools like a job creation incentive program should be developed quickly, an entrepreneurial center would be advantageous but take some time to create. "We need to do this in small steps and phases," Doutt said. "We can't go in and try to fill a space of 100,000 square feet, but I can think of a couple spots down in Commerce Park ... smaller spaces that could be re-purposed and used as an entrepreneurial center for startups, could modeled as an accelerator for companies that are ready to go …
Thursday, October 13, 2011
Get the skinny on the recommendations presented to City Council Monday
The final report from a team contracted to recommend an economic development strategy to Beachwood was presented at Monday’s meeting. The team includes Steve Schoeny of SZD Whiteboard, Mark Barbash, former economic development director of the city of Columbus, and Mark James from ED Solutions. The 29-page report outlined nine broad recommendations that each include specific tasks. Here’s a summary. Branding: “We’re not from Cleveland, and driving up here, we don’t know when we’re in Beachwood,” said Schoeny. Steps to take: Beachwood has a strong brand now — a qualified marketing firm should highlight the city’s strengths. Also, the consultants argued that people should be able to see Beachwood’s borders: with signs or consistent …
Consultants recommend economic development strategy to council; all steps would cost up to $425K plus $322K annually
Consultants told Beachwood council members they should strive for a top-notch economic development program within two years. An economic development team, hired by the city to recommend an economic development strategy, presented their final action plan to Council during a special meeting Monday night. Councilman Fredric Goodman admitted that the city has been “getting our butts kicked” in attracting and retaining businesses. The city recently lost a race to win American Greetings’ headquarters to Westlake, and last month JMC Steel announced it may relocate to Chicago. Council President Mark Mintz said that the study is a step to implementing a comprehensive plan for the city. “I can’t sit here now and tell you how many of these …
Monday, October 10, 2011
SZD contracted to recommend economic development strategy
The Beachwood City Council will hear the final recommendations from SZD Whiteboard for an economic development strategy for the city. SZD Whiteboard has been working for Beachwood since May to develop a strategy to attract further economic development to the city. In August, representatives presented their preliminary recommendations, which included setting incentive packages and creating an economic development department. The meeting will be at 6:30 p.m. in Council Chambers at City Hall.
Friday, September 23, 2011
Special meeting to be held Oct. 10
SZD Whiteboard will present its final recommendations to City Council at a special meeting next month, the city announced today. SZD Whiteboard has been working for Beachwood since May to develop a strategy to attract further economic development to the city. In August, representatives presented their preliminary recommendations, which included setting incentive packages and creating an economic development department. The meeting will be Oct. 10 at 6:30 p.m. in Council Chambers at City Hall.
Friday, August 12, 2011
Consultants present preliminary results of Beachwood economic development study
When it comes to attracting new businesses, predictability is one of the most attractive assets a city can have, Beachwood’s economic development consultants told city leaders Thursday night. SZD Whiteboard has been working for Beachwood since May to develop a strategy to attract further economic development to the city. Thursday the team — which includes Steve Schoeny of SZD Whiteboard, Mark Barbash, former economic development director of the City of Columbus, and Mark James from ED Solutions — gave Council an idea of the strategies they expect to recommend in their final report next month. The team compared Beachwood to six other cities similar in size, income and education demographics, including Worthington, Ohio and Blue Ash, Ohio, …
Thursday, August 11, 2011
Contractors to present preliminary recommendations for Beachwood business growth
Beachwood City Council will hear recommendations to bring economic growth to the city at a special meeting tonight. The city contracted SZD Whiteboard, an economic development consulting firm, to lead the city’s strategic planning to accelerate the city’s economic growth. The firm is conducting a study of Beachwood’s options and will recommend strategies for bringing new business into the city. Tonight’s report will be preliminary results, with the final results presented in September. At a special meeting held last month, council members questioned SZD representatives about the feasibility of offering tax incentives to new Beachwood businesses, and SZD is expected to suggest options tonight. The contract cost the city $80,000. The city …
Tuesday, June 21, 2011
Council will hear comment on proposed zoning change Aug. 15
Beachwood City Council voted to hold a public hearing on a zoning change that would allow more hotels and stand-alone restaurants along Chagrin Boulevard. The public hearing will be August 15, at which time council can take action on the ordinance. The ordinance is part of a larger effort to improve economic conditions in the city, especially in the Commerce Park area, where many buildings stand vacant and are designed for outdated uses. The city hired SZD Whiteboard to conduct a study of the Chagrin corridor and present recommendations for its economic development to Council in September. Councilmen Brian Linick and Saul Eisen questioned city staff about waiting to consider the zoning code revision until after the city receives the …
Tuesday, May 17, 2011
Former Warrensville Heights staffer and two consulting firms will plan Beachwood's economic development strategy
Beachwood now has an economic development team that includes Brad Sellers, formerly Warrensville Heights’ economic development director, who had a hand in bringing the Eaton headquarters to the city, and two consulting firms. The city’s economic development department, which was founded by the Beachwood Area Chamber of Commerce and taken over by the city in 2009, was dissolved earlier this year because of its cost. No similar economic development operations were in place at the end of February, when the last piece of the department — Director Vince Adamus — left the city. “In recent months, we have paused to evaluate our approach to business retention, expansion and recruitment,” said Mayor Merle Gorden in a press release. He added, “This …
Nikki Ferrell
2:27 pm on Friday, August 12, 2011
I see how it's confusing! The Chagrin Boulevard report is a separate one; that article is here: http://beachwood.patch.com/articles/report-suggests-commerce-park-redevelopment more ›