Victor Bierman - Cleveland Gets $60M for Economic Growth

Victor Bierman - Tourists Visiting Cleveland Ohio in Record Numbers

Victor Bierman - Why Birders are Flocking to Ohio

Victor Bierman - Cleveland to Host Team USA Trialthlon National Championships

Victor Bierman - Cleveland Sees a Bright Future in Solar Energy

Victor Bierman - Cleveland Ohio Offers a Lively Cultural Experience

Victor Bieman - Ohio Aims to Shore Up Great Lakes Restoration Initiative

Victor Bierman - Cleveland Gets $60M for Economic Growth

Victor Bierman - Exploring a Haunted Village in Ohio

Victor Bierman - Cleveland economic growth is hot

Cleveland Wins $60M Federal Award to Spark Economic Growth

Investment in Cleveland is on the rise and Cleveland is poised for even greater heights. Cleveland Development Advisors (CDA) recently announced it has received a $60 million federal award to attract private investment and spark economic growth in the region. “It’s an exciting time for Cleveland and our region has made incredible strides over the last few years, but we certainly can’t stop there. The $60 million in federal tax credits will help us to continue this positive momentum well into the future,” said Joe Roman, CEO of the Greater Cleveland Partnership.

The city has been on an upward trajectory since its hosting of the Republican National Convention (RNC) and recent back-to-back professional sports championships. There is a lot of activity here and Clevelanders are excited. Whether its downtown or the suburbs, everywhere you look there is something going on. Last October for instance, a $60M mixed-use construction project began to revitalize the Ohio City neighborhood.

The New Markets Tax Credit (NMTC) program was signed into law as part of the Community Renewal Relief Act of 2000. The goal of this bi-partisan initiative was to inject economic development to facilitate urban renewal projects in low-income and distressed cities around the country.

As a result of the NMTC program, approximately 750,000 jobs were created nationwide over a nine-year span from 2003-2012. “Simply put New Market Tax Credits work. Previous allocations have leveraged more than $796 million in investment in the City of Cleveland resulting in more than 5,000 permanent jobs and 1,104 housing units,” noted Congresswoman Marcia L. Fudge (OH-11).

According to the CDA which is an affiliate of the Greater Cleveland Partnership, it is expected that this tax credit will result in hundreds of millions of dollars worth of new projects in the city. Cleveland has received these tax credits before and has put them to good use through the financing of more than thirty projects that have generated over 5,000 permanent jobs. Also, more than 1,000 residential units and 2.6 million square feet of commercial space was made possible through NMTC.

“As exciting as this federal award is, it is important to keep in mind that it is given to distressed cities. While Cleveland has made considerable progress, there is a long way to go before it is no longer on the distressed list,” said Victor J. Bierman III, Ohio lawyer and business expert. Through these types of public-private investments, Cleveland is well on its way to being recognized as the world class city it truly is.

Originally published by Victor J. Bierman III:  https://victorbierman.com/2016/12/15/cleveland-wins-60m-federal-award-to-spark-economic-growth/

Victor Bierman - Ohio fun facts

4 Surprising Facts about Ohio You Probably Didn’t Know

There is something about Ohio that you just don’t find anywhere else in the country. “Maybe it’s the high quality education, traditional mid-western values, or a little bit of both, but this state gives birth to some of the best and brightest talent in the nation in a range of disciplines,” noted Victor Bierman III, Ohio lawyer and business expert. Whether you live here or are planning a visit, here are four surprising facts about Ohio you probably didn’t know.

The birthplace of 7 U.S. Presidents

During a 54-year span from 1869 to 1923, 7 of our elected Presidents, all Republicans, were born in Ohio. That’s an astonishing fact!  Ulysses S. Grant (18th) born in Pt. Pleasant was the first President that was born in Ohio.  What you probably didn’t know is that he signed legislation that created Yellowstone National Park which is the nation’s first national park.

Then there was Rutherford B. Hayes (19th) Delaware, Ohio; James Garfield (20th) Moreland Hills, OH; Benjamin Harrison (23rd) North Bend, OH; William McKinley (25th) Niles, OH; William H. Taft (27th) Cincinnati, OH; and Warren G. Harding (29th) Blooming Grove, OH.

29 astronauts were born in Ohio

Ohio is not only the epicenter of American Politics; it is also a leading contributor to NASA’s space program with more than two dozen astronauts having been born in Ohio, including Neil Armstrong (Wapakoneta) and John Glenn, Jr. (Cambridge, OH). As you probably know, Armstrong was the first man to walk on the moon during the Apollo 11 mission in 1969. Meanwhile, Glenn was the first astronaut to orbit Earth. He also served as a U.S. Senator for 25 years from 1974 to 1999.

First professional sports team

In 1869, known as the Cincinnati Red Stockings, this baseball team of 9 players became the very first professional sports team in the U.S. According to the Reds website, the team won their first game against the Mutual’s of New York. The score was 17-8. In 1887, the team eventually changed its name to simply the Cincinnati Reds. The oldest franchise in Major League Baseball hosts home games at Great American Ballpark in downtown Cincinnati.

The NFL was founded in Ohio

Ohio has a long history of professional sports, but you probably didn’t know that the National Football League (NFL) was actually founded here. In the early 20th century, football was a young and growing sport.   After all, it wasn’t until the late 1870’s when the rules of American football were first written. So you can imagine the chaos of different teams interpreting rules differently. To bring organization and unity to the new sport, the American Professional Football Association was founded in Canton in 1920. Two years later the league changed its name to the National Football League (NFL). You can learn more about its exciting history at the Pro Football Hall of Fame in Canton, Ohio.

Originally published by Victor J. Bierman III here: https://victorbierman.com/2016/12/08/4-surprising-facts-about-ohio-you-probably-didnt-know/

Victor Bierman - Comments on Ohio job growth

More Jobs Coming to Ohio

Make no mistake about it Ohio is on a tear. And there is even more good news for Ohioans to celebrate. Governor John R. Kasich recently announced that with the approval of several economic development projects, more jobs are coming to Ohio.  The six economic development projects are a result of the culminated efforts of several state agencies working together for Ohioans.

The projects were made possible through a tax credit from the Ohio Tax Credit Authority (OTCA) that reviewed proposals from JobsOhio and its regional partners. This effort will see the creation of 1,318 new jobs and retain 1,354 jobs throughout the state. These jobs are expected to generate $63 million in additional payroll revenue and $47 million in new investments. Some of the companies that will be adding employees include Magretech in Belleview which expects to create 35 full-time positions, Spirex Corporation in Austintown Township with 143 full-time positions and Medpace in Cincinnatti with 650 full-time positions, to name a few.

Also, more than 1,000 new jobs are expected to be coming to Dayton. The Miami Valley has been posting impressive job numbers lately ratcheting the jobless rate in that area down a notch to 4.6 percent, according to the Ohio Department of Job and Family Services.

And it was the result of hard work between JobsOhio, Team NEO, the Greater Cleveland Partnership (GCP) and the City of Brecksville that helped to bring Pison Steam Solutions to Northeast Ohio. “We’re pleased to work with our regional and local partners in bringing this investment and job-creation project to Greater Cleveland,” said Joe Roman, GCP President and CEO. The research and manufacturing facility is expected to add 130 jobs over the next three years generating an $8.5 million annual payroll. Pison chose Northeast Ohio due in part to its proximity to customers and suppliers along with an attractive real estate opportunity. This combined with a skilled local workforce sealed the deal.

As impressive as these job additions are, there is much more that needs to be done. As of September 2016, the preliminary unemployment rate in Ohio is 4.8 percent, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics. This is up from 4.4 percent in October 2015, the lowest point of the year, but down from its highest point in June 2015 when the unemployment rate was 5.2 percent. “This illustrates the importance of the State of Ohio to continue working with local and regional leaders through public and private partnerships to bring jobs and prosperity to all corners of Ohio,” said Victor Bierman, Ohio lawyer and business expert.

Victor Bierman - Tourism is Big Business in Ohio

Tourism is Big Business in Ohio

When thinking about tourist destinations, Ohio may not immediately come to mind. But tourism is big business in Ohio and its growing. According to a report released by TourismOhio, Ohio has been seeing a steady rise in the number of visitors in the last five years. In 2015, the state welcomed more than 207 million visitors, a healthy 14.4 percent increase since 2011. This has propelled Ohio tourism into a $42 billion industry.

“The rise in tourism has helped to significantly improve economic conditions throughout the state,” noted Victor J. Bierman III, Ohio lawyer and business expert. In fact, tourism-related jobs make up significant numbers in Ohio’s job market. Research shows that there is one tourism-related job for every 13 salaried jobs in Ohio, says Christine Pleva, Lima/Allen County Convention and Visitors Bureau executive director. For instance, in 2014, there were 412,000 tourism related jobs and now, there are 420,000 jobs, based on a survey conducted by TourismOhio.

So what’s driving these impressive tourism numbers? It’s a combination of in-state travelers, corporate meetings and conventions as well as visitors from nearby states. There are also a number of highly rated attractions in Ohio that visitors want to see. The incredibly popular Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in downtown Cleveland is a top draw. And visitors from around the world come to ride some of the world’s tallest and thrilling roller coasters at Cedar Point.

Ohio also boasts a number of highly rated museums including Cincinnati Museum Center, which is located in a historic 1930s art deco building, and the world-renowned Cleveland Museum of Art, which was founded in 1916. Other places like Fountain Square (Cincinnati), Franklin Park Conservatory and Botanical Garden, Wright Brothers National Memorial, Stan Hywet Hall and Garden, and Hocking Hills State Park are also contributing to the rise in tourism.

Ohio visitors are big spenders. As an example, the roughly 20 percent of visitors who stay in Ohio on an overnight trip will spend $354 on average during their stay.  Also, a recent TourismOhio survey discovered that over 70 percent of visitors are spending their money on “experiences” rather than on souvenirs.

In 2015, TourismOhio unveiled its new “Ohio. Find it here.” logo and slogan as part of its branding Ohio as a top tourist destination. Approximately, $6 million will be spent in 2016 to increase in-state tourism as well as attract visitors from nearby states.

Victor Bierman - Ohio Job Training

Ohio to Train Workforce to Meet Future Job Market Demand

In an effort to train Ohio’s workforce to take full advantage of future job market demands, Governor John Kasich recently announced a new workforce initiative asking his Executive Workforce Board to “find ways to remove barriers to training and employment opportunities for Ohioans.” He asked the board to bring recommendations to him within ninety days. “We need a workforce system and education system that can respond to the changes and develop a skilled and productive workforce to compete in a global economy,” said Ryan Burgess, the governor’s director of the Office of Workforce Transformation.

In a study conducted by OhioMeansJobs, 100,000 jobs are available on a consistent basis. But, at the same time, around 300,000 people are unemployed, according to state unemployment data. It’s because of these statistics that Gov. Kasich has instructed his Executive Workforce Board to search for ways to do away with barriers that prevent people of Ohio from landing these jobs. Gov. Kasich wants Ohioans to have the necessary skills that Ohio companies need, so they can be absorbed in the job market. And these skills, according to the Governor, can effectively be acquired through training.

The Executive Workforce Board is planning to work with colleges, schools and universities, as well as non-profit organizations and labor groups. The main objective of the board will be to determine the skills that individuals need today and in the future.

Burgess leads a strong Executive Workforce Board team of 28 members who are educators, business leaders, legislators, and labor leaders. Although Ohio has been consistently increasing the number of available jobs, Gov. Kasich wants to make sure that current and future employees are prepared to meet the companies’ ever-changing working requirements. Recent years have seen employers and educators carry out various initiatives to help equip workers with basic skills needed by companies in Ohio.

Given the fact that Ohio has been adding jobs on a consistent basis means the state currently has numerous jobs available. “But there are just not enough people with the required skills to fill these vacant positions,” said Victor Bierman III, Ohio lawyer and business expert. “Considering the quality of training the Governor wants to develop, Ohio workers will not just have the experience and expertise to perform in current jobs but also the ability to meet future job market demands.”

Originally published by Victor J. Bierman III here: https://victorbierman.com/2016/10/21/ohio-to-train-workforce-to-meet-future-job-market-demand/