Economic Growth Foundation

Inclusive Opportunity:Abundant talent requires inclusive opportunity. The Equity & Inclusion Team has been working since 2001 to close the racial disparities in jobs, income, and wealth, by growing businesses owned by people of color and increasing workforce diversity, equity and inclusion. Our focus is diversity at all levels of enterprises, from team members to the executive suite and ownership. We work with partners to grow minority business enterprises by providing access to customer opportunities and targeted advisory services. We expand diversity in medium and high-wage positions by reducing barriers, sharing best practices on welcoming environments, and developing mentorship networks. Lastly, we ensure digital equity through device donations, affordable broadband access, and digital literacy support for all residents. The below further highlights our priorities and accomplishments.Growing Minority Business Enterprises: We are focused on increasing the number, scope, and scale of minority-owned businesses. Through the Ohio MBDA Business Center and Emerging Developers Initiatives, businesses can access targeted growth resources and advisors. Our advisors serve over 200 minority business enterprises (MBEs) and have prepared them to win contracts and other large-scale federal investments that were deployed at the state and local levels. In 2022, secured contracts for MBEs totaled nearly $132 million, and 140 jobs were created and retained for MBEs.Additionally, with supplemental coronavirus relief funding, staff researched and identified 153 funding sources, including 95 grant opportunities, 47 loan programs, 8 Tax Credit Programs, and 3 bonding programs for more than 350 MBEs. The team worked with these MBEs ensuring they were prepared to take full advantage of the opportunities available to them. Our signature events represent how our thought leadership has supported the region, including our Construction Summit that led to working session with the local government to create a community benefits agreement.Increasing Workforce Diversity: We serve as a convener and resource for employers on diversity, equity, and inclusion. Our workshops and conferences include a CEO Forum and the annual Equity & Inclusion Conference, engaging leaders to commit to action. We also provide an E&I assessment tool to help companies identify their strengths and opportunities for improvement. EGF hosted its 14th annual Equity & Inclusion Conference teaching Greater Cleveland and surrounding area employers how to effectively capitalize on diversity, equity and inclusion in the workplace.Promoting Digital Equity: We are a partner in the Greater Cleveland Digital Equity Coalition, a collective initiative of Cleveland's corporate, philanthropic, governmental, K-12, higher education, health care, workforce, and community-based organizations. The coalition secures device donations, advocates for affordable broadband, and promotes digital navigators. It also fosters public-private partnerships towards the goal of 100 percent of residents being connected. The 2022 Census estimates 91 percent of households in our region have internet, which is an increase of 10 percent prepandemic (equals 50,000 households).

Innovation:A thriving region is built on dynamic businesses. We promote growth and innovation for businesses of all sizes. We work with partners to promote expansions by connecting companies to growth incentives, real estate options, and talent solutions. We serve small and middle-market businesses by sharing funding opportunities, offering cost-saving benefits, and hosting forums for exchanging ideas and creating connections. Lastly, we expand innovation activity for start-ups, corporates, and research institutions (including federal facilities) through sector strategies, industry-institution partnerships, and increased funding.Innovation Initiatives: Through the Cleveland Innovation Project, the region has enhanced sector initiatives in smart and sustainable manufacturing, life sciences, and water tech and enabling initiatives to grow venture capital and innovation corridors.

Talent:Dynamic businesses need abundant talent to grow. Our focus is work-based learning for in-demand jobs, both for today and into the future. We work with partners not only to increase degree and certificate program enrollments and completions in growth sectors, but also to expand internships, apprenticeships, and co-ops and support for participants, through industry-led partnerships with educational institutions and training providers. We also focus on broadening career awareness among high school students through exposure and placement programs that build pathways to employment. Our areas of focus include:Industry Led Partnerships: Sector partnerships are dynamic collaborations of employers, universities, and workforce providers in which employer-led strategies develop and connect talent to jobs and career pathways. Through these efforts, we are working to meet in-demand industry needs and supporting inclusive talent development and advancement for sustainable career paths. Partnerships have been launched in the Manufacturing, Information Technology, Healthcare, and Construction sectors.Work Based Learning: Internships, apprenticeships, and other experiential learning opportunities benefit both students and employers and help the region develop and retain talent from colleges and universities. Internships and Co-ops augment classroom learning with experience in a professional setting. Apprenticeships are skills-based training programs that create diverse talent pipelines for employers while providing opportunities for individuals to attain a post-secondary credential with a career track. During 2022, EGF was awarded an US Department of Labor grant; Apprenticeship Building America totaling $5.8M that it will use to launch a Registered Apprenticeship Hub and advance the Equity in Registered Apprenticeship Programs Hub (E-RAP), which prepares employers and employer intermediaries to adopt equitable RAP and pre-apprenticeship practices.The organization was also awarded $1M from a local foundation to support a Higher Education STEM internship program and to create internships at Cuyahoga County businesses in the STEM and manufacturing fields, available to students at local Universities and other higher education institutions.

Appealing communities play a crucial role in attracting and retaining dynamic businesses and talent. Our focus is next-generation allure for working, living, and playing in Greater Cleveland. We work with partners to enhance our downtown and waterfronts through inter-connected and inclusive residential, commercial, and public space developments. We invest in neighborhoods for both residential and commercial corridor development aligned with accessible and efficient transit. We encourage resources for expanding amenities including parks, arts and culture, sports, and other recreational offerings. Also, since we understand the economic and social benefits of air services, we work closely with the city of Cleveland and other organizations to improve the air services for both business and leisure travel.Enhancing our downtown: Beginning in 2021 and throughout 2022, EGF, through its parent Organization GCP, partnered with the Mayor of the City of Cleveland and his administration to lead a planning process to redevelop the Downtown Cleveland Lakefront. GCP formed a task force of five working groups and more than 150 participants to advance the initiative.Advocating for Amenities: We are a catalyst and advocate for ensuring that the region has and maintains a vibrant range of offerings in arts and culture, parks and trails, sports and entertainment and air services. These provide a high quality of life and attract companies and talent to the region. Our Air Service taskforce worked with other partners and community leaders to secure non-stop flights between Cleveland and Seattle along with international service from Cleveland to Dublin, with connections to Europe and Middle East.

The Great Lakes Metro Chamber Coalition is a collective of chambers of commerce across the Great Lakes region that jointly advocate on core policy issues, including water quality, immigration reform, trade, and transportation and infrastructure. EGF is a founding member of this coalition. The organization continues to staff and lead the coalition's work.