Accelerate GREATER Akron.
The Greater Akron Chamber, its members,
investors and all its strategic partners have
accomplished big things. Now we ARE ready
to turn the corner with greater energy,
into more rapid progress.
- Chuck Jones, President, Firstenergy,
Chairman of the Board, The Greater Akron Chamber
One Cascade Plaza, 17th Floor
Akron, Ohio 44308-1192
330-376-5550
www.greaterakronchamber.org
All photos except p. 11, bottom right, by Bruce Ford Photography.
ADVANCE
GREATER AKRON
bigger. bolder. better.
2014-2018
No one can go it alone.
Doing business in GREATER Akron
means investing in the work
of the Chamber.
- Tom STRAUSS, president & CEO, Summa health system
Momentum belongs to those
who can run. Energy is all.
all of us together.
Why? Because the Greater Akron region (Medina, Portage and
Why? Because the Midwestern city is becoming a Place to Be
Summit counties) is seeing its most transformational period
for young professionals.
in decades.
The Greater Akron Chamber has completed an ambitious
Why? Because the coming era will be one of huge opportunity,
program for the betterment of the Greater Akron region and
with potential for growth, human development, image,
increased opportunity for all. After six months of extensive
physical improvements, enhanced value, increased capacity.
analysis, our comprehensive Strategic Economic Develop-
Why? Because the Greater Akron Chamber is a leader in
ment Plan builds on achievements and sets audacious goals.
regional and local economic development, hugely respected
We invite you to participate. Be one of our
high-level investors.
among our peers.
Why? Because both historic and new institutions – universities,
biomedicine, urban champions, STEM education, arts, parks
and culture—are changing our attitudes about ourselves.
help move us forward.
CO-CHAIRS, ADVANCE GREATER AKRON
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ADVANCE GREATER AKRON FACT: 53 economic development projects created 3,219 jobs and produced over $1,117.95 million in capital investment.
Anthony J. Alexander
Joseph S. Kanfer
Richard J. Kramer
President & CEO,
FirstEnergy Corporation
Chairman & CEO,
GOJO Industries Inc.
Chairman, President & CEO,
The Goodyear Tire & Rubber Co.
FACT: 1,517 business retention and expansion visits, offering business assistance services in Summit, Portage and Medina counties.
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Our Vision: A high quality of
life for all citizens of the
Greater Akron Region
Achieving this vision requires a vibrant and sustainable
economy supported by leadership from business, government,
and education.
In support of this vision, our mission is to drive economic
development and enhance prosperity for the citizens and
businesses of the Greater Akron region. Business development
creates a better quality of life for everyone.
Talent, Innovation and Leadership will drive the next era of
Greater Akron success.
The Greater Akron Chamber Strategic Economic
Development Plan resulted from six months of
extensive analysis. The process included leadership
assessment, analysis of major economic opportunities
Talent
Education Connectivity
Strengthen our schools to ensure students are prepared, succeed
academically, graduate from college, and enter a career.
Build Emerging Business
Support high growth businesses by helping entrepreneurs
to thrive.
Talent Marketing
Leadership
Align employers’ needs with our partner organizations
focusing on workforce development.
Develop a comprehensive talent attraction and retention
strategy for the Akron metro area.
Downtown Vitality
Transition our urban core into a safe, clean and vibrant
downtown with high-value employment, affordable
residential living, dining, entertainment and culture.
CEO Engagement
Build a senior leadership sustainability blueprint to assure
new CEOs are properly equipped to embrace leadership
positions in organizations such as Akron Tomorrow and
the Chamber Board.
Next Generation Leadership
Innovation
Engage Greater Akron’s emerging business leadership on
issues important to supporting the Chamber’s mission and
regional progress.
Akron Metro Marketing
Core Business Value
Sell the strengths of Greater Akron to businesses outside
the region.
Increase Retention and Expansion
Actively increase support for existing businesses to ensure
they stay here. Assist with expansion opportunities.
working sessions with over 125 leaders of the Greater
regional places of opportunity
ADVANCE GREATER AKRON FACT: Greater Akron Chamber regularly hosts business delegations from around the world.
Accelerate Innovation Centers
Extend the impact of Austen BioInnovation Institute in Akron,
Akron BioMedical Corridor and innovation centers focused on
biotech, life science and healthcare industries.
Demand-Side Training
and other critical issues, and interviews, meetings and
Akron region.
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WE WILL INVEST in:
Enhance value for our members by helping them achieve
operational and financial competitiveness. Increase
membership to 2500.
Regionalism
Continue our commitment to the regional economic
competitiveness strategy for Northeast Ohio.
Partner in the creation of mixed environments with housing,
commercial and office development in Summit, Portage and
Medina counties.
ADVANCE GREATER AKRON FACT: Advocated for continued investment at the State & Federal levels for economic development.
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our biggest drivers of success,
our major opportunities
➡
Biomedical Corridor. Impact business attraction & expansion.
➡
A kron metro partners. Strengthen partnerships across
Medina, Portage and Summit counties.
➡ Austen BioInnovation Institute in Akron. Build talent and
technologies. Create industries.
➡
University Park Alliance. Unique. Positive. Akron-centric.
➡
Downtown Redevelopment. How Downtown will grow up.
➡ Summit Education Initiative. SEI, the support of
Our strategy is focused on attracting new
businesses, keeping the ones that are here
and retaining our talent, with a focus on
young professionals. We also will invest
where it makes sense. The key now is
executing this strategy.
- virginia albanese, president & Ceo, Fedex custom critical,
immediate past chair, greater akron chamber
educational excellence.
➡
Engaging Senior CEOs. Experienced and ready to lead.
➡ Developing Next Generation Leaders. Bringing up the
next wave of brilliance.
➡
NEO collaboration. We are the centerpiece of a powerful
18-county region.
The power of six: What’s new?
You know about our six priorities through Advance Greater Akron. Do you know
what’s new? The following selected objectives have been enhanced or introduced
to make sure we are future oriented and dynamic in our efforts.
1
Grow Greater Akron: strengthen our economy,
retain and attract businesses and talent
3
Promote Greater Akron: tell our story internally
and externally
New objective: Create opportunities and support structures
New objective: Develop and implement a talent attraction
for high-growth emerging businesses and entrepreneurs to
and retention marketing strategy.
thrive and attain self-sufficiency.
Enhanced objective: Develop and implement a targeted
Enhanced objective: Actively work to support existing
marketing/PR campaign in collaboration with our Akron
businesses to ensure they stay in the community. Assist with
Metro economic development partners.
expansion opportunities.
Enhanced objective: Attract target business sectors
including polymers, liquid crystals, advanced energy,
4
Revitalize our physical assets
Enhanced objective: Partner in the assessment
biomedical, instruments, controls and electronics, logistics.
and support of the best ways to build premier research and
Focus on R&D to create additional jobs, diversify the economy.
innovation centers.
2
Invest in Human Capital: build a well prepared,
competitive workforce
New objective: Strengthen Summit County’s P-16 schools
to ensure students are ready to succeed academically and
graduate from college.
5
Enhance value for our core businesses
Deliver enhancements to membership benefits to
increase our members’ return on investment.
6
Create the capacity to succeed
New objective: Identify and cultivate next generation
leaders: individuals with the strongest potential to assure a
seamless transition of Greater Akron’s critical issues.
8
FACT: 406,718 website visits by businesses, individuals, consultants, and others looking to gain information & knowledge in our market.
ADVANCE GREATER AKRON FACT: The Chamber partners with economic development organizations in the three counties for business retention & expansion.
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What’s it to you?
The leaders of our community know what drives this market.
We hope you will accept your role as that kind of leader.
Talent, Innovation &
Leadership – how will we
measure success?
1. Our 2009-2013 goal was $1 billion in new
capital investment.
2. We exceeded $1 billion by the end of 2012.
3. New goal for 2014-2018: $2+ billion in new
capital investment.
4. Benchmark community measurements
➡ Jobs & capital investment
Your company will receive valuable member benefits when
you invest in our shared success.
What will it take to get there?
Our 2014-2018 strategic plan will require $4.3 million in
annual investment. We will raise the funding needed by
continuing to grow the Chamber’s overall membership and
by seeking five-year funding commitments.
Leveraging your investment
For every dollar invested in the Greater Akron Chamber,
we realize a return of almost 9:1 of new capital
investment in our region.
➡ Per capita income
➡ Gross regional product
➡ Educational attainment
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THis is
your time.
ADVANCE GREATER AKRON FACT: The Akron BioMedical Corridor is expected to create 3,000 jobs over the next five years.
In addition to all the benefits of basic and business membership, investor-level members receive:
Six exclusive investor-only events
➡ Eligibility for Nomination to the Board
➡ Premium membership listing
➡ chairman’s reception at the Annual Meeting
➡ Engraved plaque for your office
➡ Recognition in the Chamber lobby
➡
Taking your place with the
leaders of our region.
FACT: The University of Akron, Kent State University, Hiram College and Northeast Ohio Medical University enhance economic competitiveness.
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