Strengthen Regional Economic Partnerships

Description

Participate in the Elevate Greater Akron (EGA) initiative and engage with regional organizations to support long-term economic growth and stability for Akron.

Why is This Important

Akron's economy does not exist in isolation, and regional collaboration multiplies the impact of local investments. Working through coalitions and partnerships helps Akron attract more jobs, serve more businesses, and benefit from a stronger regional identity.

Initiative Wins

Participated in the Brookings Institution Bass Center for Transformative Placemaking cohort in 2025 to provide in depth data, best practices, and stakeholder insights for downtown Akron.
Grew the Greater Akron Business Navigator to 200+ resources across 75+ organizations, with 22,000 visitors in 2025.
Improved EGA’s accountability to outcomes in 2025 by updating shared “measures of progress” and launching a new, interactive data visualization dashboard.
Hosted the 2025 OEDA conference in Akron with a record 535 attendees.

Impact Spotlight

What We’ve Done This Quarter

Collaborated with surrounding local governments to amend and enhance the benefit of participating in the Jobs Preservation Agreement, which facilitates regional economic development efforts while discouraging poaching.
Hosted 2 Elevate Greater Akron webinars to discuss progress of EGA with the community on Global Polymer Capital and The New Fundamentals.
Secured $10k grant award from US conference of Mayors with matches from EGA, ECRC, and national expert Start Early for City Unified Early Learning Child Care Business Accelerator project.
Launched Workforce Deep Dive leadership series with ConxusNEO to identify systematic solutions to common workforce obstacles.
Wrote grant for awarded $500,000 grant for brownfield job training through USEPA and EGA partner Summit & Medina Workforce Area Council of Governments.
Wrote grant for awarded Society of Plastic Engineering (SPE) Foundation support for 8 3-D printers for hands on STEM education for EGA partner Akron Public Schools.

What We’re Working on Next Quarter

Implementing AI-enabled improvements to the Greater Akron Business Navigator.