The International Economic Development Council (IEDC) recently awarded its Excellence in Economic Development Awards to organizations involved in three ongoing efforts to improve Cleveland.

The city of Cleveland was recognized for its collaborative effort in developing the Flats East Bank. The Jumpstart Entrepreneurial Network received two silver awards for its work in leveraging resources for area entrepreneurs. RTA, the city of Cleveland, Downtown Cleveland Alliance (DCA) and the Northeast Areawide Coordinating Agency (NOACA) earned a bronze award for the expansion of free trolley service around downtown.

The Flats redevelopment effort, led by the city, Wolstein Group and Fairmount Properties, is revitalizing a blighted, once-thriving entertainment district into a mixed-use neighborhood featuring apartments, restaurants, shopping and other entertainment. In their comments, the IEDC judges said, “Big project with incredible collaboration and complex funding…. It will be interesting to see its impact when completed.”

JumpStart Entrepreneurial Network received two silver awards -- for entrepreneurship and technology-based economic development -- in its support of entrepreneurs and collaboration with other organizations to ensure the businesses' success.

“I think it’s a testament to JumpStart and its partners,” says Samantha Fryberger, JumpStart’s vice president of marketing. “JumpStart, seed funds, incubators and mentoring groups all work together to ensure a company has success. That’s most unique to Northeast Ohio.”

RTA, DCA, NOACA and Cleveland received a bronze award for expanding three free trolley lines: The E Line along Euclid Avenue from the Warehouse District to E. 20th Street and Prospect Avenue; The C Line, which connects the Horseshoe Casino, PlayhouseSquare, the Rock Hall, FirstEnergy Stadium and the Great Lakes Science Center; and the NineTwelve Line, which runs along East 9th Street.

“It helps connect the activities downtown,” says Joe Marinucci, DCA CFO and president. “It’s been a great collaborative effort that has visitor benefits but also strong business benefits.”

The winners were recognized earlier this month at IEDC’s annual conference in Philadelphia.

Sources: Samantha Fryberger, Joe Marinucci
Writer: Karin Connelly