Team NEO, the entity charged with marketing Northeast Ohio to the rest of the country and the world, brought a record 16 new businesses to the region in 2013, seven of which are in Cuyahoga County. The new companies add to the region almost 1,400 new jobs and more than $85 million in new annual payroll. The average salary in these companies is $62,000, which also is a record high. The majority of the companies are in manufacturing, healthcare and biomedical.  

“Obviously, we’re really happy about this,” says Tom Waltermire, Team NEO CEO. “The reasons the companies are here vary significantly, but they’re here because we have a whole bunch of resources available.” Three criteria attracted companies to Northeast Ohio, says Waltermire: close proximity to customers; low cost of doing business; and the ability to find and train the talent they need.

Team NEO has been promoting the 18-county Northeast Ohio region since 2007. In seven years, the organization has attracted 83 companies and 6,200 jobs to the area. The organization averaged nine to 12 new companies in each of its first five years. Last year, Team NEO brought 15 new companies to the area.

Waltermire attributes the rising interest in Northeast Ohio to increased awareness. “All of us as a community and a region are just getting better at this,” he says, adding that as consultants become more familiar with the region, they're more apt to promote it. “As we’ve been marketing the region for seven years, we’re becoming progressively better known.”

He also says both newcomers and lifelong residents have helped improve the region’s reputation. “Whether it’s a cocktail party or in a coffee shop, when you get that buzz going and get that informed ambassador effect going, then you’re really rolling.”

Of course, Team NEO alone does not take the credit for attracting the 16 companies. JobsOhio, the state and local communities all were involved in wooing new business to the region.

Source: Tom Waltermire
Writer: Karin Connelly