A New Era Begins

This week, Ed Fitzgerald began his tenure as the county's first-executive. On his first day in office, Fitzgerald implemented a sweeping new ethics policy for county employees. Under this new framework, county employees will no longer be able to accept any gifts that could influence their official duties and will be forbidden to hold any outside job without approval. This is certainly a step in the right direction. Focusing on creating a more accountable and transparent government is the best way to rebuild public trust. Yet, beyond focusing on good government policies, Fitzgerald will have a huge opportunity to create a 21st century economic agenda for the region.

The latest economic downturn has fundamentally changed our global economic order, creating huge implications for state and local governments across the United States. With rising deficits, unfunded mandates, and weak economic growth, the mantra of “doing more with less” will continue to be an overriding principle when delivering public goods. While the challenges of this “new normal” seem insurmountable, there is a unique opportunity for Northeast Ohio to think differently about it's economic assets.

Cleveland's healthcare sector is one economic asset that, if leveraged right, has the opportunity to truly revive the region. Just this month construction started on the Medical Mart and Convention Center, which will showcase and market high tech medical equipment. The $465 million facility is not a economic panacea but alongside other strategic investments, it could help re-brand Cleveland as a global health-care hub while attracting high-paying jobs.  It also will help bring more customers to the Cleveland Clinic and University Hospital. Yet, to fully reap the benefits of these economic development projects, regional leaders, like Fitzgerald, will need to work towards developing policies and strategies to ensure our region has a world-class workforce. This requires a bigger, bolder, and better approach to education.

According to the U.S. Census, more than a third of adults in Greater Cleveland hold an advanced degree. However, in the city of Cleveland, only 13.7% of adults hold a bachelor degree, and only 5.2% have an advanced degree. This huge gap, coupled with the cities low graduation rate, make it particularly difficult to attract employers in today's highly competitive knowledge based economy. Fitzgerald, along with the regions other business and civic leaders must use this defining moment in our region's history as a clarion call to action. Ensuring that every child in Cuyahoga County has the skills to be ready for college, work, and life in the 21st century is in everyone's best interest.