Cleveburg Rising

Check out this great post via  Burgh Diaspora by Jim Russell

The next Silicon Valley won't look like Silicon Valley. The era of greenfield economic development is over, at least in most OECD countries. Here in the United States, we've done a good job of picking that low-hanging fruit. The next innovation heartland will be in the Rust Belt, brownfield economic development.

Richard Florida, and others, are very good at mapping where the current clusters are located. We also understand why regions such as Silicon Valley are now economic powerhouses. Unfortunately, that hindsight doesn't project well into the future. What we read and hear is that the current winners will only get stronger. In many cases, that's likely true. But there will be new winners. How might we divine them?

Worthy of reiteration, Detroit hopes to be the next Pittsburgh:

Primary metals and all of manufacturing continued to decline as a share of metro Pittsburgh’s employment earnings. But it didn’t consign the region to permanent low- prosperity status. By the 1990s Pittsburgh was at or above the national average in per capita income even though primary metals accounted for only 4 to 5 percent of employment earnings and 17 to 19 percent for all of manufacturing. In 2008 Pittsburgh returned to its previous peak compared to the nation—104 percent of the national average. Of the 55 metropolitan areas with populations of a million or more, it ranked 16th and was more prosperous than Dallas, Raleigh/Durham, Austin, Portland and Atlanta.

In terms of prosperity, Pittsburgh hits way above its weight. If Cleveland could gets its act together, look out world:

Cleveland historically had the more diversified economy [than Pittsburgh] and traditionally was the most successful and largest city in the region. The city primarily built component parts, providing the essential industrial pieces to other mostly producer products. Companies such as Parker Hannifin, Standard Products, Cleveland-Cliffs, the Eaton Corporation, Yale & Towne, TRW, White Motor, and Sherwin-Williams exemplify the entrepreneurial efforts that build Cleveland.

This proud historical legacy is a blessing and a curse. It is a curse because the industrial decline of Cleveland has been more gradual, punctuated by many efforts to restructure alongside a common belief that corners were being turned—only to face another setback amid the steady decline of employment in industrial manufacturing across the Midwest. But it is a blessing because many parts and components are still manufactured in the city, along with the important service components that accompany their distribution. These industries remain highly competitive in the global economy, sustaining the region for export markets and defining a source of expertise and strength.

Pittsburgh shed its manufacturing base much more quickly than Cleveland did. Hence, Detroit looks at Pittsburgh as opposed to Cleveland as a model for a way forward. Ironically, Cleveburgh is a tried and true economic geography that lends itself to cluster-based economic development:

The fortunes of regions, of course, are tied to the fortunes of their firms and industries. The success and specialization of 19th-century achievements are still visible and still define many of the expectations, capabilities, and obstacles in this region. Writing in 1936, economic geographer Richard Hartshorne noted that the Pittsburgh-Cleveland region—geographically situated in western Pennsylvania and northeastern Ohio—was one of the most important regional economies in the United States.

The name "Richard Hartshorne" should be familiar to anyone who majored in geography at university. 

(I didn't realize he was born in Kittanning) Cleveburgh was obvious in 1936. Cleveburgh should be obvious now. It isn't. I think we are looking at the first regional innovation cluster to cross state boundaries. At least, where better to test the policy idea?

Cleveburgh, not the Great Lakes Economic Initiative or the Global Midwest, is the policy geography of the future. The TechBelt is further along than anything John Austin or Richard Longworth has proposed. The reason why is buried in obscure texts about historical geography. If only more analysts and pundits read them.

Making Government Work

The recent arrests of County Commissioner Jimmy Dimora and former County Auditor Frank Russo further cemented the fact that Cuyahoga County government has been paralyzed by lack of accountability and transparency.  For years, Dimora, Russo, and others used their office and taxpayer dollars to advance their own political and personal interests, while the region they served witnessed massive brain drain and lost thousands of jobs. Incompetent leadership in government at any level is a recipe for conventional thinking and persistent decline. For Cuyahoga County, and the Greater Cleveland area, this is has been a sad reality for far too long. However, with the new county charter and the upcoming county elections, there is a small glimmer of hope that the newly elected leaders will put restoring faith in government as their number one priority.

When voters head to the polls on November 2nd, the most important vote they cast will be for the newly elected county executive. So far, a majority of the candidates have a promised specific policies to promote openness and transparency. According to a survey conducted by the Cleveland Plain Dealer, a majority of the candidates agreed to the following provisions:

• Make public records available without delay
• Provide timely access to their calendars of public business
• Disclose any gifts they receive as public officials and the values of them

These are all steps in the right direction. Yet, beyond these basic recommendations, voters should look towards putting their faith in the candidate who best articulates a vision and a plan to usher in a new era of leadership in county government. One that is grounded in understanding the fundamental challenges our region faces in today's global economy, not based upon patronage and favoritism. As the sole shareholders of our region, citizens must take their vote seriously. We must hold our elected officials accountable. Each of us have a stake in the economic prosperity of our region. To invoke the words of Thomas Paine, let us begin the work of remaking our county. If we wait any longer, it may be too late. 

A Bold Call to Action

The continued challenges facing the Warehouse District have forced many leaders in Cleveland to reassess the cities viability as destination for young professionals. Reverend Jawanza Karriem Colvin wrote a compelling editorial articulating his vision for the city. It's a bold reminder to all of us who care deeply about the future of our city. Check out the piece below:

Finding Strength in Open Minds:

Last week's reports on the arrest, detention and alleged beating of two African-American corporate executives in the Warehouse District are disturbing, but unfortunately not surprising. The Warehouse District, a section of the city that at its best should reflect the trendy, cosmopolitan character of Cleveland, is gaining a reputation for racial insensitivity.

Coupled with the shocking allegations of police misconduct, this incident only complicates attempts to successfully market the city and the region to aspiring young professionals. As we know, the recruitment of this population is an important part of fulfilling any hopes of regional prosperity, which can positively impact the quality of life for our communities and neighborhoods.

The arrival of bright, vibrant and energetic persons seeking to begin their careers with the prospect of eventually settling down, starting families and making civic contributions is an increasing reality for some American cities and an urban planner's dream in others. Today, growing and emerging regions recognize that this is a population they simply cannot do without. They also recognize this is a demographic that is increasingly diverse in race, culture and place of origin.

As a result, the message is clear: Tolerating intolerance is self-defeating.

If Cleveland and Northeast Ohio are going to attract a new generation of talent, they must -- along with reimagining the local economy -- continue to nurture an inclusive and open environment across racial, cultural and geographical lines. Historically, such lines, instead of being points of meeting for healthy discourse on our commonalities and differences, have become intersections of ignorance and discrimination.

As this region wrestles to find its 21st-century political and economic identity, it must expend similar intellectual and soul-searching capital to frame a new cultural one. It must do so or risk lagging behind in a competitive global marketplace where the talent pool is multiracial, multicultural and more tolerant of differences than previous generations.

How do we accomplish this?

There are no quick formulas or magic potions for changing hearts and minds, nor are there assurances that the embracing of inclusion in our personal lives will translate into more progressive policies and practices, or vice versa. However, there is an opportunity and a challenge. The opportunity at this moment is to celebrate the growing diversity of our region and to continue to increase such efforts in defiance of the pockets of prejudice that still remain in sectors of the public, private and commercial arenas.

The challenge is to summon the courage to confront our deeply embedded historical, cultural and institutional "isms," which can manifest themselves in the form of glass ceilings, abuses of power and violations of the most basic civil and human rights. W.E.B. Dubois, the famed African-American sociologist, asserted that the greatest issue of the 20th century would be the color line. It is a new century but, sadly, we have still not solved this old, vexing problem of race and difference; and while some pray for it to simply go away, the future will not wait for us. As a matter of fact, it's time to catch up.

Colvin is the pastor of Olivet Institutional Baptist Church in Cleveland.

Detroit's Master Plan

The 21st century is quickly becoming the age of the city. Today, half of the world's population lives in cities. And in the developing world, cities are constantly expanding to meet the demands of massive population growth in the urban core. This narrative however is quite different in the United States. While economically metropolitan centers are critical to the U.S. (90 cents of every dollar made in the U.S. comes from U.S. cities), many are facing declining tax revenues and massive population loss. Detroit, like Cleveland, is one of those cities that shares this narrative. Currently, the city has an $85 million budget deficit, an unemployment rate of 14%, and a high school graduation rate of only 37.5%.

Understanding the challenges facing the city, earlier this week, Detroit Mayor Dave Bing announced his new campaign to revitalize the city. While the details of the plan will primarily depend on public input, the Mayor has boldly challenged his constituents and city officials to think differently about redeveloping a shrinking city. Like many other mayors of shrinking cities, Bing is beginning to embrace the new era of downsizing. Youngstown, Ohio and Flint, Michigan have paved the way for how we think about redevelopment in this new era. They have torn down blighted homes to create more green space and have consolidated city services with inner-ring suburbs to save tax dollars.

Now more than ever, cities like Detroit and Cleveland need to think critically about the merits of downsizing. For many urbanists this is a hard idea to accept, as the notion of downsizing an American city goes against our optimistic nature. Yet, their is immense opportunity for these cities if downsizing is done right. If Detroit can embrace its shrinkage through innovative land use plans, it could allow the city to focus more on addressing the systemic problems of creating jobs and improving public schools. Let's see if Detroit can prove us wrong and return to its glory days. Cleveland could use the competition.

New County Government Critical to Cleveland's Future

The political corruption scandal that has plagued Cuyahoga County has sparked an unprecedented mood of reform in Northeast Ohio. As the federal public corruption investigation continues, voters seem eager to eradicate the politics of bribery and corruption with common sense governance that can advance the region in the 21st century. For decades, regionalism proponents have argued that the current governance structure in Cuyahoga County seemed redundant and stifled economic development for the region. After voters overwhelmingly supported a grassroots movement to enact a new county charter,  regionalism supporters now have their opportunity to enact a new county government, led by a County Executive and an 11-member County Council.

As voters head to the polls to vote in the primary elections on September 7th, it is critical that they support candidates who have bold ideas to ensure that the Northeast Ohio can compete successfully in today's knowledge-based economy. From education to promoting regional development, the new County Executive and County Council will have a unique opportunity to lay the foundation to advance the social and economic well-being of the county. Even more importantly, the new government must understand Cleveland's critical role in having a thriving and vibrant region. Every decision they make will impact Cleveland's viability as a successful metropolitan center.

The Why Cleveland Matters Blog will keep its eye focused on what's happening during this exciting election season. Stay tuned for more....