Industry Items of Interest

Bizdom U Accepting Applications  Bizdom U, a non-profit entrepreneurial accelerator that trains and mentors local entrepreneurs is now accepting applications for its inaugural Fall 2011 Cleveland training session.  Replacing the four month, full-time "bootcamp", Bizdom is now introducing two phases for individuals to apply.     
Phase One entitled "Idea Generator" is an 8-week part-time program that helps individuals turn their ideas into a well-developed, growth-oriented business concept.  Phase Two entitled "Launch Labs" is a 3-month full-time program where individuals will launch their business in a collaborative workspace, receive intense training, real-time coaching and feedback from seasoned business, sales, marketing and technology experts.  The Bizdom Cleveland application is available online at www.bizdom.com/apply.  Application deadline is August 19, 2011.  To learn more about Bizdom U, visit www.bizdom.com. or call 216-586-8985.

Neighborhood Connections Applications Now Due  Neighborhood Connections is a small grants program ($500-$5,000) of the Cleveland Foundation designed to assist neighborhood groups to strengthen the social network in their communities.  Grants are intended to spur small, grassroots community efforts.  Any resident-led or community group is eligible to apply, even if those that apply are not designated non-profits.  Grant applicants that do not have non-profit status must identify a fiscal agent.  A fiscal agent is a 501(c)(3) organization that will handle the grant on behalf of the neighborhood group.  Grant applications should include letters of support from community partners whose cooperation or involvement is necessary to the project's success.  Application deadline is Friday, August 12th at 5 pm.  For further information and application guidelines visit www.neighborhoodconnections.org. 
 

Obama Administration Launches Strong Cities, Strong Communities to Support Development in Cleveland  Earlier this month, the Obama Administration launched Strong Cities, Strong Communities (SC2), a new and customized pilot initiative to strengthen local capacity and spark economic growth in local communities, while ensuring taxpayer dollars are used wisely and efficiently.  To accomplish this, federal agencies will provide experienced staff to work directly with six cities:  Cleveland being one of them.  These teams will work with local governments, the private sector, and other institutions to leverage federal dollars and support the work being done at the local level to encourage economic growth and community development.  For more information about this pilot initiative visit www.eda.gov. 
 

CEOGC Offers Summer Cooling Program to Cuyahoga County Residents  The Council for Economic Opportunites in Greater Cleveland (CEOGC) is accepting Emergency Home Energy Assistance Program (EHEAP) applications at its Housing Services Office at 1849 Prospect.  Income eligible households with a member who is sixty (60) years of age or older or one who has an illness that would require cooling can receive assistance with a current electric bill or air conditioner.  The maximum benefit cannot exceed $175 for either the electric bill or air conditioner.  Income guidelines apply and documentation is required in some instances.  The Housing Services Office will accept 25 walk-in applicants each day and will give priority to those 60 years of age and older.  Residents are encouraged to make appointments by calling 216-518-4014.  Those who cannot come into the office should call 216-263-6266 to request a home visit.  The final day to apply for summer cooling assistance is August 31, 2011.
  

North Collinwood Wins $500K Arts- Based Development Grant   The Community Partnership for Arts and Culture (CPAC) announced that it has selected North Collinwood for its Artists in Residence Program, an effort to use artist-based development to help revitalize  urban neighborhoods.
The two-year, $500,000 pilot program will provide a small loan program for artists buying or rehabbing homes in the target area, a small grant program to support artists' work in carrying out community-based projects, and artist home ownership services such as credit counseling and savings programs.  A total of 13 community development corporations from various Cleveland neighborhoods applied to the program, and the panelists were impressed by the grassroots, arts-based approach by the Northeast Shores Development Corporation. 
The program is funded in part through a $250,000 grant from Leveraging Investments in Creativity's Creative Communities Challenge Grant Program, a one-time grant program made possible through the Kresge Foundation. 
CPAC is a nonprofit arts and culture service organization that works to strengthen Greater Cleveland's arts and culture sector. 
 

Summer Sprout 2012  Summer Sprout is the Community Gardening Program of the City of Cleveland's Department of Community Development.  It is managed by the Ohio State University Extension's (OSUE) Urban Agriculture Program.  Summer Sprout Gardens receive technical assistance and can participate in educational workshops from OSUE.  Gardens are also eligible to receive some materials and services, such as soil tests, seeds, starter plants, reduced-rate hydrant permits, roto-tilling, soil, leaf humus and materials for raised beds.  The deadline to apply for Summer Sprout is September 30, 2011 by 5 pm.  For more information and application details visit the OSUE website by clicking here. 

Member News


"Rethinking the Way Forward"  2011 Ohio CDC Association Annual Conference  Mark your calendars for October 5th and 6th for this annual conference to be held in the Mahoning Valley.  Forget about industrial decline - that's so 1980's.  Today - thanks to leadership from local CDCs  - the region is abuzz with signs of a vibrant, diversified economy that works for everyone.  Featured speakers will be Will Allen, Founder and CEO of Growing Power, Lavea Brachman, Executive Director of Greater Ohio Policy Center, Alan Mallach, Nonresident Senior Fellow, Brookings Institution, and Joel Ratner, President and CEO of Neighborhood Progress.  
Early bird registration and special hotel rates are available at the Holiday Inn - Boardman until September 7th.  To register visit the Conference page of the Ohio CDC Association website at:  http://cndc2.us1.list-manage.com/track/click?u=aa4396799f7337546f30d464a&id=6630666156&e=f87c269549.  For additional registration information contact Rhonda Foreman at rforeman@ohiocdc.org or at 614-461-6392, ext. 210.
  

Walk+Roll Returns to Slavic Village    Grab your walking shoes, bike, stilts, skateboard or anything else and join your neighbors and friends on the streets of Slavic Village on Saturday, August 13th, from 1-6 pm for this third annual event.  Three miles of streets will be opened to pedestrians for a unique way to actively explore the neighborhood. 
Street activities for Walk+Roll include live music, public art, historic church tours, garden tours, youth activities, Zumba and much, much more.  All street activities take place from 1-4 pm.  While there, enjoy delicious eats from Cleveland's famous food trucks.  Don't have a bike?  No problem, you can rent one for $10, by reserving one in advance by calling Great Lakes Touring at 330-532-TOUR. 
New this year is the Village Treasure Trek - a bicycle scavenger hunt for all ages.  While you are experiencing some of Slavic Village's historical landmarks and unique businesses grab a raffle ticket that is redeemable for one of the many free prizes.  The Treasure Trek begins at noon and ends at 2 pm at Osmond Court.  After the street activities end, join Councilman Anthony Brancatelli for a community concert at Osmond Court and East 65th.  For a complete list of activities, visit slavicvillage.org. 
 

Join BBC At Their Weekly Block Party   The Burten, Bell Carr Development Corporation invites all to their summer weekly block party.  Every Thursday, from 6-8 pm enjoy cooking demos, food, music, exercise, active video games and much more.  Enter to win spectacular prizes like bicycles, Nintendo WII systems and George Foreman Grills.  All this is part of BBC's Active Neighbors for Healthy Neighborhoods Campaign and the theme for August is Healthy Eating and Cooking.   The weekly block party takes place at St. John's Reading Garden at East 40th and Central Avenue and is FREE and open to the public.  For more information, contact BBC at 216-341-1455 or visit their website at www.bbcdevelopment.org.

Bridging the Distance  On Sunday, August 14th, join the celebration of bridging two neighborhoods.  The annual 5K - 1 mile walk/run will take place at the Cleveland Metroparks Zoo.  Registration opens at 7:30 am at the zoo's main entrance on Wildlife Way.  The walk and run will start at 8:30 am.  Pre-registration entry fees are $12 for children 14 and under and $17 for adults; race day fees are $14 for children and $20 for adults.  Online registration is available by visiting www.hermescleveland.com.  Online registration closes on Friday, August 12th at 9 am.  Also included in the registration fee is free admittance to the Zoo, t-shirts, water bottles, post-race food and awards to the top finishers.  This annual event is presented by the Old Brooklyn Community Development Corporation.  For more information call Hermes Sports and Events at 216-623-9933.  For more information on Old Brooklyn visit www.oldbrooklyn.com.