February 2011

On the Agenda
Click here for updated listing of industry events.


Job Opportunities
Click here for recent job notices.


CNDC Committee Meetings

Organizers - February 3rd at 11:30 am
Retail/Commercial - February 17th at 9 am

All meetings are held at the offices of CNDC,
3751 Prospect Avenue unless otherwise noted.
Industry Items of Interest
Up to $5,000 in Funding Available to Neighborhood Groups
Neighborhood Connections, the small grants program affiliated with the Cleveland Foundation, is requesting proposals for their next round of funding.  The program offfers grants of $500 to $5,000 twice a year to groups that organize projects to improve the quality of life in their neighborhood.  Grants are available to any group of residents in the City of Cleveland.  Groups do not need to be recognized as an official 501 (c)(3) organization to receive a grant.  The deadline for proposals is Friday, February 11, 2011.  In its first eight years of grantmaking, Neighborhood Connections has provided more than $4 million in funding to support more than 1,300 grassroots projects to improve Cleveland neighborhoods.  For more information, visit www.neighborhoodgrants.org or call 216-393-4642.
Heritage Ohio Announces FREE Webinar Series
Heritage Ohio is offering a great way for you to boost your knowledge of historic preservation and community revitalization.  The Heritage Ohio Webinar Series will be a free service and feature an array of topics, including using social media for marketing, using historic tax credits, and understanding the alternative building code and many more.  The webinars will be hosted on the first Wednesday of every month from 1-2 pm EST.  The February 2nd webinar will be "How Facebook Can Save Main Street" presented by Doug Nagy, Executive Director of Downtown Painesville.  To register, visit www.heritageohio.org.  If you have any questions, contact Devin Miles at dmiles@heritageohio.org. 
 $12 Million Redevelopment Plan to Make Main Library Center of Downtown Activity  In the so-called internet Age, the library has become a hub for computer use, digital resources, and social and professional gatherings.  With this in mind, the Cleveland Public Library (CPL) is getting a 21st century facelift.  Enhancements will be a centralized location for computers and technology, a first-floor display for popular and rare collections, room for community events, and a new indoor garden.  The Downtown Destination Campaign, as the plan is being called, seeks to make the main library a center of activity and learning and to connect the library with the surrounding area.  The first phase involves creating Tech Central, a one-stop source for computers and technology, with trained staff on hand.  Phase One will cost an estimated $1.2 million.  Cosmetic enhancements to the exterior and interior will also be part of the campaign, with the intent of connecting the historic library with the immediate neighborhood. 
The Cleveland Public Library was chosen as one of the top five libraries in the country last year by the Library Journal.

Apply today for the 2011 Partnership-in-Scholarship Grants  The National Trust for Historic Preservation is now accepting applications for the 2011 Partnership-in-Scholarship Grants for African American Historic Places.  Up to eight matching grants of $5,000 will be awarded for collaborative projects between non-profit organizations and colleges/universities to improve and enhance the interpretation of African American history and culture at historic sites.  Guidelines and applications are currently available on the National Trust Historic Sites Website.  Applications are due Friday, April 29, 2011.  If you are interested in applying or have a project idea that you'd like to discuss to determine its eligibililty, email aahp@nthp.org. 
 

Legal Aid Launches Redesigned Website  The Legal Aid Society of Cleveland is proud to announce they have a new and improved website, www.lasclev.org, where one can find resources, read success stories and learn how you can help Legal Aid provide access to justice.  They can also be found on Facebook.
On Saturday, February 5th, the Legal Aid Society will be hosting a FREE Brief Advice and Referral Clinic.  The Clinic will be held from 9:45a-12p at St. Dominic Church located at the corner of Van Aken Boulevard and Norwood Avenue in Shaker Heights.  This is a first-come, first-served clinic and will only pertain to civil matters, not criminal.  Bring any important papers with you.  For further information, call 216-687-1900. 
The Legal Aid Society of Cleveland secures justice and resolves fundamental problems for those who are low income and vulnerable by providing high quality legal services and working for systematic solutions in Ashtabula, Geauga, Lake and Lorain counties.
  

Interactive Options to Avoid Foreclosure   Explore WaysHome, an interactive video simulation to help you learn about the options to avoid foreclosure.  When entering the site, the user will play the part of a homeowner - in real-life, everyday situations  - who is struggling to make their payments and avoid foreclosure.  Make decisions about what you should do, and experience the positive outcomes or negative consequences of the choices you make.  Helpful tips and advice are also included along the way.  Go to www.knowyouroptions.com/way-home to access the video.  WaysHome is a product of Fannie Mae. 
  

MEMBER NEWS

 Downtown Cleveland Alliance Seeks New City Advocates 
The Downtown Cleveland Alliance (DCA) is seeking new particpants for the DCA City Advocate Program.  Launched in 2009, the program brings together a diverse group of young professionals who are eager to play a role in the revitalization and progress of downtown Cleveland.  The City Advocate Program is collaborative and action oriented in nature, requiring participants to become involved in self-directed initiatives that support downtown in some way.  Past initiatives include advocating for a downtown playground, creating viral videos about downtown life, developing an entertainment district bus loop to connect Tremont and Ohio City, and organizing a mural project for a visible downtown wall. 
The program requires a two-year commitment, attendance at monthly meetings and dedication to downtown Cleveland.  For more information, visit the DCA website at www.dcacleveland.net or contact Laura Kushnick at lkushnick@dcacleveland.net or at 216-736-7799.  Deadline to apply is February 21, 2011.  

 Growing, Growing, Growing in Cleveland  As an industrial retention program for the City of Cleveland, the Cleveland Industrial Retention Initiative (CIRI) has a unique perspective of the state of manufacturing in Cleveland.  Many area companies are seeing consistent increases in quotes, production, and sales leading to cautious optimism about the future.  With the help of CIRI, several companies in the food, consumer products, and automotive sectors are seeing growth that will lead to physical expansion and employment growth.  Some of the success stories include a manufacturer of automotive drive shafts that experienced double-digit growth in sales and employment over the past twelve months.  CIRI introduced them to the Employment Connection Project HIRE grant to grow their workforce; a large fastener manufacturer entered new markets like aerospace and large truck production as a result of the productivity generated by investments in new technology; a local plastics recycler with 20 employees and an average monthly payroll of $60,000 saw sales skyrocket in the last three years.  The company converts raw materials to smaller particles through granulation and pulverization.  This company relocated to Cleveland and is seeking outside funding for their growing new projects and to make their facility more energy efficient; a supplier of defense related products has seen double digit growth in revenues and employment after CIRI introduced them to the PTAC (Procurement Technical Assistance Centers) through a hands-on workshop designed to increase awareness and knowledge of Federal and State supply opportunities. 
These companies are improving otherwise vacant buildings and properties, investing in new equipment, and increasing local employment opportunities which benefit the community at large. 
CIRI provides local companies with information and support in the areas that include financing, general business assistance, real estate and land assembly, infrastructure, technology and modernization and much more.  For more information, please visit www.wirenet.org/ciri.html or call 216-588-1440, extension 117.