Once known as a “rust-belt” region, Greater Cleveland is on the cusp of economic recoverythanks, in part, to the collaborative efforts of local organizations to recruit, retain, promote and open contracting bids to people of all ages and abilities, races and religions. Headquartered within an eight-county area in northeast Ohio, a coalition of diversity-management leadersled by the economic-development group Greater Cleveland Partnershipis bringing wealth to underserved communities as the region experiences a post-recession renaissance.
ReadDiversity Drives Cleveland’s Economic Developmentin the digital issue of Fair360, formerly DiversityInc magazine.
A recent Brookings Institute report found Cleveland is on the road to resurgence, ranking 10th among 50 U.S. metro areas. That’s because of its diversification from a primarily industrial base to “new economy” sectors, such as healthcare, biosciences and high-tech industries. Based on annual employment growth and per-capita income, the study found Cleveland’s income jumped 4.1 percent from 2009 to 2010 compared with pre-recession years (19932007).