The Lake County microloan program has $120,000 available in any amount between $1,000 and $20,000 for business expenses. Call Cathy Walsh, program director, at (440) 357-2290 or visit www.lcedc.org.

Visit our new web site at www.lakecountydevelopmentcouncil.org. Thanks to Jerie Green and crew for setting it up.

Income Levels in Area Counties

How area counties stack up against the U.S. and Ohio averages in 2002 (latest date of available data) is shown in the following table. The ranking the counties have in Ohio is also indicated. Geauga and Lake counties are relatively well off while Cuyahoga and Ashtabula are less so. In Ohio, suburban counties rank high while more rural counties rank lower. Delaware County has the highest rank at $73,620 and Meigs County the lowest at $28,015.

*Household definition: all persons who occupy a housing unit. Usually includes a family and unrelated persons.
Source: CCAO, Issue 1, ’05

How Smart is Smart Growth?

Oregon had established growth boundaries designed to contain sprawl and control growth in the state. The state was thought to have the most advanced smart growth laws in the country. Voters seem to have changed their minds after 32 years of living under Oregon’s Act 100, the landmark law that has determined development and density patterns, by passing a ballot initiative last fall. Measure 37 in effect lifts governments to compensate landowners for any loss of value in their properties because of land-use restrictions.

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CLEVELAND (May 2005) – The most comprehensive survey to date on economic attitudes in Northeast Ohio provides strong support for a regional approach to economic development, with intercounty cooperation on job creation, tourism and business development.

Surveying 2,200 residents in 15 counties, the Northeast Oho Barometer of Economic Attitudes suggests that regionalism may be the best medicine for Northeast Ohio’s economy.

The survey was conducted in January-February 2005 by the Gallup Organization, in conjunction with Cleveland State University, on behalf of the Fund for Our Economic Future, a collaboration of nearly 70 Northeast Ohio philanthropic organizations dedicated to transforming the economy of Northeast Ohio. The survey is intended to assist civic leaders in making policy decisions.

While most Northeast Ohio residents view the economy in an unfavorable light, they remain loyal to the region, according to the survey.

Only 15 percent would rate the economy of Northeast Ohio as “very good” or “good” at attracting new businesses or jobs.
At the same time, 58 percent of those interviewed said they were “very likely” to recommend the region to a friend. Nearly 50 percent said that the region offers the kind of advantages that would keep young people from moving away.

Taken together, the data suggest that most people are committed to the region and find valuable resources and assets here, in spite of an economy that is not performing up to expectations,” said Warren Wright, managing partner, The Gallup Organization.

The Fund is pursuing a regional approach to economic development, with carefully targeted grants to business initiatives, ongoing measurements of economic progress and regional public engagement.

The Fund for Our Economic Future is an unprecedented collaboration among nearly 70 philanthropic organizations from across Northeast Ohio. Its goal is to encourage and advance an agenda for regional economic transformation. Launched in February as a three-year initiative, the Fund has raised more than $26 million of an anticipated $30 million to further its objectives. The Fund’s web site is www.futurefundneo.org.

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