CABINET ON COMMUNITY AND ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT

Scott Armstrong, Moderator
Mark Albrecht, Resource Delegate

Workgroup Members:
Sandy Auburn, Ph.D., Pamela Bonner, Malcolm Costa, Karen Edwards, Nan Gelhard, Mitch Gingrich, Mary L. Hensley, Ester Linton, Steve Maurer, Paulette L. McGregor, Gregg Mervis, Diane Miller-Dawson, Judy Nicely, Tim Ochsenhirt, David Ost, Angela Price, Therese B. Proenza, Gertrude Robinson, Gary Rosen, Raymone Scott, Stephanie A. S. Smith, Amy Nicholls Swanson, Mary Tompkins and William Walker

In 2025 Akron will be globally recognized as a center of excellence for business, research, technology, manufacturing and information. Because of the quality and strength of its business environment, work force, residential neighborhoods, arts, culture, recreation, education and infrastructure, Akron will be a great place to live, work and play.

Goal: Akron will be a Center for Business
Strategies:

• Establish an entrepreneurial environment for new business creation.
• Create a climate that makes Akron the easiest place to conduct business.
• Develop local/state/regional programs to retain and attract business, and provide funding in support of those programs.
• Market Akron’s advantages in order to attract corporate headquarters/decision- making centers.

Goal: Akron will be a Center for Research
Strategies:

• Strengthen the relationship between the region’s universities and the business community through the development of industrial and corporate affiliate programs for technology transfer, professional education and certification, etc.
• Increase research and development in the business community through the cooperative efforts of government, universities and corporations.
• Develop city- university partnerships in order to facilitate technology networks, and information and distance learning services for the citizenry at- large, as well as private enterprises.

Goal: Akron will be a Center for Technology
Strategies:

• Further the relationships developed between the region’s universities and the business community in order to foster and communicate the creation of new technologies and businesses.
• Building upon the relationships developed between the region’s universities and the business community, focus upon converting local research into local business.
• Encourage cooperation between the region’s universities, governments, institutional entities, trade associations, and the business community in order to advance technological innovation within existing businesses/industries.
• Dramatically increase efforts to develop, retain and attract a highly- skilled technology work force.

Goal: Akron will be a Center for Manufacturing
Strategies:

• Encourage businesses to adapt to changes in technology and customer demands.
• Promote the development of support businesses for new industries.
• Provide affordable manufacturing sites.

Goal: Akron will be a Center for Information
Strategies:

• Enhance the existing technology infrastructure.
• Aggressively develop and market Akron’s communication network.
• Require that new construction and renovation be designed to accommodate future telecommunication needs.
• Develop a "virtual Akron" with links to corporate, service, government and educational information.

• Strong cultural institutions
• Innovative and readily available financial resources
• "State- of- the- art" public and private education systems
• Successful local businesses and their leaders
• Quality essential services - fire, police, EMS, etc.
• Progressive laws and regulations
• Diverse entertainment and recreational amenities
• National recognized diversity awareness programs (i.e. Coming Together)
• Enhanced/expanded infrastructure - transportation system, utilities, communications, etc.
• Safe, affordable, diverse and aesthetically pleasing residential communities
• "First Class" health care