Council on Competitiveness Meets in NE Ohio

The Washington-based Council on Competitiveness (CoC) is holding its final report-out session on the regional economic assessment it has conducted for NE Ohio over the past several months.

Last night, I enjoyed talking with several CoC staff and leaders and other regional business, technnology and higher education leaders at the reception hosted by the University of Akron. I detected a new spirit and energy that I have not seen in NEO in a long way. This is a good sign.

Three priority areas will be discussed today:

1. Strengthening the region's manufacturing base, which will be addressed by a new initiative called the NE Ohio Manuacturing Global Roadmap Initiative, led by CAMP Inc. and local manufacturing executives. (I have worked closely with CAMP President Steve Gage on the design of this exciting initiative.)

2. Expanding the innovation and research pipeline, which NorTech will take the lead on in helping NE Ohio universities and businesses to strengthen connections and get more commercial results.

3. Combatting NEO brain drain with "brain gain," which will get leadership from the NE Ohio Council on Higher Education.

These priorities and what to do about them will be discussed today at the Council on Competitiveness event today.

More to come on this important event and follow-up actions.