NEO Horizons: A Look Forward Regional Day October 30, 2006

Is It Really That Bad?

NEO Per Capita Income in Top Third of All Metro Areas NEO Atlanta Portland Charlotte Raleigh

Who is Team NEO?

Team NEO: JV of the Chambers Joint Venture of Larger NEO Regional Chambers –Greater Akron Chamber –The Greater Cleveland Partnership –Youngstown-Warren Regional Chamber –Stark Development Board –Lorain County Chamber of Commerce –Medina Economic Development Council Serve and Promote 13 County Region –4 Million Population –2 Million Workforce –12 Largest Economic Zone in U.S.

Launched Nov 2003: Mission The region catalyst, supporting and stimulating higher levels of targeted marketing business attraction, retention and development in Northeast Ohio. Uniting the Region to Accelerate Business Growth

Team NEO’s Role…Catalyst Regional Business Retention, Expansion and Attraction –Assist Companies to obtain: City/County/State Tax Credits, Grants & Incentives Low Cost Capital Workforce Training and Incentives Relocation Services –Location Searches across the Region –Industry Networking, Sourcing/Customer Development Econometric Research Marketing the Region’s Assets “Switzerland”…The Indispensable Neutral Party

Insights Northeast Ohio

Northeast Ohio Population Stable Moody’s Economy.com data

We are Transitioning to a New Growth Curve Center of U.S. Industrial Boom –Created Substantial Community Wealth and Cultural/Intellectual Assets Commodity Manufacturing Base Fading Behind Us New Technology-Driven Economy Emerging on World Class Assets These are “Long Waves”, Change is Organic –Research Triangle Founded 1959 –Silicon Valley roots 1930’s

New Economy Emerging From World Class Assets Diverse Base of High Value Manufacturing Corporate HQs and Research Centers World Class Healthcare, Life Sciences assets Market Reach with Excellent Logistics Strong Financial Institutions National Prominence in Higher Education Resurgence of Entrepreneurial Activity World Class Cultural Assets High Quality, Affordable Life Style The Envy of Every “New Economy” City

Quarterly Private Sector Employment Change Source: Bureau of Labor Statistics QCEW data; not seasonally adjusted

Change in NEO GRP (Source: Moody’s Economy.com)

Insights The Region’s Economic Development “System”

Smart Regionalism Big Opportunity---Tough Task Strong Region Built on Strong Individual Communities Individual Communities Maintain Individuality: Diversity of Communities is a Strength Local Pride and Identity Creates Energy Regional Collaboration When it Makes Sense Connecting Economically Centralize as Appropriate Can Compete Nationally/Globally Better as a Region Public/Private Partnership is Critical Private thinks Regionally; Public thinks locally Long-Term Mindset; Requires New Behaviors

Smart Regionalism Team NEO Role Evolved to Find Value Added Niche Marketing as a Region Accelerate Industry Clusters through Regional and Statewide Connections User-Friendly Central Entry Point to Site Selectors and Businesses Interested in NEO Help Companies Stay in NEO when Expansion or Move from Current Location Needed Champion Creative New Approaches that Leverage Regional Strength while Keeping Local Pride/Energy If Not Team NEO, Then Who?

Market, Attract, Retain Large/Med Companies Increase Investment in New Technology Assist and Invest in Hi-Potential Entrepreneurs Bring Capital to Grow the BioScience Sector Transform Manufacturing Base to Highly Productive, High Value Producers Regional ED Groups are Focused, Complementary and Strategic

Priorities Team NEO

Team NEO Priorities 1.Focus on High Potential Industries

Focus on High Potential Industries Core Industries –Healthcare –Polymers –Advanced Manufacturing –Financial Services Emerging Industries/Opportunities –Flexible Liquid Crystal Displays –Advanced Energy –NASA Glenn and Orion Project –Information Technology

Team NEO Priorities 1.Focus on High-Potential Industries 2.Launch Regional Marketing with Partners –NEO Messaging to Targeted Audiences 3.Develop More Tools, Training to Improve the “System” (Retention and Attraction) –Training, Marketing Templates, Research, State of the Region Reports 4.Champion Smart Regionalism –Tax Sharing Across Communities 5.Create a Greater Team NEO

Greater Team NEO Pledge

Team NEO Uniting the region to accelerate business growth. To bring, expand or keep a business in Northeast Ohio, call NEO.1411

Back Up Slides

NEO Horizons: A Look Forward Key Takeaways Transition from Old to New Well Underway Region’s Economy Dynamic, Yet Stable Overall (Too Stable) World Class Assets Fueling new Growth Curve New Curve Requires Work, Resources, Persistence, Patience Region’s Business Community Investing Seriously in Clear Strategy BIG Team Needed to Accelerate $140 Billion Region

Unified Chamber Strategy Cleveland, Akron, Canton, Y&W, Lorain, Medina 1.Build more Growing, Globally Competitive Businesses 2.Make Life Better for the People of NEO 3.Create the Support and Energy to Succeed in Accelerating our Economy Businesses Across the Region Investing More than $34 million Each Year Implementing this Strategy

Build More Growing, Globally Competitive Businesses Help Existing Businesses –Gain Skills, Resources to Grow Attract New Businesses –Promote NEO Assets, Including Quality of Life –Create Business Friendly Environment Increase Innovation, Business Start-ups and Investment in New Technology

Make Life Better for the People of NEO Create a Competitively Advantaged Workforce –Increase Workforce Skills –Improve Educational System Effectiveness –Attract/Develop New, Young Leaders Improve Physical Assets: Accessibility, Appearance Support Quality of Life Programs Re-Build and Re-Energize Core Cities into Vibrant Economic and Social Centers

Create the Support and Energy to Succeed in Our Turnaround Aggressively Tell NEO Story to Priority Audiences –Regionally, Nationally, Globally Work to Create Public Policies and Support Public Officials who Advance this Agenda Increase Our Power by Becoming Better at Regional Goal Setting and Regional Action

Filling Gaps to Go from Good to Great Effective Complementary Marketing Strategies –Targeted Nationally/Globally and Internally Coordinated Region-wide Retention Process Concerted Talent Attraction Effort Need More Trained ED Professionals Leverage NEO’s Political Strengths to Improve OH Business Climate and OH/Fed Clout Going from Good to Great in Regional ED will Take Work and Resources