Geauga Growth Partnership, Inc. (GGP) is pleased to announce the organization’s Annual Business Meeting which will take place on Wednesday, April 12th at 7:30 am at Generations Event and Reception Center 12809 Chillicothe Rd. in Chesterland.
At this event, GGP leadership will present organizational updates, as well as share future priorities which have been identified in the organization’s strategic plan. In addition to organizational updates, GGP will be presenting two important awards.
GGP will honor Jim Patterson of Patterson Fruit Farm as the recipient of the Frank Samuel Distinguished Service Award. Mr. Patterson has dedicated his life to following his agricultural roots and serving as a third-generation farmer of Patterson Fruit Farm. Mr. Patterson has represented numerous boards and has also served our community as a former County Commissioner. Mr. Patterson is receiving this award for his deep commitment and passion for not only serving our community, but for the leadership and support he has provided to the agricultural industry and business sectors through the years.
John Bonner of Great Lakes Growers will be honored with the 3rd Annual Excellence in Manufacturing Award, sponsored in partnership with MAGNET, the Manufacturing Advocacy and Growth Network. Great Lakes Growers began in 2011 in a 300 square foot, makeshift plastic greenhouse in Kirtland, and has evolved into a 160,000 square foot highly automated, hydroponic greenhouse production facility specializing in leafy greens and herbs. The business grew quickly, and added the infrastructure that would allow the company to rapidly expand over the next decade. Great Lakes Growers is preparing to expand an additional 60,000 square feet by the winter of 2023. Great Lakes Growers focuses on the Midwestern marketplace and boasts the nation’s broadest product line focused on both retail grocery chains as well as food service distributors. As a true innovator in his quest to create the highest quality product in the most efficient and profitable manner possible, John Bonner continues to make the necessary improvements and investments in automation and people to make that goal become reality.
The organization will welcome Keynote Speaker, Dr. Mark Schweitzer, Senior Vice President of Research, and advisor to the research director at the Federal Reserve Bank of Cleveland. Join us for a conversation with Dr. Schweitzer as he provides an update on the economy, the impact of inflation, and recent results from the Small Business Credit Survey.
Dr. Schweitzer joined the Bank in 1992 as an economist. He took leave as a senior economist at the Bank of England and after returning to the Federal Reserve Bank of Cleveland, he was promoted to assistant vice president and director of Regional Economic Issues Program in 2004. In 2007 he left Cleveland to serve as the vice president and executive of the Federal Reserve Bank of Kansas City’s Denver Branch and returned to Cleveland Reserve Bank in 2008 to serve as its research director and oversaw the external outreach and regional analytics unit.
Dr. Schweitzer is responsible for making economic presentations to the Bank and branch board of directors, business advisory councils, and internal and external groups, along with undertaking other projects that focus on special topics. Dr. Schweitzer’s own research has focused on the macroeconomic impact of labor market developments and the identification of factors contributing to regional economic growth.
Dr. Schweitzer is active in the community and currently a member on the Governor’s Council of Economic Advisors and a member of the Economic Advisory Council for Job’s Ohio.
Ticket are on sale now! You won’t want to miss this event!
Go to http://bidpal.net/2023GGPAM/welcome to purchase tickets.
GGP would like to thank the following sponsors for supporting the Annual Business Meeting:
GOLD: Erie Bank; Honest Scales Recycling, LLC; TeamNEO; University Hospitals Geauga Medical Center;
SILVER: KeyBank; Middlefield Banking Company; Mihalic Associates & Auctioneers, LLC; POV Solution; Sheoga Hardwood Flooring and Paneling, Inc.;
BRONZE: Advantage Capital; Beaches & Dreams Travel Co.; McCaskey Landscape and Design, LLC; The Wealthcare Group of Raymond James; Thrasher, Dinsmore & Dolan;
AWARDS: MAGNET; The Frenchie Group
Geauga Growth Partnership’s mission is to enhance the economic climate in Geauga County by attracting new business, supporting existing business and preparing the workforce of the future. For more information visit www.geaugagrowthpartnership.com, contact info@geaugagrowth.com or call 440-564-1060.
