National Economic Development Week, which takes place from May 4-9, 2020, was created by the International Economic Development Council in 2016 to recognize the unique role that economic development has played in creating vibrant communities with strong economies.
Geauga Growth Partnership (GGP) was established as a result of the last economic recession in 2008-2009 to assist in the creation, preservation and retention of jobs and employment opportunities in Geauga County. Furthermore, GGP worked to promote and encourage the investment (in whatever form) needed to generate and sustain and otherwise foster, economic development in Geauga County.
Today, the organization is focused on attracting new business, supporting existing businesses and preparing the workforce of the future. When COVID-19 struck, GGP immediately went into action gathering and providing information and resources to help local businesses navigate these uncharted waters. GGP’s work has become vital during this time of crisis.
Support provided by the organization has included producing live webinars on finance, technology, mental health, and changing workplace policies; convening a HR roundtable; advocating for local businesses; developing a collaboration among economic development professionals; and connecting local businesses to the necessary resources. “There are many things to be proud of over the last seven weeks and the GGP team has done a significant amount of work to support the local business community. With that being said, one of the things I am most proud of is the collaboration that is being built between the economic developers in Geauga County,” stated Kimm Leininger, President of GGP.
On March 27th, GGP invited together a cohort of local Economic Developers, which included professionals from Bainbridge Township; the Chambers of Commerce from Burton, Chagrin Valley, Chardon Area and Middlefield; City of Chardon; Geauga County Office of Economic Development; Geauga County Township Association; Geauga Growth Partnership and Village of Middlefield to explore ways and opportunities to work together. The group has been meeting on a weekly basis since that time and has developed and implemented a COVID-19 Business Impact Survey. The survey will provide the group with a better understanding of the impact of the pandemic on the Geauga County business community. In addition, this survey will help this collaborative group to create programs, services and supports to strengthen local businesses.
A member of the Economic Development group, Leslie Gambosi, Director of Economic Development for Middlefield Village says, “I’ve always liked the Henry Ford Quote: “Coming together is a beginning, staying together is progress, and working together is success.” Gambosi continued, “I think that this is just what our group has done in these uncertain times, came together, started working and collaborating for the betterment of our communities and businesses, and continue to work together to assist in the recovery of this pandemic.” And Dave Favorite, Director of the Geauga County Community and Economic Development states, “The collaboration of our business advocacy organizations and the individuals involved is a very important step in providing aid and information to our businesses across Geauga County to assist them in their recovery efforts. Pooling our resources provides us a far broader platform to assist our business community than our individual efforts could provide. It brings together information and examples of the issues our businesses are experiencing from across the county.
Together we are developing solutions and programs for a faster, more comprehensive recovery.” Economic Development Week 2020 is a tremendous opportunity to celebrate all that is happening in Geauga County and all that will come from the efforts of so many. Small businesses are in good hands and GGP would like to thank all of the partners and individuals who have shared their expertise, joined efforts to strengthen our business community or supported businesses locally.
