Out of Ohio’s metro areas, Cleveland boasts the largest economy, which has continued to grow in recent years. The region’s strong manufacturing industry, and increase in mining, natural resources, and construction industries have strengthened the economy and led to a lower unemployment rate.
However, a low unemployment rate doesn’t mean the community is thriving. Many journalists have written about the “skills gap” in NE Ohio, referring to what job seekers know and what companies need. This gap can keep potential skilled workers in low-paying jobs, preventing the economy from moving forward for everyone, as the Cleveland Plain Dealer reports. One distinct area where this is happening in Cleveland is the tech industry, which has many open software jobs and few people to fill the positions. To help residents explore how to tap this potential and address barriers, local journalists teamed up and hosted Your Voice Ohio: Vibrant Cleveland.
On Thursday, October 3, 2018, at Lab Studios by Glo, residents met with members of the media and explored these four questions:
- What would Cleveland look like if it was thriving for everyone in the community?
- What’s one thing you would improve or change in Cleveland to make it more vibrant?
- What assets, resources, and strengths exist in Cleveland?
- What actions might we take to make Cleveland more vibrant?
To view all participant responses, ideas, and hopes for the future of Cleveland, download the event report.