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Highlights from the 2016 State of the County Address
Contacts:
Jeane’ Holley, (216) 698-2544; (216) 640-0821; or jholley@cuyahogacounty.us
Cleveland, OH – Yesterday, Cuyahoga County Executive Armond Budish delivered his second State of the County address. His focus was on the role of the county in its new form. The county charter makes it clear that county government must promote economic well-being and prosperity throughout the county, and all of its residents, not just some, on a fair and equitable basis, through economic competitiveness, job creation, and economic growth.
“Our county has the unique ability to bring together the partners, leadership, team, resources, creativity, will and passion to create a prosperous place for all of our residents,” said Budish.
During his speech, Budish announced several key initiatives:
Universal Pre-K 2.0: Through a strong collaboration with both the philanthropic and private sector, the county has raised $22 million for the Universal Pre-K initiative. The funding will double the amount of 3-4 year olds throughout the county who will be able to attend high quality pre-k.
“We need to give our kids the right start in life. High quality pre‐k is transformative,” said Budish.
Comprehensive Reentry Services: Comprehensive Reentry Services is a voluntary pre and post release employment and job readiness program for male adult individuals serving court sentences with the County jail and housed at the Euclid Jail facility. Individuals who meet the criteria for participation in the program must engage in all aspects of working on their employment plan while at the Euclid Jail.
“People without adequate education or training to get a job, they commit a crime and go to jail, and then when they come out we expect that somehow, miraculously, they’ll be able to get a job and become productive. We need to make a change, to give those who want it a chance to make a change,” said Budish.
The Global Center for Health Innovation Rising Star Awards: The Rising Star Awards are designed to reward companies that represent the Global Center's vision as a beacon for engagement, connection and inspiration to innovate healthcare today and tomorrow, advance economic development, and create jobs in Northeast Ohio. Each Rising Star Silver and Bronze Award recipients will receive a one-year rent-free space in the Global Center's Business Showcase. The Rising Star Gold award winner will be awarded space in the Global Center Business Showcase and a $25,000 stipend for business development.
The Global Center for Health Innovation Rising Star Awards program is sponsored by a Presidential Grant from the Mt. Sinai Health Care Foundation and will be one of the country’s largest business plan competitions.
“The Global Center is becoming a magnet to attract the most exciting innovative and entrepreneurial new health care businesses to town,” said Budish. “There is real power in health innovators coming together in a terrific space.”
Leveraging Funds to Support Start-ups and Small Businesses: As part of Budish’s economic development plan, the county invested $4.5 million to attract additional outside funding for start-ups and small businesses. Jumpstart, the non-profit managing the funds, has leveraged the county’s initial investment into $40 million across three funds; Evergreen Fund, NEXT Fund, and Focus Fund. These funds will help support startup and early stage tech and biomedical companies.
The Focus Fund; a newer fund and one of the largest funds in the United States invests seed capital in tech based companies led by African American, Latino, and female entrepreneurs. Research shows that nationally, of all the venture capital invested, only about 3% has gone to African American, Latino, and women entrepreneurs.
The county recently released another request for proposal for the Accelerated Growth Loan Program, focused on large loans up to $2 million for small businesses.
“Our innovation continuum is designed to create and grow jobs and businesses,” said Budish. “The county continues to look for ways to support businesses so that we can keep them here in our region. Innovation and the support for businesses from early stage and onward is crucial to a prosperous Cuyahoga County.”
Collaborative Workforce Development Incentive Program: Budish’s stated priorities are jobs, jobs, and jobs. He is focused on helping people get high quality jobs and announced some key initiatives to support this.
Budish announced that the county is adding incentives to its contracts with providers to encourage them to place county residents in jobs that pay $12 per hour or more and are full time.
The current county summer job program for 18 to 24 year olds will transform into an internship program, serving as the first step on the path to a career. This summer, the goal of the internship program is to place 30% of the 1,000 placements into private sector jobs – a significant increase.
“We need to change our definition of success. Up until now, workforce program success has been defined as helping someone get a minimum wage job with no future. We all claim success and move on,” said Budish. “But that’s not success. Success is a real path out of poverty, off public benefits, and on to a career.”
Jeane’ Holley, (216) 698-2544; (216) 640-0821; or jholley@cuyahogacounty.us
Cleveland, OH – Yesterday, Cuyahoga County Executive Armond Budish delivered his second State of the County address. His focus was on the role of the county in its new form. The county charter makes it clear that county government must promote economic well-being and prosperity throughout the county, and all of its residents, not just some, on a fair and equitable basis, through economic competitiveness, job creation, and economic growth.
“Our county has the unique ability to bring together the partners, leadership, team, resources, creativity, will and passion to create a prosperous place for all of our residents,” said Budish.
During his speech, Budish announced several key initiatives:
Universal Pre-K 2.0: Through a strong collaboration with both the philanthropic and private sector, the county has raised $22 million for the Universal Pre-K initiative. The funding will double the amount of 3-4 year olds throughout the county who will be able to attend high quality pre-k.
“We need to give our kids the right start in life. High quality pre‐k is transformative,” said Budish.
Comprehensive Reentry Services: Comprehensive Reentry Services is a voluntary pre and post release employment and job readiness program for male adult individuals serving court sentences with the County jail and housed at the Euclid Jail facility. Individuals who meet the criteria for participation in the program must engage in all aspects of working on their employment plan while at the Euclid Jail.
“People without adequate education or training to get a job, they commit a crime and go to jail, and then when they come out we expect that somehow, miraculously, they’ll be able to get a job and become productive. We need to make a change, to give those who want it a chance to make a change,” said Budish.
The Global Center for Health Innovation Rising Star Awards: The Rising Star Awards are designed to reward companies that represent the Global Center's vision as a beacon for engagement, connection and inspiration to innovate healthcare today and tomorrow, advance economic development, and create jobs in Northeast Ohio. Each Rising Star Silver and Bronze Award recipients will receive a one-year rent-free space in the Global Center's Business Showcase. The Rising Star Gold award winner will be awarded space in the Global Center Business Showcase and a $25,000 stipend for business development.
The Global Center for Health Innovation Rising Star Awards program is sponsored by a Presidential Grant from the Mt. Sinai Health Care Foundation and will be one of the country’s largest business plan competitions.
“The Global Center is becoming a magnet to attract the most exciting innovative and entrepreneurial new health care businesses to town,” said Budish. “There is real power in health innovators coming together in a terrific space.”
Leveraging Funds to Support Start-ups and Small Businesses: As part of Budish’s economic development plan, the county invested $4.5 million to attract additional outside funding for start-ups and small businesses. Jumpstart, the non-profit managing the funds, has leveraged the county’s initial investment into $40 million across three funds; Evergreen Fund, NEXT Fund, and Focus Fund. These funds will help support startup and early stage tech and biomedical companies.
The Focus Fund; a newer fund and one of the largest funds in the United States invests seed capital in tech based companies led by African American, Latino, and female entrepreneurs. Research shows that nationally, of all the venture capital invested, only about 3% has gone to African American, Latino, and women entrepreneurs.
The county recently released another request for proposal for the Accelerated Growth Loan Program, focused on large loans up to $2 million for small businesses.
“Our innovation continuum is designed to create and grow jobs and businesses,” said Budish. “The county continues to look for ways to support businesses so that we can keep them here in our region. Innovation and the support for businesses from early stage and onward is crucial to a prosperous Cuyahoga County.”
Collaborative Workforce Development Incentive Program: Budish’s stated priorities are jobs, jobs, and jobs. He is focused on helping people get high quality jobs and announced some key initiatives to support this.
Budish announced that the county is adding incentives to its contracts with providers to encourage them to place county residents in jobs that pay $12 per hour or more and are full time.
The current county summer job program for 18 to 24 year olds will transform into an internship program, serving as the first step on the path to a career. This summer, the goal of the internship program is to place 30% of the 1,000 placements into private sector jobs – a significant increase.
“We need to change our definition of success. Up until now, workforce program success has been defined as helping someone get a minimum wage job with no future. We all claim success and move on,” said Budish. “But that’s not success. Success is a real path out of poverty, off public benefits, and on to a career.”
