Executive Ronayne will deliver his speech to a sold-out City Club forum

CUYAHOGA COUNTY, OH – Cuyahoga County is leading the way. That’s the theme of Cuyahoga County Executive Chris Ronayne’s second State of the County, hosted by The City Club of Cleveland.

On Thursday, September 5, Executive Ronayne will address a sold-out crowd of elected officials, County leaders, community partners, supporters, and residents in the Huntington Convention Center’s new atrium ballroom. His speech will reflect on his achievements, address challenges, and outline a vision for the future of Cuyahoga County. His accomplishments include securing funding to improve the health and well-being of our children, expanding access to affordable housing, taking guns off the streets, and developing initiatives to boost our economy.

“We have accomplished a great deal in the past year, but there is much more work to do,” said Cuyahoga County Executive Chris Ronayne. “Our goal is to build a stronger, more inclusive community where every resident has the opportunity for success.”

CHILD WELLNESS CAMPUS: Executive Ronayne is poised to announce Medical Mutual has made the single largest gift to date for the Child Wellness Campus, a vital project that will provide a safe place for our children and teens to stay while receiving treatment and family support services. Thanks to this generous contribution, the County and The Centers, a trusted children’s services nonprofit, have closed the fundraising gap to less than $4 million to complete this $14 million project.

“Medical Mutual is honored to be a part of the Cuyahoga County Child Wellness Campus,” said Christine Taylor, Director of Community Affairs at Medical Mutual. “Our support for this project reflects our deep commitment to the health and well-being of our entire community, especially the most vulnerable among us. Every child deserves a safe, nurturing environment to thrive, and we are proud to play a part in making that a reality in Cuyahoga County.”

Earlier this summer, the state legislature awarded $1.5 million to the project.

The Child Wellness Campus will be a place of dignity and support for our children, complete with classrooms, a gym, and outdoor spaces. “Cuyahoga County is building a model that has already received statewide attention and will soon become a national model to serve children and families,” adds Executive Ronayne.

AFFORDABLE HOUSING FUND: Every resident should have a place to call home; a new affordable housing initiative will make that a reality. During the State of the County, Executive Ronayne will announce the creation of an Affordable Housing Fund with $3 million in seed funding. The Cuyahoga County Department of Housing and Community Development will leverage those dollars to raise more funds to address gaps in the current housing ecosystem, including fix-up funds for homeowners and investments in modular homes to build the next generation of affordable housing.

In addition to the Affordable Housing Fund, our Heritage Home Program is helping homeowners reinvest in older and classic homes across Cuyahoga County. In the last year, the County facilitated 222 low-interest loans worth $10 million in home improvements for our residents.

GUN VIOLENCE: Another top priority for the Ronayne Administration is making our communities safer. Executive Ronayne, in partnership with the Cuyahoga County Sheriff’s Department, is tackling gun violence that threatens lives and creates fear in our neighborhoods. In the last year, the Downtown Safety Patrol has made dozens of felony arrests and has seized 122 illegally possessed firearms. Cuyahoga County’s partnership with the Northeast Ohio Crime Gun Intelligence Center has resulted in the seizure of more than 3,000 fentanyl pills and another 84 guns. During the State of the County, Executive Ronayne will announce plans to work with County Council to create an action plan to take more guns off the street and stop violence before it starts.

“Gun violence is a public health crisis,” proclaims Executive Ronayne. “Reducing gun violence requires collaboration, compassion, and commitment from all of us. We will continue to work closely with community leaders, organizations, and residents to find effective solutions that protect our communities and create a safer, more peaceful environment for everyone.”

FRESH WATER INSTITUTE: In partnership with Teaching Place and See You at the Top, the Fresh Water Institute Fellowship program will launch this Fall. The fellowship program will have specialized curriculum focused on urban water cycles, the Great Lakes, and issues surrounding water as an essential resource. Each year, 30 high school students will participate in eight months of after-school programing and a two-week intensive summer program based at the Foundry.

The Fresh Water Institute has three pillars:

Education and Research: The Fresh Water Institute will inspire learners and explorers to understand the environmental impact of our waterways.

Advocacy and Access: The government's role in protecting our natural resources is critical. The Fresh Water Institute will convene community partners to craft a shared agenda to advance policies affecting freshwater development and access.

Economic Development: The Fresh Water Institute will focus on creating a blueprint to attract freshwater-dependent industries to Cuyahoga County and create water-focused jobs to boost our economy and workforce.

Thanks to the Cleveland Foundation and Congresswoman Shontel Brown for funding this important initiative. Other community partners include Cleveland Water Alliance, Northeast Ohio Regional Sewer District, Davis Aerospace and Maritime High School, the Great Lakes Science Center, Flats Forward, the Port of Cleveland, and Canalway Partners.

MUSIC TASK FORCE: Much like our region’s fresh water, live music is a booming industry in Cuyahoga County. Thousands of jobs are linked to our decades-long efforts to build a vibrant music scene. Today, the Ronayne Administration will announce plans to establish a Music and Entertainment Task Force. This task force will assess the creation of a Music Commission to support live music and entertainment in Cuyahoga County. Like the impact of the Greater Cleveland Film Commission on our film industry, a Music Commission could further bolster the role of music and entertainment as an economic driver.

WELCOME CENTER: From jobs to growth, Cuyahoga County welcomes all to our community. The Cuyahoga County Welcome Center opened in February and has served more than 2,000 immigrants, refugees, and newcomers from all over the world. Working with our partners at Re:Source Cleveland, Smart Development, Nueva Luz, Ohio Means Jobs, the Legal Aid Society of Cleveland, and Global Cleveland, the Welcome Center has connected newcomers to resources, healthcare, and jobs.

GREAT ESTATES: By popular demand, Cuyahoga County announces the return of the Great Estates Program. Starting this Fall, the County’s Fiscal Team will visit select communities to help our residents avoid unnecessary costs and delays in settling an estate. The Great Estates Program provides guidance and documents for real estate, bank accounts, motor vehicles, and other personal property to ensure that assets are passed directly to the beneficiary intended.

“It will take transparency, collaboration, and action to drive positive change in Cuyahoga County,” remarks Executive Ronayne. “The administration is committed to working with our residents, community leaders, and partners to address the issues that matter most – ensuring safety, expanding opportunities, and improving quality of life.”

The State of the County will be livestreamed at 4:00 p.m. at cityclub.org and broadcast on 89.7 WKSU Ideastream Public Media. No registration is required for livestream viewers.

Read the entire speech. To learn more about Executive Ronayne’s priorities, visit cuyahogacounty.gov.

Photo Gallery from the event. Courtesy Cuyahoga County Communications.