Elevate Greater Akron

ICYMI - We released the 3.0 iteration of our shared priorities this week! Elevate Greater Akron is not a singular plan for the region, it is a way of working together. Elevate Greater Akron is a true collaborative of business, government, civic leaders working together to advance shared priorities for shared prosperity. Learn more: elevategreaterakron.org Read more at https://lnkd.in/giiWJ-U8

Attention startups and small businesses - we're hosting a free office hours session on December 4 to help founders and owners better understand the new Beneficial Ownership Information filing requirements. Greater Akron Chamber City of Akron, Ohio County of Summit, Ohio Akron Urban League Elevate Greater Akron Downtown Akron Partnership

The world is changing. Greater Akron is ready. ?? Today, Elevate Greater Akron launched its new set of shared priorities. ?? Communities across the U.S. are in the midst of a massive restructuring. Layer on significant changes like new incoming leadership, transformational polymer industry investments, and a shifting downtown landscape, and it becomes clear - Greater Akron is at a flash point. How we respond now to these shifts will shape the next decade and beyond. Elevate Greater Akron is a collaborative of over a dozen government, business, and civic leaders working together, since 2018, to capitalize on opportunities in this rapidly changing world. Today, we are publicly launching our updated priorities that build on successes to-date while sharpening our focus for 2025 and beyond: 1?? Capture polymer growth opportunities in sustainability 2?? Prioritize inclusive economic growth??? 3?? Build a thriving, connected downtown Akron? 4?? Coordinate economic development intentionally focused on those already in the region? Read more at https://lnkd.in/giiWJ-U8 GAR Foundation Summit County Executive Ilene Shapiro Shammas Malik City of Akron, Ohio Greater Akron Chamber Bounce Innovation Hub ConxusNEO Downtown Akron Partnership Knight Foundation Akron Community Foundation Burton D. Morgan Foundation Akron Urban League Team NEO Stark State College United Way of Summit & Medina The University of Akron Fund for Our Economic Future #ElevateGreaterAkron #SharedProsperity https://lnkd.in/g9dg92_a

?? What an Incredible Day at the 3rd Annual Polymer Cluster Connectivity Conference (PC3)! ?? We are thrilled to share that this year's PC3 was a resounding success and brought together leaders from across the polymer industry, including manufacturers, suppliers, educators, and development partners, and even students from Barberton High School. A heartfelt THANK YOU to our inspiring speakers, generous sponsors, and engaged attendees for making this event possible. Your dedication and collaboration are driving innovation and ensuring a bright future for our region’s polymer industry. Together, we are shaping a shared vision and building a stronger, more connected industry! Speakers/Breakout Session facilitators: Erin Spring Mark Smale Raymond Somich II Steve Millard Brian Anderson Nicki Hershberger Rob McClenaghan Surendra Chawla Jean Barbato Hope Bell Sponsors & Partners: City of Akron, Ohio The Goodyear Tire & Rubber Company Parker Hannifin Akron-Canton Airport (CAK) Buckingham, Doolittle & Burroughs, LLC Great Work! Employment Services Co Kent State University RDAbbott NovationSi KeyBank Metis Construction Services, LLC Roetzel & Andress Smithers GAR Foundation Team NEO #PolymerIndustry #Innovation #PC3 #Collaboration #NortheastOhio

Did you know that diverse boards often lead to better decision-making? Learn why diversity matters and how the Women's Network Leadership Institute Board Leadership Directory can help develop your organization board: https://ow.ly/k34m50TON5H #Diversity #Inclusion #Leadership"

??Did You Know? ?? Akron is gaining attention as one of the best cities for job opportunities and quality of life in the US! According to a recent USA TODAY article, Akron stands out for its strong labor support, a pro-labor landscape that earned a 95/100 rating on Oxfam’s Best States to Work Index. Plus, with 12.5% of Ohio workers in unions, we’re ahead of the national average! https://ow.ly/o80350U5Aps Here are a few more reasons why Akron is on the rise: ?? Earnings Growth: Earnings rose 15% from 2021 to 2023. ?? Unemployment Recovery: A significant 3.8% decrease in unemployment since 2020. ?? Affordable Living: With typical rent at $1,142, Akron ranks 4th lowest in rent in the article compared to similar cities. Akron’s historical strength in manufacturing and innovation makes it a resilient city for professionals and families alike! #GreaterAkronChamber #JobOpportunities #WorkInAkron #AkronInnovation #LaborStrength

In The News | The equivalent to taking nearly 1 million cars off the road. The OECD estimates that greenhouse gas emissions from plastics will more than double between 2019 and 2060. Akron's Sustainable Polymers Tech Hub aims to slow the trajectory of those emissions from oil-based plastics, resulting in an overall reduction of 3.9M tons of carbon emissions per year. The hub was made possible by the CHIPS and Science Act, which poured billions of dollars across the country to spur tech manufacturing and innovation. See more from?Axios: https://bit.ly/48qXCtY #EDATechHubs #EconomicDevelopment #CHIPSandScienceAct #EconomicSustainability Greater Akron Chamber Polymer Industry Cluster The University of Akron

Bounce Innovation Hub’s third Beyond Startup workshop, “Building A Web Presence,” will be held on Wednesday, November 20, from 10:00 to 11:30 a.m. This workshop for established entrepreneurs will examine how to manage public perception of your business by developing a simple website targeted at potential customers, investors, or the public. Buy a website domain and build a professional website that you can update whenever you want using no-code web editing software. The focus will be generating a simple web presence that speaks to your target audience. Austin Kettner, a Bounce entrepreneur-in-residence co-founder of the web development firm Wonderkiln, will be your facilitator. Registration is now open. The first two Beyond Startup Workshops filled up quickly, so we suggest you register today! Link to register: https://lnkd.in/gEBMthN2

Let us know what you think! The 2024 Downtown Akron Survey is live and accepting responses through November 22, 2024. Please take 10-15 minutes to take the survey to help guide decisions for Downtown Akron Partnership’s work in downtown. Your opinions matter. Responses to the survey are only reported in the aggregate. You will have an option to enter your email address, but it is not required. For every 100 completed surveys with contact information added, DAP will draw one at random to receive a $50 e-gift card that can be used at any of 20+ downtown eateries, shops and venues. Take & share the survey: https://lnkd.in/gnrcUcX8 Explore the downtown Akron Dollars e-gift card: https://lnkd.in/eYVFnj_B Consider using Downtown Akron Dollars e-gift cards for employee rewards, holiday gifts, customer appreciation, welcome gifts, promotions, incentives, etc. Get access to reduced or waived fees for purchases over $1,000, plus direct assistance and a free Enterprise Account with business reporting. Sponsorship opportunities are also available. #downtownAkron #AkronOhio #Akron #AkronSurvey #Survey #TellUsWhatYouThink

Thank you Daniel Rice and Ohio & Erie Canalway Coalition for two wonderful tours of the soon-to-be completed Lock 3 Park! Lock 3 is nearing the completion of transformational renovations to create a beautiful year-round park - a destination for residents, workers, visitors, hikers, and bicyclists alike. Greater Akron Chamber members witnessed the progress up close and learned more about the exciting vision for downtown Akron’s premier public space. The new Lock 3 Park will feature a multi-oriented performance stage, ice skating rinks, beautiful greenery, and moveable seating. Downtown Akron is where we come together. This world-class park is another step toward creating a dense center city that drives the regional economy and benefits all of Greater Akron. #DowntownAkron #Lock3Park #ReimaginingTheCivicCommons