One way NEO community leaders are revolutionizing life in East Cleveland is helping bridge the digital divide. With the coordination of Case, Cleveland State and REALNEO, NEO businesses are donating used computers and volunteering assistance to insure each houshold in the area has at least one personal computer, a variety of software, and access to the Internet. Some regional businesses have already pledged hardware and the first computers will be distributed before the end of 2004.

The National Child Care Information Center website contains a wealth of information for NEO about the economic impact of child care. In recent years, researchers and policy-makers have begun to recognize the important contributions the child care sector makes to the regional economy in both the short and long term. Across the country, states and localities are using regional economic analysis to measure the economic contributions of the child care sector. Click here to find a sample of publications and organizations that have information about the economic impact of child care on state, local, regional, and national economies.

The
City Club of Cleveland invites you to join  us at
The Holiday Annual Meeting
and Open House

Wednesday, December 1, 2004
from 4
to 8 pm.

Complimentary hors d'oeuvres
and holiday libations. Attend
the Open House and receive a special discount to become a member of The City
Club of Cleveland. 

Location

Facing the embarrassment of being rated the most impoverished large city in America, Cleveland community leaders became vocal looking for solutions. The following NYTimes editorial indicates we stand out in thinking about this issue at all, as 12 million American families are largely ignored in their struggles for enough to eat. Being ranked worst in poverty drove us to some higher consciousness, offering us the opportunity to address serious problems, if we expand the dialogue and act on good words. Have you thought about our chronic poverty lately? Thanksgiving is an excellent day to talk about that, so we may do more for those who are suffering before the new year.

Highlighting the need for a fresh perspective on childcare, Elizabeth Aldred states, "The availability and affordability of high-quality childcare is an economic development issue, an educational issue, and a human services issue. It has both immediate and long-term impacts on schools and employers, as well as on families and the communities in which they live. And if we continue to ignore its importance, we will pay the economic and educational price." Read this article, Childcare solutions require collaboration, by Elizabeth Aldred.

Location

Processed and industry-grown food harm body
and Earth, and most supposedly fresh food travels over 1,500 miles to reach us,
at great harm to the environment. Enlightened NEO shoppers seek outlets for eco-friendly
food - ideally organic and locally grown. While our choices are limited, the
Champions below work untiringly to improve our lot. Support them, and help seed
sustainable developments in the food "industry" for a healthier
future for all. You can support the *winner* by shopping at the West Side
Market - their stand is in the short wing of the produce stand, by the flowers
- support all these champions, thank them, and spread the word!

Over the past day or so, I've been having an interesting e-mail exchange with my colleagues, Mark Chupp at CSU and David Cooperrider at Case. We are exploring what the next steps will be for our Universities Collaborative.

Earlier in 2004, Peter Lewis offered to provide funding for a proposal to improve Northeast Ohio. Not that he hasn't already done his share - CEO of Progressive Insurance, Peter employs many people in the region, has been a major contributor to our arts and social program, and literally gave us the region's finest landmark building - the Gehry at University Circle - he has offered to do more. Unfortunately, on 11/16/04, Peter explained to area leaders that the proposals he received for the community were not sufficient. Rather than complain about Peter not funding proposals his wisdom rejects, REALNEO is getting the entire community involved to develop for and with Peter solutions that will lead to sustainable development for the region. Add pages to this book with your proposals, and comment on others - no whining... just winning!

A book of ideas, responding to Peter Lewis' request for proposals and continuing generosity in offering to help fund the future development of Northeast Ohio. Please add your proposals and build on others here.

Ah Ha - a moment of revelation. Here, ah ha is easily realized appreciating how many incredible people there are in NEO working to make this a sustainable place - a community at least as good for the next generation as for today. I started to appreciate this ah ha at the recent Wind Power Conference, but the point was really driven home at the Entrepreneurs For Sustainability (E4S) "Celebrating the Champions" meeting, where scores of NEO's truly great "entrepreneurs" recognized eight of their leaders - individuals who take risks, follow their good hearts, and daily make NEO a better place for today and the future. How often do you experience such an ah ha moment? Join E4S or just attend their next monthly meeting and you shall.

Developing a sustainable community, defined by the UN as "Development that meets the needs of the present without compromising the ability of future generations to meet their own needs". How we may accomplish this for future generations of NEO is developing here!

My thanks
to Ed Morrison and Betsey Merkel of REI for leading a vibrant discussion last Tuesday@REI
on the importance of international human capital (students, entrepreneurs,
knowledge workers, venture capitalists, etc.) to the future of NE Ohio. I am
pleased by their further interest in a potential collaboration between CASE/REI
and CSU/URBAN AFFAIRS COLLEGE in holding a national conference/workshop
entitled: â€œAttraction, Integration,
Retention of International Talent to Post-Industrial, Depopulating Cities.�

Regarding
this issue, Harvard Business Review and American Demographics Magazine this
month feature articles by/about Richard Florida who argues that nations and
regions that do the best job in attracting international talent (the best minds
the world has to offer, and very mobile) will prosper in the new global
market. 

The First Annual Cleveland Institute of Art Design Summit
FREE AND OPEN TO
THE PUBLIC

What I Learned From School

Location

Sponsored by:
The City Club of Cleveland
Description:
In partnership with The Hunger Project.

Location

Bravo to Ed Morrison and Norm Roulet for accelerating change. 

Case's Center for Regional Economic Issues (REI) has lead a movement in Northeast Ohio called "Making Change", and this is where related links, content and insight post on REALNEO.

Link to Preliminary Attendee List

Please go to this link to register with REALNEO for updates

1:00 – 2:00 -Close of Seminar - Networking

Comments from this session - Overview - post your comments below 

12:45-1:00 Next steps - 15 minutes

Work group reports, wrap-up and next steps

Comments from this session - Overview - post your comments below 

12:00 – 12:45 Panel Discussion - 45 minutes
Moderator: Ed Morrison

During lunch Ed Morrison led a panel discussion where he read to the panel questions/issued by the break-out groups for their feedback 

10:00-11:45 Applications 3: Sustainable Business Development

Assistant passes out participant folders

Moderator provides small group introductory comments and orientation - 10 minutes

10:00-11:45 Applications 2: Inner City Prosperity

Assistant passes out participant folders

Moderator provides small group introductory comments and orientation - 10 minutes

10:00-11:45 Applications 1: Creative Arts & Industries

Assistant passes out participant folders

Moderator provides small group introductory comments and orientation - 10 minutes

8:30-9:45 Learning - 1 hour, 15 minutes

Seminar on open source economic development

• Ed Morrison - Universities Collaborative
  
• Valdis Krebs – Social Network Mapping
  
• Laszlo Kozmon – Cooperative Processes
  
• June Holley - Civic Entrepreneurial Networks
  
• Jack Ricchiuto - Appreciative Leadership

Comments from this session - Overview - post your comments below

PANELIST 1: Valdis Krebs