CLASS OF 2009 VISITS CINCINNATI IN JULYLeadership Ohio Class of 2009, July 2009 -- Economic Development
The first day began by visiting Dan Hurley, Executive Director, Leadership Cincinnati at the Cincinnati Chamber of Commerce. The Chamber is located in Carew Tower, the tallest building in Cincinnati. The class climbed to the roof and observation deck for an overview of Cincinnati. The weather cooperated and the class could see the downtown area, over the river into Kentucky and the neighborhood known as Over-the-Rhine. The class returned to the Chamber and heard from Myrita Craig, Executive Director, Agenda 360, a regional action plan. The mission of this initiative is to transform Cincinnati USA into a leading metropolitan region for talent, jobs and economic opportunity for all who call the region home by the year 2020. As this agenda emerges, it will be aligned with similar initiatives already well developed in Northern Kentucky (Vision 2015) and Southeast Indiana to form a comprehensive regional agenda for the Tri-State region. The class then heard from one of their own classmates, Dr. Warren Foster, who is an Inclusion Consultant for Cincinnati Public Schools Construction. Dr. Foster explained how he provided assistance to CPS in receiving bids and awarding construction contracts to more minority owned businesses and women owned businesses. After lunch the class headed to Fountain Square. We were met by Kelly Leon, VP of Communications and Community Relations and Bill Donabedian, Managing Director of Fountain Square. This central Cincinnati location has undergone a rebirth and now offers almost daily activities which have sustained and grown local restaurants and other retail. It has kept people in downtown to enjoy the activities and create a vibrant and thriving downtown. Next the class headed to Over-the-Rhine and learned about Cincinnati Center City Development Corporation or better known as 3CDC. This private, non-profit corporation formed in July 2003 as part of the overall system to increase the effectiveness and efficiency of development activities in the city of Cincinnati. The formation of 3CDC was recommended by a City of Cincinnati Economic Development Task Force. Its operations are funded privately, through business contributions as well as support from foundations and other philanthropic sources. The staff of 3CDC showed the class two new condominium units built from existing buildings that were once vacant and rundown. Many of the units are priced for first-time home owners and offer quality amenities close to downtown. The day ended with a visit by Mary Ronan, Superintendent, Cincinnati Public Schools and Ms. Norma Petersen, Chair Fundraising for SCPA who explained about the public/private partnership formed to construct a new CPS School for the Creative and Performing Arts. The class then toured the school which is currently under construction and due to open in March 2010. Saturday was spent at the National Underground Railroad Freedom Center. The group heard from two successful businessmen in Cincinnati who overcame poverty and hardship. Both men have widely different stories, with the common thread of working hard and now giving back. First the class heard from Joe Mellencamp, (yes, John’s brother), President, Beacon Electric and Majid Samarghandi, President, Triton Services. The end of the day was a workshop on Freedom Songs which were inspired by and created during the Civil Rights Movement and draw from the tradition of African-American spirituals. |
NEWS!