2020 Performance & Impact Report

Resilience and Recovery: The Northeast Ohio Region Progresses Despite the Pandemic

Team NEO Jobs Ohio
bill-koehler
Jody Berg

A message from our Leadership

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We Strengthen a Better Coordinated Regional Network to make new business happen

Team NEO’s ongoing engagement with our economic development partners, government agencies, businesses and communities is critical in the face of pandemic-related challenges. As one of only six network partners for JobsOhio, we connect companies across the 18 counties of the Northeast Ohio Region to state resources for job creation and retention, regional investments, and business growth.

The Northeast Ohio Region led the state in 2020 for new jobs committed in a single year, thanks to the collaborative efforts of Team NEO, JobsOhio, the Northeast Ohio Economic Development Network and companies.”

– J.P. Nauseef, JobsOhio President and CEO

By the

Numbers

2020

0
PROJECT WINS
0
NEW JOBS
$ 0
Million in payroll created
$ 0
Billion in capital investment

Since 2015

(through December 31, 2020)

0
PROJECT WINS
0
NEW JOBS
$ 0
Billion in payroll created
$ 0
Billion in capital investment
Gojo
Arlington
Carvana
Invacare
Diversified
Miller Plating
Ironhawk

Case Studies

Growing Companies Call Northeast Ohio Home

The Sherwin-Williams Company and Lordstown Motors Corp. Make Commitments to Expand

In 2020, through collaborative efforts with economic development partners, companies headquartered in the Northeast Ohio Region continued to grow and thrive here. They represent companies of all sizes, both new and established, across a wide range of industries.

See Case Studies
Innovation Clustera

We Advance Technology Adoption to make our economy more productive, resilient and globally competitive

The advantages of building regional innovation clusters and accelerating technology adoption were evident as manufacturers faced challenges brought on by the pandemic. Team NEO leveraged relationships with key decision-makers and influencers — plus our region’s assets in additive manufacturing, supply chain, health care and more — to address critical needs. Companies of all sizes stepped up to design, manufacture and donate personal protective equipment (PPE).

Case Studies

Advancing Technology Adoption to make our economy competitive

Team NEO leveraged relationships with key decision-makers and influencers — plus our region’s assets in additive manufacturing, supply chain, health care and more — to address critical needs. Companies of all sizes stepped up to design, manufacture and donate personal protective equipment (PPE).
See Case Studies

We Address the Talent Supply/Demand Gap by focusing on talent availability to attract new business investment

In 2020, Team NEO released the fourth edition of Aligning Opportunities, in partnership with Delta Dental and with the generous support of The Sherwin-Williams Company and Alliance Solutions Group. The report, which explores the talent supply/demand gap for entry-level jobs in Northeast Ohio, was released in September and is now being utilized by job training programs and higher education institutions like Baldwin Wallace University, the University of Akron, College Now Greater Cleveland, Cuyahoga Community College and Lorain County Community College to develop, enhance or modify their offerings — and plan for the future.

Team NEO introduced Misaligned Opportunities, a report that examines racial equity as it relates to labor force opportunities, to inform conversations and influence solutions that we as a region can implement to effect positive change. While it is early to realize the full impact of this data, new communication lines are open and we’re exploring opportunities with organizations such as Urban League of Greater Cleveland.

For strategic solutions to better prepare the emerging workforce for the Northeast Ohio Region’s in-demand jobs, Team NEO formed the Talent Development Council (TDC), comprised of educational and industry-leading professionals. This collaboration is bringing new programs — such as the Youngstown State University/IBM IT Workforce Accelerator apprentice training program — to life.

In 2021, the Talent Development Council will continue to focus on regional talent alignment opportunities through the development of a shared data framework to better understand regional talent pipelines. This shared data framework will allow us to better understand both the current pipeline of talent related to in-demand jobs, as well as the capacity for regional institutions and sector partnership to build deeper pipelines. It is our hope that a broader collective dashboard, representative of what each partner is committed to moving forward related to talent, can be a starting point for addressing a more comprehensive view of the need for in-demand jobs.

Aligning Opportunities
Delta Dental

In January, Team NEO, in partnership with Delta Dental, supported MentorInCLE Connect, College Now Greater Cleveland’s annual program that brings together college students and their mentors. Team NEO’s Jacob Duritsky, Vice President of Strategy and Research, gave the keynote address, sharing some of his college experiences. He encouraged students to think about in-demand career opportunities and, above all, to keep going.

Case Studies

Focus on emerging talent to build the talent pool pipeline.

In 2020, Team NEO, in partnership with Delta Dental, made significant efforts to connect with the emerging talent audience of 6th grade through undecided college students.

See Case Studies

We Grow a Pipeline of Competitive Sites to win more projects

A dynamic inventory of readily available sites is necessary to attract new business to the region. In collaboration with Team NEO’s RightSites Council, we identified and reviewed 43 of the most competitive sites in the Northeast Ohio Region and launched a landing page.

 

To inform the marketplace about how sites can be efficiently developed, we partnered with a local engineering firm to develop conceptual site plans for 10 sites.

 

In partnership with community stakeholders, Team NEO leveraged JobsOhio programs as part of our coordinated strategy to improve the Northeast Ohio Region’s site inventory:

0
Vibrant Community applications
0
Counties
0
Pre-project Planning applications

The Vibrant Community and Pre-Project Planning Programs support catalytic real estate development projects and provide technical assistance to prepare for future development. Team NEO supported and helped generate 18 Vibrant Community applications across 13 counties, and eight Pre-Project Planning applications across five counties.

0
Square feet of new industrial space
0
Acres available
The Ohio Site Inventory Program (OSIP) offers grants and low-interest loans for speculative site and building development projects to fill gaps in Ohio’s real estate inventory. Team NEO facilitated three sites in the region that were awarded OSIP support. These sites represent more than 650,000 square feet of new industrial space, with more than 95 acres available for future development.
0
Jobs created
$ 0
Million in payroll created
The Revitalization Program leveraged $1.1 billion in private sector investment. A total of 16 projects received $11.3 million in JobsOhio Revitalization program funds in 2020, resulting in 2,922 jobs created, and $179 million payroll created.
NEO Right Sites
Sites Ohio
6 Things

We Promote the Region and Network Performance to create more opportunity

To accelerate the pace of job growth, Team NEO markets the entire 18-county Northeast Ohio Region, drawing on its collective might. Team NEO quickly pivoted its marketing strategy at the onset of the pandemic to focus on businesses’ changing needs, as well as anticipated opportunities in the wake of the pandemic.

 

Team NEO also formed a Marketing Advisory Council (MAC) to guide the development and implementation of important initiatives. In 2021, the MAC will refresh Northeast Ohio’s economic development brand, rally regional stakeholders and influencers to support our collective promotional strategies, and drive performance, equity and accountability in this region’s marketing outcomes.

Case Study

Navigating the Next Normal

In 2020, as Ohio’s economy began to restart, Team NEO launched a multifaceted media campaign to demonstrate how our creative and informed solutions, based on research insights, talent and site expertise, as well as regional and state-level connections, can support organizations to meet the needs of our region’s “Next Normal.

See Case Study
Team NEO Network Partner

About Team NEO

Team NEO is a private, nonprofit economic development organization accelerating business growth and job creation throughout the 18 counties of the Northeast Ohio Region. As the designated JobsOhio Network Partner, we align and amplify local economic development efforts in the region’s 18-counties; we conduct research and data analysis to inform local conversations and influence solutions; we market the Northeast Ohio Region; and we work to increase access to jobs, education and training for the region’s 4.3 million people. We do this to build a more vibrant regional economy — one that is more talented, equitable, competitive, innovative, resilient and prosperous. For more information, visit teamneo.org.

Uses of Investments

0 %
Network coordination & business development transactions
0 %
Promoting the Northeast Ohio Region, Team NEO & the economic development system
0 %
Talent alignment & research
0 %
Emerging technology clusters
0 %
Priority sites & job hubs

Special thanks from Team NEO to our investors
Babcock
5/3
FirstEnergy
GAK
Aultman
Falls
Hylant
Huntington
CFA
Eaton
Medical Mutual
LCPA
Westfield
MCPC
Stark
United Healthcare
University of Akron
Tri-C
EY
Jobs Ohio
Delta Dental
Dominion
Kent State

We're here for you.

Whether you have questions or concerns about your business, or would like to be connected with helpful resources, Team NEO can help. Visit teamneo.org or talk to us at 216-363-5400.

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Team NEO County Map

Economic development partners across 18 counties of the Northeast Ohio Region

  • Ashland Area Economic Development
  • Columbiana County Port Authority
  • Erie County Economic Development Corporation
  • Geauga Growth Partnership, Inc.
  • Greater Akron Chamber
  • Greater Cleveland Partnership
  • Growth Partnership for Ashtabula County
  • Huron County Development Council
  • Lake County Ohio Port & Economic Development Authority
  • Medina County Economic Development Corporation
  • Portage Development Board
  • Richland Area Chamber & Economic Development
  • Stark Economic Development Board, Inc.
  • Tuscarawas Economic
    Development Corporation
  • Youngstown/Warren Regional Chamber
  • Wayne Economic Development Council
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bill-koehler

Bill Koehler

CEO, Team NEO

Jody Berg

Dr. Jodi Berg
President and CEO, Vitamix
Board Chairwoman, Team NEO

"Team NEO helped 100 Northeast Ohio manufacturing companies, including Vitamix, keep the supply chain going following the initial pandemic shutdowns. Team NEO and JobsOhio quickly connected companies with the governor’s office to discuss the safe restart of operations. Because of this swift action, 20,000 Ohioans were able to safely return to work — minimizing negative economic impacts on businesses and individuals.”

Dr. Jodi Berg – President and CEO, Vitamix

A Message From Our Leadership

The COVID-19 crisis stunned our country and our communities. As many struggled to deal with the pandemic’s early ramifications, Team NEO took action: we engaged with business leaders to identify pain points and immediate challenges, we developed solutions and strategies to continue moving forward, and, as the JobsOhio Network Partner for the Northeast Ohio Region, we leveraged our partnership to communicate local and regional needs to the state.

 

This early and ongoing intervention was critical. Despite significant challenges, the Northeast Ohio Region finished 2020 with the highest number of new jobs created in a single year since we started tracking regional economic indicators. This was due to continuous collaboration between Team NEO, JobsOhio, local partners and businesses.

 

In addition to job creation, new payroll and new capital investment, we achieved success in each of our five strategies, which focus on improving our regional competitiveness and encouraging more business investment in the Northeast Ohio Region:

Strengthen a Better Coordinated Regional Network

Advance Technology Adoption​

Address the Talent Supply / Demand Gap

Grow a Pipeline of Competitive Sites​

Promote the Region and Network Performance

There will be opportunity as we emerge from today’s crises. We look forward to collaborating with our partners – and to what we will collectively achieve – in 2021 and beyond. Together, we will make our region more talented, equitable, innovative, resilient and prosperous. Together, we will build a vibrant economy.

Sincerely,

Bill Koehler

Jodi Berg

Case Studies

Growing Companies Call Northeast Ohio Home

Sherwin Williams

Sherwin Williams

The Sherwin-Williams Company, the iconic brand that has been part of Northeast Ohio for 155 years, reaffirmed its commitment to the region, announcing that its world headquarters will remain in Cleveland, with plans to build a new global headquarters in downtown Cleveland and a new global R&D center in Brecksville. Combined, the two facilities will house more than 3,500 employees with room to accommodate significant future growth. The company plans to add a minimum of 400 jobs at the facilities over time. In addition, the project will spur thousands of additional construction jobs.

Lordstown

Lordstown Motors Corp. (LMC) committed to produce the Lordstown Endurance, the world’s first full-size, all-electric pickup truck in the Mahoning Valley. In 2020, LMC received Ohio Tax Credit Authority approval to support the hub motor and battery line. This line alone is expected to bring 1,570 high-tech jobs to the Mahoning Valley and surrounding communities. A cross-organizational team including the Ohio Development Services Agency, JobsOhio, Team NEO, the Youngstown/Warren Regional Chamber, the village of Lordstown and Youngstown State University, plus state and regional representatives, worked with LMC to help bring the project to fruition.

Lordstown
mask

Case Studies

We advance Technology Adoption to make our economy more productive, resilient and globally competitive

Eaton
thogus

Eaton and Thogus Collaborate to Produce 350,000 Face Shields

In times of need, people and businesses come together in meaningful and inspiring ways. When COVID-19 hit the U.S., there was an immediate acceleration in demand for personal protective equipment (PPE). Eaton and Thogus joined forces to produce 350,000 face shields for Ohio’s frontline workers. Working side-by-side with the Manufacturing Advocacy and Growth Network (MAGNET) and United Healthcare, Eaton designed a face shield providing comfortable extended wear and maximum facial protection. Then Team NEO helped connect Eaton with Thogus to collaborate on production efforts, and with JobsOhio, which ultimately purchased the entire supply of face shields to benefit Ohio health care workers.

Nottingham Spirk

To further enhance the Northeast Ohio Region’s industrial legacy and commitment to advanced manufacturing transformation, Nottingham Spirk, in partnership with Ernst & Young, announced it will create a 60,000-square-foot EY-Nottingham Spirk innovation center at its current facility in Cleveland’s University Circle area. The project is being assisted by a $1.5 million JobsOhio Research and Development Center Grant.


The Innovation Hub will guide manufacturing leaders along the journey to the next generation of technology through hands-on physical and virtual experiences utilizing Industry 4.0, which employs the Industrial Internet of Things (IIoT) connected technology.


Nottingham Spirk and Ernst & Young worked closely with JobsOhio and Team NEO to bring the project and $3.9 million investment to the University Circle area.

 

The partnership that will establish the EY-Nottingham Spirk Innovation Hub combines Nottingham Spirk’s Vertical Innovation™ disciplines with EY business model, digital, manufacturing and EY wavespace™ offerings. Opening of the facility is planned for spring 2021.

Nottingham Spirk
EY

Case Studies

Focus on emerging talent to build the talent pool pipeline.

Aligning Opportunities
In 2020, Team NEO, in partnership with Delta Dental, made significant efforts to connect with the emerging talent audience of 6th grade through undecided college students. We communicated content from Aligning Opportunities through entities such as College Now of Greater Cleveland, Junior Achievement of Greater Cleveland, Inc., Lorain County Community College, Mahoning County Educational Services Center, Greater Cleveland Partnership, RITE, the Cleveland IT sector partnership and Rhodes High School.

To reach this audience in the midst of social distancing constraints, we launched an emerging talent web page with videos featuring the Northeast Ohio Region’s young professionals talking about in-demand jobs. The Sherwin-Williams Company, GE Lighting, Cleveland Clinic, MCPc, The Technology House, Vitamix, Swagelok, Metro Health, IBM, and more, showcased employees for this effort.

In partnership with Rhodes High School, Team NEO also produced “Connect Your Passions to Career Opportunities,” a video demonstrating how your passions can lead to an in-demand career. This online content allows educators and career counselors working in a virtual environment to utilize Team NEO’s talent supply/demand data to inform conversations with students.

Case Study

Navigating the next normal.

In 2020, as Ohio’s economy began to restart, Team NEO launched a multifaceted media campaign to demonstrate how our creative and informed solutions, based on research insights, talent and site expertise, as well as regional and state-level connections, can support organizations to meet the needs of our region’s “Next Normal.”


The Next Normal campaign leveraged local television, print, digital and social advertising with a clear message: There will be opportunities in the wake of COVID-19, and Team NEO will be there to ensure we’re working together to maximize the region’s — and each individual company’s — potential.

Team NEO Jobs Ohio

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