there is an advantage to getting communication solutions

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There is an advantage to getting communication solutions from the people who get to know the ins and outs of your business. You first. We begin by putting your business first. Our local representatives get to know the ins and outs of your business by working with you to understand your challenges. Next, we conduct a complete evaluation of your existing communications services. The technology follows. Only then do we tailor our award-winning Internet, Phone and Cable TV solutions specifically for your business — solutions that can help your company achieve greater productivity with low operating costs. Now that is reason to celebrate. Give your business the kind of advantage it deserves. At Time Warner Cable Business Class, we have a different approach to providing communication solutions. You fi rst. The technology follows. Call 1.866.TWC.4BIZ today for a FREE evaluation of your services INTERNET I PHONE I CABLE TV Products and services not available in all areas. Some restrictions apply. Subject to change without notice. Call for details. ©2009 Time Warner Cable.

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Page 1: There is an advantage to getting communication solutions

There is an advantage to getting communication solutions from the people who get to know the ins and outs of your business.

You fi rst.We begin by putting your business fi rst. Our local representatives get to know the ins and outs of your business by working with you to understand your challenges.

Next, we conduct a complete evaluation of your existing communications services.

The technology follows.Only then do we tailor our award-winning Internet, Phone and Cable TV solutions specifi cally for your business — solutions that can help your company achieve greater productivity with low operating costs. Now that is reason to celebrate.

Give your business the kind of advantage it deserves.

At Time Warner Cable Business Class, we have a different approach to providing communication solutions.

You fi rst. The technology follows.

Call 1.866.TWC.4BIZ today for a FREE evaluation of your services

INTERNET I PHONE I CABLE TV

Products and services not available in all areas. Some restrictions apply. Subject to change without notice. Call for details. ©2009 Time Warner Cable.

20090223-NEWS--13-NAT-CCI-CL_-- 2/19/2009 9:27 AM Page 1

Page 2: There is an advantage to getting communication solutions

1144 CRAIN’S CLEVELAND BUSINESS WWW.CRAINSCLEVELAND.COM FEBRUARY 23-MARCH 1, 2009

CRESCO real estate

NORTECH AND CRAIN’S CLEVELAND BUSINESSSALUTE OUR PARTNER SPONSORS FOR

THEIR CONTRIBUTION TO THE2009 NORTECH INNOVATION AWARDS PROGRAM

In partnership with:

Your support of Northeast Ohio’s world-class technology field

plays a vital role in our region’s economic future.

WWW.CRAINSCLEVELAND.COM/MARKETING/NORTECHIA.HTML

NEOUCOM in partnership with Kent State University

Check out Crain’s complete editorialand event coverage at:

DATA CENTER

EXPANSIONSWarren orthodontist Dr. Roy Scottis opening a second office, located inthe new Summa Health Building in Hudson. The opening is tentativelyscheduled for mid-to-late March.Independence-based recruitment firmEverstaff Professional Serviceshas opened its third Ohio office, inSolon, increasing to six its number

of offices. In addition, Everstaff president Danny Spitz said in anews release the company is planning to open a Mentor office inthe second quarter of this year.

Data Center is a periodic feature inCrain’s. E-mail your acquisitions, anniversaries, expansions, moves,new services or startups to Joel Hammond at [email protected].

TAX LIENSThe Internal Revenue Service filed taxliens against the following businessesin the Cuyahoga County Recorder’sOffice. The IRS files a tax lien to protect the interests of the federalgovernment. The lien is a public notice to creditors that the governmenthas a claim against a company’sproperty. Liens reported here are$5,000 and higher. Dates listed arethe dates the documents were filed inthe Recorder’s Office.

LIENS FILEDBelgrave Insurance Agency Inc.7251 Engle Road, Suite 206, Middleburg HeightsID: 34-1303657Date filed: Dec. 8, 2008Type: Unemployment, employer’swithholdingAmount: $229,332

WEEMS School LLC2280 Professor Ave., ClevelandID: 20-1365590Date filed: Dec. 15, 2008Type: Unemployment, employer’swithholdingAmount: $141,320

Kordiac Plumbing Co.11010 Union Ave., ClevelandID: 34-1808496Date filed: Dec. 31, 2008Type: Employer’s withholdingAmount: $136,649

Jim Kocon Construction Inc.25611 Timber Cove, North OlmstedID: 83-0477957Date filed: Dec. 1, 2008Type: Employer’s annual employment tax

Amount: $129,658

Antioch Development Corp.8869 Cedar Ave., ClevelandID: 36-4497121Date filed: Dec. 10, 2008Type: Employer’s withholding, NAAmount: $114,477

Hal-Mark Associates Inc.9697 Brookpark Road, ParmaID: 34-1770173Date filed: Dec. 10, 2008Type: Unemployment, employer’swithholdingAmount: $100,809

Eagle Interiors Inc.P.O. Box 16971, Rocky RiverID: 71-0939291Date filed: Dec. 10, 2008Type: Employer’s withholdingAmount: $84,683

Gyorky Plumbing & Heating Co.13920 Enterprise Ave., ClevelandID: 34-1023037Date filed: Dec. 22, 2008Type: Unemployment, employer’swithholdingAmount: $74,689

Beachwood Child Development Inc.22035 Chagrin Blvd., BeachwoodID: 26-0386211Date filed: Dec. 8, 2008Type: Employer’s withholdingAmount: $35,732

Wilson Contracting Co.P.O. Box 22912, BeachwoodID: 31-1507763Date filed: Dec. 8, 2008Type: Unemployment, employer’swithholding

Amount: $29,763

CMC & M Inc.17109 S. Miles Road, ClevelandID: 34-1358167Date filed: Dec. 8, 2008Type: Failure to file complete return, unemployment, employer’s withholdingAmount: $29,264

Norak Inc.7675 Pinecrest Lane, GlenwillowID: 20-4547395Date filed: Dec, 10, 2008Type: Employer’s withholdingAmount: $28,195

Treasure Box Inc.12117 Berea Road, ClevelandID: 62-1824821Date filed: Dec. 22, 2008Type: Employer’s withholdingAmount: $26,775

GLCC Inc.8101 Broadway Ave., ClevelandID: 26-1093857Date filed: Dec. 31, 2008Type: Employer’s withholdingAmount: $23,582

Accurate Plating Co.P.O. Box 603277, ClevelandID: 34-1015259Date filed: Dec. 22, 2008Type: Corporate incomeAmount: $21,761

Anegada LLC48 Northfield Road, BedfordID: 20-1703791Date filed: Dec. 1, 2008Type: Employer’s withholdingAmount: $21,405

20090223-NEWS--14-NAT-CCI-CL_-- 2/19/2009 11:47 AM Page 1

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CORRIDORS OF COMMERCE

FEBRUARY 23-MARCH 1, 2009 CRAIN’S CLEVELAND BUSINESS 15

As some areas emerge with growth, others seek new identityLorain, for example, hopes to attract alternative energy firmsprizes, the kind that give a localeits business identity, the kind ofsuccesses that other, older inter-state arteries have won over recentdecades.

Take the communities southalong I-77, for example: White-col-lar workers fill up dozens of officebuildings between Independenceand Fairlawn in Summit County.To the east, Lake County has builta resilient core of business and industrial tenants with bright 21st

century prospects, companies

such as Avery Dennison Corp.,FirstEnergy Corp., Lubrizol Corp.,Progressive Corp. and Steris Corp.

Beyond the development effortsof western I-90 Cuyahoga Countycities such as Westlake, the commu-nities in eastern Lorain County,which relied on the steel and autoindustries for economic achievementin the last century, still are lookingfor the businesses that will returntheir economies to an even keel.

Community leaders in the cityof Lorain and other Lorain County

communities are working hard tofind the industries that will givetheir cities a strong identity and asecure economic base.

So far, the efforts have been atthe far edges of that economicbase:

■ The Lake Erie Crushers base-ball team will open its first seasonin June at the new, 5,000-seat stadium built by the city of Avon atI-90 and state Route 611.

■ Three and one-half miles to theeast, at Nagle Road, a new freeway

interchange has been approved thatis expected to bring new retail devel-opment from the Richard E. JacobsGroup along with a 120,000-square-foot Cleveland Clinic family healthcenter and a 61,000-square-foot ambulatory surgery center that willemploy 500 people.

■ And, of course, there is CrockerPark, the upscale lifestyle shoppingcenter at the Crocker Road inter-change in Westlake.

Getting to its core Despite these gains, this I-90

corridor still lacks a strong business

By JAY [email protected]

minor league stadium. A new freeway inter-change.

A Cleveland Clinichealth center.

An upscale shopping center.The communities west of Cleve-

land along Interstate 90, especiallyAvon and Westlake, have won theirshare of development prizes latelythanks in large part to the ribbon ofconcrete that runs through thearea.

But those aren’t the really big

A

See CORE Page 18

LEGEND

The road ahead PAGE 15

Commerce PAGE 16

Population PAGE 16

Infrastructure PAGE 17

UPCOMING CORRIDORS OF COMMERCE SECTIONS

I-71 South JUNE 1

I-271 AUG. 31

I-76 NOV. 2

A CLOSER LOOKAT THE WEST SIDE

From Lakewood to Lorain, communities along I-90 add to framework of region’s economy

KRISTEN WILSON

f you build it, they will come — and in NortheastOhio, that is exactly the case for communities situated near the area’s main interstates.

The easy access afforded by the area’s thoroughfares has contributed to the development ofbusinesses and communities along the routes.

This section — which is the first in a series of four examining Northeast Ohio’s “corridors of commerce” — looks at the infrastructure, commerce and population that can be found within I-90 West

communities, as well as what might be on the roadahead.

I

20090223-NEWS--15-NAT-CCI-CL_-- 2/19/2009 3:46 PM Page 1

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16 CRAIN’S CLEVELAND BUSINESS WWW.CRAINSCLEVELAND.COM FEBRUARY 23-MARCH 1, 2009

Don “Chili” Pesta, owner of Chili’s Fire Pit is doing smokin’ hot business on Ohio’s North Coast. He and wife Beckie grow and process their own peppers and carry more than 600 varieties of hot sauce. Their spicy dips and salsas are so good that fiery food fans flock from Pittsburgh to St. Louis to sample Chili’s peppery magic.

Maybe only a hot spot like Mentor, Ohio, could support a growing, thriving business like Don’s. To see how a prosperous town in a perfect location can light a fire under your business, call Tom Thielman, Mentor Economic Development Administrator 440.974.5739.

Visit cityofmentor.com

SM

SAWMILL CREEK RESORTMeetings on Lake Erie

sawmillcreek.com

Great Regional Value 50,000 s.f. Function Space

Professional Planning Trade Shows

Sandusky/Huron, OH 1-800-729-6455

CORRIDORSOFCOMMERCE

Wave of developmentebbs, yet potentialfor growth remainsResidential, commercial mix distinguisheseach suburb within evolving NE Ohio regionBy KATHY AMES [email protected]

West Side commercial development has exploded over the lasttwo decades, but it has

since tapered off and probablywon’t reach the same level ofgrowth for some time, local real estate observers say.

The West Side retail movementfollowed a period of populationgrowth in the area, particularlyfrom the mid- to late 1990s to thisdecade.

Lifestyle centers, such as West-lake’s Crocker Park, and big-boxstores at developments like AvonCommons and Avon Crossing weredeveloped and designed to offerresidents amenities close to home.

The West Side business mix is diverse and has evolved with thechanging demographics and land-scapes among communities inwestern Cuyahoga and eastern Lorain counties. West Side busi-nesses tend to be smaller, privatelyheld firms, in contrast to the EastSide, which tends to have larger,publicly traded firms, real estateobservers say.

“You have a whole bunch of $10million-and-under small businesseson the West Side, and that’s veryimportant,” said Ned Hill, econo-mist and professor of economic development at Cleveland StateUniversity’s Maxine GoodmanLevin College of Urban Affairs.

Still, the West Side has its shareof publicly traded companies, withWestlake-based Nordson Corp., a manufacturer of adhesives, coatings and sealing applicators;Avon Lake’s PolyOne, a provider

at Cleveland-based ChartwellGroup.

“These areas grew as the growthcame,” he said. “Westlake, for example, planned before thegrowth came,” with the communityblending residential, commercialand industrial into its develop-ment plan.

The explosive West Side residen-tial and commercial developmenthas receded, Mr. Lydon said, butthat doesn’t mean the area isoverdeveloped, he said.

“There was a lot of pent-up demand during the last economicboom of the ’90s,” he said. “Devel-opment will be slow” for the western regions, includingAmherst and Lorain, until the next

economic boom hits.Thinking down the road, it will

be another decade, at least, beforeMr. Lydon expects markets in Lorain and Amherst to experiencea similar bulge in residential andcommercial development that the“power centers” in Avon and West-lake have experienced.

Similarly, Brad Kowit, partner ofCleveland-based Kowit & PassovReal Estate Group, said it’s hard toproject how commercial and resi-dential development will evolve forSheffield, Sheffield Lake andAmherst.

“I can see more retail coming toAmherst,” he said. “Sheffield’s alittle built-out from the retailstandpoint.” ■

By KATHY AMES [email protected]

AWest Side population shiftmay be behind the gainsand losses in residents ofwestern Cuyahoga and

eastern Lorain counties.“Once a West Sider, always a

West Sider,” quipped Brad Kowit,partner of Cleveland-based Kowit &Passov Real Estate Group.

Much of the population move-ment comes from first-time home-buyers who have moved from Lake-wood, Fairview Park and Clevelandto “hot-pocket” areas such as Avonor Westlake because of better homevalues, lower taxes, amenities andgood schools, said Todd Reinart,sales manager of Howard HannaReal Estate Services in Westlake.

The West Side residential population typically is composed ofdual-income professionals withyoung families, he said.

“Between 2002 and 2006, themarket was so hot, new constructionwent like gangbusters out in Avon,Avon Lake and North Ridgeville,”Mr. Reinart said. “People were leaving Cleveland because of thelower cost of living and were able toget a newer and bigger house.”

For instance, Avon and AvonLake in Lorain County had big population gains from 2000 to 2007.Avon saw its population rise 46%from 11,446 to 16,717 in that period, while Avon Lake grew 30%,from 18,145 to 23,668 residents.

At the same time, other westernCuyahoga County communitiessuch as Bay Village, Lakewood andRocky River experienced single-digitpercentage drops in population between 2000 and 2007, accordingto the U.S. Census Bureau.

The more established communi-ties like Bay Village, Rocky River andLakewood, however, continue to re-develop by renovating old buildingsand homes because they are mostlybuilt-out, Mr. Kowit said.

The western suburbs aren’t necessarily bedroom communities,either. Many West Side tenants andprincipals also work close to wherethey live, said Don Lydon, vicepresident of office leasing at Cleveland-based Chartwell Group.

And while Westlake most likely isat the end of its explosive growth period, the maximum growth poten-tial of cities like Avon, Avon Lake andNorth Ridgeville remains to be seen.

“There’s still land to be acquired,”Mr. Reinart said. “There’s stilldecades worth of growth coming.” ■

West Sideexperiencesshuffle inpopulation

FILE PHOTOS/MARC GOLUB

Avon Commons opened in 2001 and contains restaurants such as Panera Bread,shown above, along with several big-name retail anchors like Costco, Home Depot and Target. The area’s retail growth, however, has slowed.

ABOVE AND RIGHT: The upscale lifestylecenter of Crocker Park in Westlake attracts an eclectic mix of visitors witha blend of restaurants and retail stores.

of specialized polymer materials;and LNB Bancorp Inc. in Lorain.

Technology firms also are devel-oping or even expanding their WestSide presence, such as Westlake-based medical records softwarefirm Workflow.com, which wasfounded in 2002. Hyland Softwarein Westlake was founded in 1991and is Northeast Ohio’s largest software developer.

The more established communi-ties of Bay Village, Rocky River,Fairview Park and Lakewood largelyare comprised of residential areas,with a mix of retail and business.

What sets Westlake and Avonapart from older suburbs is the way they were planned, said DonLydon, vice president of office leasing

“The market was so hot,new construction went likegangbusters out in Avon,Avon Lake and NorthRidgeville.”

– Todd Reinartsales manager,

Howard Hanna Real Estate Services

20090223-NEWS--16-NAT-CCI-CL_-- 2/19/2009 11:47 AM Page 1

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FEBRUARY 23-MARCH 1, 2009 WWW.CRAINSCLEVELAND.COM CRAIN’S CLEVELAND BUSINESS 17

When It Gets Down to Business…Solon Gets It!The City of Solon welcomes these new businesses:Anytime FitnessCore Temp Medical, LLCFinancial Network Investment CorporationFirst Federal of LakewoodMAR Systems, LLCMCAT Services LLCMetaloyMichael Hayes JewelersNational Center for Safety InitiativesNestle Professional Customer Innovation CampusSensical, Inc.Slosar Advertising, Inc.Solon Orthodontics

And thanks these real estate professionals for bringing new business to Solon: Don Bain, Jr. - Jones Lang LaSalle Warren Blazy - Jones Lang LaSalle Jeffrey Calig - NAI Daus Michael Cantor - Allegro Realty Advisors, Ltd. Joseph Greenberg - Chelm Properties, Inc. Denise Hahn - Weber, Wood, Medinger David Hexter – NAI DausMary Izant - CB Richard EllisJason Laver - The Dalad Group Jim McHale - Grubb & Ellis Bennett Morrison - Colliers Ostendorf Morris Bill Stevens - Allegro Realty Advisors, Ltd. Lisa Trevino - NAI Daus

Solon’s Got It!Prime industrial, office and retail sites at www.solonohio.org

[email protected]

The Solon Select is a distinguished group of more than 800 businesses that have chosen to locate in the City of Solon.

CORRIDORSOFCOMMERCE

Infrastructure investments crucialto viability of areaBy JOEL [email protected]

Ask officials from Cleve-land’s western suburbswhat helps them lurecommerce to their

respective towns and a centraltheme emerges: Access.

Interstates 90 and 480 have longprovided current and prospectivebusinesses with easy access todowntown Cleveland, Hopkins International Airport and points eastand west — and with the Decemberribbon-cutting of the connection ofCrocker and Stearns roads, the infra-structure-rich are only getting richer.

“The West Side was already prettywell connected,” said North OlmstedMayor Thomas O’Grady, whose retail-heavy city now is much moreconnected with fellow retail mavenWestlake. “But the range has beenextended. Now we connect up to 90,which allows easier access from Lorain and Lakewood, both to get toNorth Olmsted and to get to thoseother places.”

Add in a hint of creativity andother initiatives, and those sameofficials are somewhat optimisticthey will weather the financialstorm that’s only gaining steam.

Avon Lake Mayor K.C. Zubersaid the city has used the state’sCommunity Reinvestment Areaprogram — through which munici-palities and counties can offer upto 15-year, 100% tax abatementsfor businesses expanding, renovatingor constructing in the city — to itsadvantage. That, along with one ofthe lowest property tax rates onthe West Side, have helped AvonLake lure its corporate residents.

“We’re going to do whatever ittakes to get someone in,” MayorZuber said.

Westlake director of planning andeconomic development Robert Parry credits his city’s track recordwith business to, among otherthings, a unique infrastructure fundthat comes out of the city’s 1.5% income tax; 1% is designated for thecity’s general fund, but 0.375% goesstraight to an infrastructure fund.(The remaining 0.125% is used forthe city’s recreation department.)

The program had a 15-year sunset,

but voters renewed it, showing acommitment to business, Mr. Parrysaid.

“That money is available to busi-nesses,” Mr. Parry said. “We have alarge pot of money to maintain theinfrastructure; it’s an ongoing main-tenance program, because once youget behind, rebuilds are expensive.”

Meanwhile, Lakewood is takingadvantage of its unique businessroster and population density totransform its downtown into whatit hopes will be a retail hub with adash of health care. Last year, thecity, with community involvement,passed a Main Street initiativealong Detroit Avenue, betweenBunts and Arthur roads.

Within that span are LakewoodHospital, which in January announced an approximately $28million expansion, and the INABuilding, which was sold earlier thismonth to Kowit & Passov, a Cleve-land real estate brokerage that plansto rehab the 225,000-square-footmixed-use site.

A franchisee of the Five Guys fastfood chain is establishing its head-quarters and opening a Five Guysrestaurant within the Main Streetarea, and is seeking to land retailtenants for the remaining space.

“We pursued businesses with aplan for what Detroit Avenue willlook like, the walkability factor andthe proximity to health care institu-tions,” said Nathan Kelly, the city’sdirector of planning and develop-ment. “Here are 55,000 people with-in one square mile, and organiza-tions want to be close to health care.The results have been pretty clear.”

One lingering issue is what to dowith the region’s urban cores. AsAvon (new I-90 interchange, retailgalore), Westlake and North Olmst-ed continue to grow through green-fields, what happens to a city like Lorain, which has struggled withmanufacturing losses?

“In this case, unemployment andempty buildings can be a goodthing,” said Steve Morey, presidentand CEO of economic developmentorganization Team Lorain County.“It’s a nice advantage to have, withexisting buildings and an existingwork force. Other communitiesmight not have either.” ■

Several mayors of I-90West communities wereasked: What are some of themajor turning points foryour community over thepast 10-15 years that helpedto bring it to the place it is at today?

Lakewood Mayor Edward FitzGerald:

“Lakewood’s I-90 corri-dor location delivers threeinterchanges, all within 10minutes to downtownCleveland, Independence,western suburbs and allmajor highways. Recent investment in downtownLakewood delivers upgradedand available commercialspace with large contiguoussquare footages, withstrong retail amenities fromdining, boutique shoppingand small business ser-vices. Some new construc-tion industrial spacerounds out the city’s com-mercial presence on the corridor.

In addition to employment andbusiness growth opportunities,

I-90 similarly benefits ourhousing sector. Located onLake Erie and comple-mented by our brand-newschools and library, surrounded by theMetroparks, our walkablecommunity is a great placeto get off of I-90, and getout of your car for home orwork.”

Avon Lake Mayor Karl(K.C.) Zuber:

“The major infrastructureimprovement for 2009 willbe building the Avon LakeAquatic Center. The citizensof Avon Lake passed a $4.5million bond issue in November of 2008 to build anew pool to replace that 47-year old structure. This willinclude two water slides, aspray ground, two divingboards, a lazy river andmany other modern ameni-ties. In the late 1990s, AvonLake built its current indus-

trial parkway. The newest businessesto build there are Hinkley Lightingand Thogus Products. There are still

PHOTO PROVIDED

Lakewood Hospital in January announced a $28 million expansion. Lakewood isaiming to emphasize health care along with its retail base.

OFFICIALPERSPECTIVE

FitzGerald

Zuber

Clough

several acres of shovel-ready propertyon Pin Oak Parkway.”

Westlake Mayor Dennis Clough:“Major turning points that have

brought Westlake to where it is today: The passage of Issue 11 in 1993, a

0.375% increase in city income tax, created the funds for infrastructureimprovements, enabling the city toproactively plan for scheduledmaintenance and improvementsfor major roadways, intersectionand water lines reconstruction.

Intersection and road improve-ments serving the city’s three I-90 interchanges: $7 million wideningand improvements to Crocker Roadand Detroit intersection; wideningof Columbia Road (state Route 252)from I-90 to Center Ridge Road; completing plans to improveClague Road and interchange.

Crocker-Stearns connector between I-90 and I-480, a $20 millionproject that connects the I-90 corridor to the Ohio Turnpike andHopkins Airport ... The 75-acreCrocker Park town center serving thecorridor ...

Long-term planning for balancedgrowth and economic developmentalong the corridor, which began inthe 1980s and implemented over thelast two decades.” ■

20090223-NEWS--17-NAT-CCI-CL_-- 2/20/2009 11:30 AM Page 1

Page 6: There is an advantage to getting communication solutions

nucleus around which these newassets orbit.

Business leaders and planners,such as Phil Mikita, expect somesort of manufacturing to be at thatcore. Mr. Mikita is director of theLorain County Business Connec-tion, a business expansion and retention program of the LorainCounty Growth Partnership, a public-private economic develop-ment group created by the countycommissioners.

“People have said, ‘We makethings in Lorain County,’ and wewill continue to do that, we’re notabandoning manufacturing,” hesaid. “But we’re focusing on up-and-coming industries.”

The area has a large inventory ofshovel-ready sites and available existing buildings that can be a lurefor a variety of businesses, saidSteve Morey, president and CEO of Team Lorain County, a businessattraction organization affiliatedwith Team NEO, the regional business attraction nonprofit.

“Not only that, but we’ve gotlarge buildings, such as the oldFord plant on Baumhart Road,which are unique in both their sizeand scale and that draws a lot of attention to the area,” Mr. Moreysaid.

A look at what is happening atthat abandoned plant suggests that businesses that move goodsmight be one of the area’s core industries.

In 2006, Industrial Realty Groupof California purchased the 3.8 million-square-foot auto assemblycomplex Ford Motor Co. abandoned

18 CRAIN’S CLEVELAND BUSINESS WWW.CRAINSCLEVELAND.COM FEBRUARY 23-MARCH 1, 2009

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CORRIDORSOFCOMMERCE

continued from PAGE 15

Core: Officials expect manufacturing to retain presence

for lease in the Ford plant and the access to rail and water routeshas business planners in LorainCounty focusing on ways to attractalternative energy businesses, especially wind businesses, to thearea, said Team Lorain County’sMr. Morey.

“Alternative energy is a buzz-word, but it’s more than a buzz-word (in Lorain County) becauseit’s happening out there,” he said.

The abandoned Ford plant has a544,000-square-foot paint shop thatcould be attractive to a turbinemaker and last December, LorainCity Council approved a lot split,which will allow developer IRG toseparately sell the paint shop,which has a 40-foot clearance.

Further stoking the interest inwind, Turtle Plastics Co. of Loraininstalled a 70-foot-tall wind turbinethat will generate power for thecompany’s use.

Beyond alternative energy and logistics businesses, whichmany areas covet, the region still isdeciding what areas on which to focus. The manufacture of medicaldevices is a natural, if only becausenearby Elyria is home to InvacareCorp., one of the world’s largestmanufacturers of wheelchairs and

in 2005 and began slicing it up for tenants. So far, the redeveloperof distressed properties has leasedabout 700,000 square feet of thespace to seven tenants, most ofwhich are in distribution businesses.

Across the street from the Fordplant, a U.S. arm of a Germanmaker of industrial burners forsteel processing, WS ThermalProcess Technology Inc., is buildinga new, nearly 10,000-square-foot

building to distribute and servicethe parent company’s products inthe United States.

For distributors like WS Thermal, easy truck access is key.Not only is I-90 at its doorstep, butthe Ohio Turnpike a short hopaway and the area has good accessto rail and water transportation.

Looking for alternativesBoth the large spaces available

related medical equipment.The community’s focus areas will

be based in part on how best to takeadvantage of available labor.

Lorain County had a 7.9% unem-ployment rate as of December 2008,a rate that has risen steadily since2000 when unemployment was4.1%. The county’s rate is slightlyabove the statewide average of7.4%.

A large percentage of the 9,100jobs lost in Lorain County since2000 came from manufacturing.

“The easy answer is, ‘You’re making this, now you’re going to bemaking that,’ which uses the sameskill set,” Mr. Morey said. “The keythere is these folks need to betrained up because the equipmentis more advanced, it’s more computer intense.

“You’ve got to have a higher level of training to run some ofthese machines,” he said.

New ways of thinkingIn contrast to the Lorain County

experience, which is a rebuildingprocess, Westlake is in its firstgrowth phase, though its bread-and-butter development is slowingdown.

“The last two years, light indus-trial development has sloweddown,” said Robert Parry, the city’splanning and economic develop-ment director. “And office developersare having a tough time with financing.”

Even Crocker Park is filling outmore slowly than anticipated.

Westlake’s development is increasingly white collar. CuyahogaCommunity College is planning anew three-building campus on 32acres it purchased at Bradley andClemens roads, just north of I-90. Inaddition, Mr. Parry believes therewill be a new hotel coming in a fewyears.

The planned Tri-C campus hasdeveloper Charles Marshall rethinking what to do with the remaining 42 acres in his 102-acreBeacon Westlake business park, astone’s throw from the new collegecampus.

He’s thinking he can use a primeremaining lot for an office building,perhaps for doctors, instead of lightindustry.

“Things are changing with Tri-C,” he said. “We got a breath offresh air and imagination.

“Now maybe we’ll do it right” withnice architecture, he said. ■

RUGGERO FATICA

This baseball stadium at state Route 611 and Interstate 90, which is being built and owned by the City of Avon, will behome to the Lake Erie Crushers, the new Frontier League expansion team. Projects such as these have helped define I-90 West as a bustling corridor of commerce.

20090223-NEWS--18-NAT-CCI-CL_-- 2/19/2009 1:35 PM Page 1

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FEBRUARY 23-MARCH 1, 2009 WWW.CRAINSCLEVELAND.COM CRAIN’S CLEVELAND BUSINESS 19

INTERNET SERVICE PROVIDERSLISTED ALPHABETICALLY

NameAddressPhone/Web site

Yearfounded

# of localemployees01/01/2009

# of localsubscribers01/01/2009

% of subscribersthat are

businesses Types of Internet connectionsGeographic area servedtoll-free

24-hourtech

supportTop executivetitle

Advanced Computer Connection166 Milan Ave., Norwalk 44857(419) 668-4080/www.acc-corp.net

1991 35 3,000 60% Dial-up, DSL, high-speedwireless Northern Ohio Yes Mike Cowan

president

Ald.Net168 Lake Terrace Road, Munroe Falls 44262(330) 745-3241/www.ald.net

1987 NA NA 95% T1, DSL, dial-up Ohio Yes Richard DepewCFO

Area Networks Inc.1228 Euclid Ave., Suite 1105, Cleveland 44115(216) 781-1660/www.areanetworks.com

1996 NA NA NA Application service provider,managed service provider Cleveland and Northeast Ohio Yes Marc Castelluccio

CTO

Armstrong1141 Lafayette Road, Medina 44256877-277-5711/www.armstrongonewire.com

1963 135 52,000 20% High-speed broadbandBoardman, Medina, Orrville,Ashland and outlying smallcities

Yes Karen Wolffgeneral manager, Medina

BlueBridge Networks1255 Euclid Ave., Cleveland 44115(216) 621-2583/www.bluebridgenetworks.com

2004 NA NA 100% T1, DS3, OCX, metro-fiber,ethernet

Cuyahoga, Geauga, Lake andSummit counties Yes Neil J. Adelman

CEO

Bonzai Pipeline Inc.50 Pearl Road, Suite 307, Brunswick 44212(216) 324-9600/www.bonzaipipeline.net

2002 3 NA 100% Patented wireless, T-type, fiber Cuyahoga, Medina, Summitcounties Yes H. Gregory Badger

president

Bright.net Internet Service Providers81 N. Portage St., Doylestown 44230(800) 535-6423/www.neobright.net

1995 NA NA 15% Dial-up, DSL, T-1 Northeast Ohio No Tom Brockmanpresident

CanNet Internet Services Inc.P.O. Box 36696, Canton 44735(330) 484-2260/www.cannet.com

1995 NA NA 50% Wireless, T-3, T-1, dial-up Stark County No NA

CenturyTel of Ohio Inc.203 W. Ninth St., Lorain 44052(440) 244-8377/www.centurytel.com

1894 127 16,480 12%Dedicated Internet via metroethernet, T1, DSL, dial-up, purebroadband

Lorain County Yes George Russellarea operations manager

Cleveland Net30432 Euclid Ave., Wickliffe 44092(440) 585-1810/www.clevelandnet.com

1996 8 NA 100% Wireless, T1, dedicatedhigh-speed

Cleveland, Mentor, Willoughby,Painesville, Burton, Chardon Yes Bob Hostutler

president

Cox Communications12221 Plaza Drive, Parma 44130(216) 535-3500/www.cox.com

1979 175 NA NA Broadband high-speed InternetBroadview Hts., Brooklyn Hts.,Fairview Park, Parma, ParmaHts., Lakewood

YesAnne Dorisvice president,general manager

Expedient Communications15166 NEO Pkwy., Cleveland 44128(216) 373-8500/www.expedient.com

2001 NA NA 94%Colocation, managed hostingservices, disaster recoveryethernet, T1, DS3, OC-3

United States YesBryan Smithvice president of sales andmarketing

Fidelity Voice and Data23250 Chagrin Blvd., Suite 250, Beachwood 44122(216) 595-9050/www.fidelityaccess.com

2000 NA NA 100%T1, DS3, colocation, MPLS,metro ethernet, private line,voice trunks, SIP termination

United States Yes Robert Markspresident

First Communications3340 W. Market St., Akron 44333(800) 860-1261/www.firstcomm.com

1998 174 NA 17% T-1, Wireless, BPL Every state except Alaska Yes Ray HexamerCEO

Imagine Net Inc.P.O. Box 832, Brunswick 44212(216) 215-1930/www.imaginenet.net

2002 6 NA 70% Ethernet, fiber, DS3, T1, DSL,dial-up United States Yes Rusty Rivituso

principal

Mango Bay Internet1277 E. Schaaf Road, Suite 4, Brooklyn Heights 44131(216) 335-9255/www.mangobay.net

1997 8 NA 80% Dial-up, DSL, high-speedwireless, T1, T3, ethernet

United States, Canada, VirginIslands Yes Alan P. Jacubenta

president

Marinar Technology Co. LLC270 E. Main St., Suite 100, Painesville 44077(440) 354-1458/www.marinar.com

1996 3 500 65% T1, DSL, colocation, host Nationwide Yes Francis Martinpresident

Massillon Cable TV Inc.814 Cable Court NW, Massillon 44647(330) 833-4134/www.massilloncabletv.com

1965 135 45,000 NA Fiber NA No Robert Gessnerpresident

Midview Computer & Internet Services902 Main St., Grafton 44044(888) 643-8439/www.midviewinternet.com

2001 4 400 30% Dial-up, DSL Nationwide (dial-up), DSL in 330& 216 area codes No Jody S. Kostohryz

owner

N2Net815 Superior Ave., Suite 425, Cleveland 44114(216) 619-2000/www.n2net.net

1995 NA NA 85%SIP trunking, dial-up, DSL, ISDN,T1, T3, VoIP, colocation,dedicated server

United States No Edward J. Rozak IIpresident

Netlink Services Inc.P.O. Box 447, Twinsburg 44087(440) 856-2000/www.netlink.net

1995 13 11,000 60% DSL, T1, T3, dial-up, colocation United States No Edward R. Kuchar Jr.president

Ohio.net Internet Providers37 E. Marion St., Doylestown 44230(888) 881-0805/www.ohio.net

2003 NA NA 40% DS3, gigabit, dial-up, DSL, T1,VOIP United States No John Clarke

assistant vice president

Ohioramp.com13500 Pearl Road, Suite 139-300, Strongsville 44136(800) 795-3282/www.ohioramp.com

1994 3 NA 75% In-building high-speed ethernet,T1, fixed wireless, ISDN, dial-up

Northeast Ohio (high-speed),United States (dial-up) Yes

Terry Joseph, CEO; ShawnSkeabeck, chieftechnology officer

Rampant Inc.4700 Rockside Road, Suite 400, Independence 44131(216) 524-5577/www.rampant.com

1995 9 2,800 100% Direct, T3, T1 Northeast Ohio Yes Robert G. Scottpresident

Simcon TechnologiesP.O. Box 1208, Twinsburg 44089(440) 856-2000/www.simcon.net

1999 NA NA 60% DSL, T1, DS3, colocation,dial-up Nationwide No Edward R. Kuchar Jr.

president

Suite224 Internet224 State St., Conneaut 44030(440) 593-7113/www.suite224.net

1996 47 3,500 40% Dial-up, cable modem, DSL, T1,metro ethernet Ashtabula and Lake No Ken Johnson

general manager

Thinsolutions LLC1388 Riverside Drive, Lakewood 44107(216) 685-3000/www.thinsolutions.com

1997 26 35 100% T1 Northeast Ohio Yes Steve Mesenburgpresident

Time Warner Cable Business Class530 S. Main St., Suite 1751, Akron 44311(888) 632-0196/http://neohio.twcbc.com

1998 NA NA NA Ethernet, cable modem Northeast Ohio YesStephen R. Fry, president;Don Kosec, vicepresident, businessservices

Value 1 Internet409 Lake Ave., Elyria 44035(440) 250-8700/www.value1internet.com

2002 6 680 80% 56k dial-up, ISDN, DSL, T1,DS-3, fiber, wireless, VOIP Cuyahoga and Lorain counties Yes John Nemeth

owner

Windstream245 N. Main St., Hudson 44236(330) 650-7428/www.windstream.com

1943 420 246,000 NADedicated Internet, T1, DSX,OCX, MPLS, broadband,high-speed Internet, ISDN

Ashtabula, Cuyahoga, Geauga,Lake, Lorain, Medina, Portage,Summit and Trumbull counties

YesSusan Schraibman, div.vp, operations; KennethElliott, area vp, business

Source: Information is supplied by the companies unless footnoted. Crain's Cleveland Business does not independently verify the information and there is no guarantee theselistings are complete or accurate. We welcome all responses to our lists and will include omitted information or clarifications in coming issues. Individual lists and the Book ofLists are available to purchase at www.crainscleveland.com.

RESEARCHED BY Deborah W. Hillyerand Kim Ratliff-Null

20090223-NEWS--19-NAT-CCI-CL_-- 2/19/2009 9:28 AM Page 1

Page 8: There is an advantage to getting communication solutions

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Page 9: There is an advantage to getting communication solutions

There are rumors in downtowncircles that Eaton is re-examiningits options or might stay put down-town rather than take on a costlynew headquarters in a down econ-omy. Mr. Klasen said the company’spolicy is to not comment on rumors, but he added, “We havesaid (Beachwood) is our leading location for the move and are continuing to pursue all of the issues related to that.”

However, Mr. Klasen did acknowl-edge that Eaton has not executedany agreements with Beachwood orother parties committing to theproject and site.

Mayor Gorden said Beachwood’slaw department is talking severaltimes weekly about the deal, andEaton shows no sign of losing interest in the new campus. Threepieces of legislation clearing theway for the Eaton project are eligible for final passage at Beach-wood City Council’s next meeting,on March 2. That body has votedtwice this month to support thepackage.

The suburb is offering one incen-tive to Eaton it has not offered previously: a measure to repay thecompany about $2 million in

income tax each year it operates inthe suburb, for a period of 10 years.

Mayor Gorden said the suburbdoes not intend to make the income tax rebate a policy, as it is inMentor, Solon and other cities inthe region.

“The reason we’re considering itnow, especially today, is that we arein challenging times,” he said.

“We have the opportunity tohave a company such as Eaton remain in Northeast Ohio and buildin Beachwood,” Mayor Gordenadded. “This is not just out therethat we are offering this to anybody.The impact of this project is profound. The money its employeeswill spend here, (and) the visitorsfrom outside the region it will bring to restaurants and hotels, issignificant.”

A 20-year waitShould a similarly large corpora-

tion offer to move its headquartersto the suburb, Beachwood wouldconsider a similar tax break, MayorGorden said. Recalling that Eaton isthe largest corporate headquartersprospect that Richard E. JacobsGroup of Westlake and partnerScott Technologies Inc. have landedfor Chagrin Highlands, the mayor

noted, “It just took 20 years to getthis.”

Ironically, the city of Cleveland,which has a tortured history on taxincentives for business, does not offer an incentive similar to the income tax repayment program.

Beachwood, like Cleveland, alsodoes not exempt deferred compen-sation such as CEO stock optionsfrom municipal income taxes, MayorGorden said, but it’s watching theoutcome of a pending court case incase it needs to amend its policy.The deferred compensation issuewas thought to be a factor in Eaton’s decision to pursue a suburban home.

Eaton, which had sales last yearof $15 billion, currently is located in a namesake skyscraper at 1111 Superior Ave. Before Eaton publiclyset its course for the suburbanheadquarters, the city of Cleveland,the Cleveland-Cuyahoga CountyPort Authority and developers ofthe Flats East Bank Neighborhoodtried to sell the company on a sitenorth of Main Avenue in the Flats.Its search gave rise to new down-town office-building plans amongmultiple developers, though thedeep recession and credit crunchhave ended such talk. ■

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Credit: Senate, House bills varyby millions in tax credit value

Cells: Professor eyesfederal grant money — a cheap, natural material foundin abundance all over the world —to make nanotubes. At a diameterthat is 1/100,000th the size of a humanhair, billions of the nanotubeswould be used to make one fuel cell.

In fuel cells, hydrogen and oxygencome together to form water, aprocess that generates electricity. Dr.Xia said by using carbon nanotubes“doped” with a trace of nitrogen, thesurface area within the fuel cells onwhich electricity can be generated issignificantly expanded. That outcomeallows the fuel cell to produce farmore electricity than those fuel cellsusing platinum as the catalyst onwhich electricity is generated.

GrafTech International HoldingsInc. of Parma is using graphite — atype of carbon — to make plates thatwork in fuel cells. However, Dr. Xiasaid the nanotubes are different be-cause their larger surface area enablesthe fuel cell to create more electricity.

Besides, using platinum in fuelcells leads to the creation of poiso-nous carbon monoxide gas and the platinum particles eventually combine to make larger particles,which diminishes the material’suseful life, said Dr. Liming Dai, theWright Brothers Institute EndowedChair in Nanomaterials and a professor of chemical and materialsengineering at the University ofDayton. The carbon nanotubes areimmune to these degradations.

“The new material is cheaper andcan last longer,” said Dr. Dai, who isDr. Xia’s research collaborator.

The use of carbon in fuel cells is a pretty big discovery, said Pat

Valente, executive director of theOhio Fuel Cell Coalition in Cleve-land. He said he’s unaware of another company that has found areplacement material for platinum.

“Even if it is just in the beginningstages, if it can overcome any techni-cal issues, that’s absolutely terrific,”Mr. Valente said. “It will have a hugeimpact on the price of fuel cells.”

Platinum is found only in SouthAfrica and Russia, and is a rare metal,which is why it’s so expensive, Dr.Xia said.

“The cost is higher than a gas engine (in a car); this is a great barrierfor commercialization,” he said.

Dr. Xia said he’s applying for a yet-undetermined amount of federal

research dollars from the NationalScience Foundation and the U.S. AirForce. He said he and Dr. Dai have abetter chance of receiving federalmoney now because President BarackObama is interested in alternative fuelsources to reduce America’s depen-dence on oil. They have not previouslyreceived any research money for thefuel cell project, Dr. Dai said.

Fuel cells made with carbon alsocreate no pollution when generatingelectricity and make no noise,which could improve operations of military equipment such as submarines or airplanes, Dr. Xia said.

Private companies also are inter-ested in the carbon fuel cell, Dr. Daisaid.

“There are a lot of companies contacting us to work together tocommercialize it,” but it depends onhow much money they offer up as tohow fast the carbon fuel cell can bebrought to market, Dr. Dai said. ■

when it’s in full swing. Mr. Schwarz, who was a location

manager for film companies beforecoming to Cleveland in 2007, saidthat estimate was a realistic figurebecause a production center withtwo or three movies in productiontypically would have 1,000 peopleworking at a time.

The interview with Mr. Meistrichtook place at Tower City Cinemas,where Nehst had a VIP showing of“Running the Sahara,” a documen-tary the company is distributing butdid not produce. “Running the Sahara” was developed and narratedby actor Matt Damon.

“Running America” tells the storyof ultra-marathon runners CharlieEngle and Marshall Ulrich as theymake a grueling run across theUnited States from San Francisco to New York City. It continues an adventure begun on “Runningthe Sahara,” which is currently running on the Showtime pay cablenetwork.

Nehst already has lined up 17,000square feet of space for a film pro-

duction center at the conventioncenter. Cleveland City Councilpassed legislation late last year authorizing a one-year, no-costlease to Nehst.

Ken Silliman, Mayor Frank Jack-son’s chief of staff, said last Thurs-day that the city is completing negotiations on the lease.

Gov. Ted Strickland killed a filmtax credit bill at year’s end becausehe wanted his staff to consider itsimpact on the next biennial budget.In his Jan. 28 State of the State address, Mr. Strickland gave hisblessing to a film tax credit.

The bill in the Senate provides upto $100 million in film productiontax credits over two years. TheHouse version would cap the credits at $20 million. Gov. Strick-land’s proposal capped the creditprogram at $10 million. The taxcredit is equal to a percentage of theamount spent on a film’s produc-tion in Ohio. The House bill couldpass as soon as this week.

Nehst films typically cost between $2 million and $50 millionto produce. ■

continued from PAGE 1

continued from PAGE 3

continued from PAGE 1

“(Platinum’s) cost is higher than a gas engine (in a car);this is a great barrier for commercialization.” – Dr. Zhenhai Xia, assistant professor, University of Akron’s Departmentof Mechanical Engineering

20090223-NEWS--21-NAT-CCI-CL_-- 2/20/2009 2:30 PM Page 1

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2222 CRAIN’S CLEVELAND BUSINESS WWW.CRAINSCLEVELAND.COM FEBRUARY 23-MARCH 1, 2009

This is the21st century, isn’t it?■ The web and women.

Susan Goldberg was there to talk aboutthe former, but her liveliest comments camein addressing the prominent role of the latter in The Plain Dealer’s newsroom.

Ms. Goldberg, editor of The Plain Dealer,was the featured speaker last Thursday at aluncheon meeting of the Cleveland chapterof the Society of Professional Journalists. In her talk, “Newspapering in the InternetAge,” Ms. Goldberg predicted that moremetropolitan daily newspapers will fail thisyear as their revenues decline due to thetough economy and the migration of readersto the web.

“We are still making money at The PlainDealer,” she said. “A lot of newspapers arenot.”

The challenge for newspapers, Ms. Gold-berg said, is to replace with online and otherrevenues the “buckets of money”they used tomake with printed newspapers in the past,and to cover the cost of fielding reporters capable of investigative reporting.

“I think everyone wishes we could have ado-over in putting content online for free,”she said.

However, the most provocative part ofMs. Goldberg’s appearance occurred duringthe question-and-answer session. That’swhen freelance writer and blogger John Ettorre asked Ms. Goldberg if The PlainDealer has lost male perspective becauseseveral top editors and incoming editorialpage editor Elizabeth Sullivan are women.

Responded a barely restrained Ms. Gold-berg: “I am stunned to get this question inthis day and age. The majority of editors aremen. It’s high time that women are runningnewsrooms. I don’t know why you arethreatened by that.” — Stan Bullard

Out of work? Here’sa free option■ This just in: People like free stuff, especiallywhen they don’t have jobs.

DeVore Technologies Inc. learned thatlesson after it began offering free computerclasses to people who are out of work.

The Bedford information technology services company sent out an e-mail news-letter advertising its Unemployed ProfessionalProgram at about noon on Feb. 4, and the callsstarted flowing in soon thereafter, said recep-tionist Melody May.

“Word’s getting out,” Ms. May said.The company, which creates custom soft-

ware and web sites in addition to providingcomputer training, has scheduled a total of24 day-long classes that each will cover howto use a different software program. Amongthe featured programs are Microsoft Officetools such as Word, PowerPoint and Excel aswell as other tools such as Dreamweaver,used for web development, and Crystal Reports, used to create reports from data.

DeVore decided to give the free classes after realizing just howmany of itsemployeesknew peoplewho’d lost jobs,

said training manager Jennifer Hughes.“Everybody knows someone who has

been laid off,” Ms. Hughes said.Nearly half the seats in the classes already

were spoken for as of last Thursday, Feb. 19.DeVore might add classes depending on demand.

To register, visit www.devore.com or call440-232-3846. — Chuck Soder

Stocking up on KeyCorp stock, for Key’s sake■ You can breathe easy. Cleveland’s remaining large bank isn’t the soon-to-bevictim of a hostile takeover from a Delawarerival.

Despite a Feb. 13 filing with the Securitiesand Exchange Commission that showsWilmington Trust buying up stock in Key-Corp — KeyBank’s parent company — a Keyspokesman said the numbers are anythingbut troubling. Rather, they’re standard.

Wilmington Trust is the trustee for severalof Key’s employee stock ownership plans,and it buys shares to meet the needs of thoseprograms, said Key spokesman Bill Murschel.Wilmington Trust spokesman Bill Benin-tende said the company works with a number of corporate retirement plans andbuy shares according to instructions.

Wilmington owns 26.8 million Key shares,or 5.4% of the shares outstanding, as Wilm-ington Trust Corp. Those shares are divided

between 26.79 million shares asWilmington Trust Co. and 20,618shares as Wilmington Trust Feder-al Savings Bank. — Arielle Kass

MILESTONE

REPORTERS’ NOTEBOOKBEHIND THE NEWS WITH CRAIN’S WRITERS

THEINSIDER

THEWEEK FEBRUARY 16 - 22

The big story: Goodyear Tire & Rubber Co.said it plans to cut 5,000 jobs worldwide thisyear, or nearly 7% of its work force, as it contendswith slackening demand amid the recession. TheAkron-based tiremaker also is freezing salariesworldwide and reducing production capacity inan effort to cut costs by $700 million this year.Goodyear reported a fourth-quarter loss of $330million, or $1.37 a share, which compares to aprofit of $52 million, or 23 cents a share, in thefourth quarter of 2007.

Brain gain: The Cleveland Clinic will staff andoperate a brain center in Las Vegas. The center,dubbed the Cleveland Clinic Lou Ruvo Center forBrain Health, will be housed inside the Lou RuvoBrain Institute in Las Vegas. Its clinical practicemight begin seeing patients by midsummer.

A noteworthy deal: Noteworthy MedicalSystems Inc., a producer of electronic medicalrecords software in Mayfield Heights, receivedwhat it termed “a substantial equity investment”from CompuGroup Holding AG, a health caresoftware developer based in Germany. The twoparties did not disclose the size of the invest-ment in privately held Noteworthy. However,Lawrence Dolin, Noteworthy chairman andCEO, said the investment “will allow Noteworthyto continue to grow its market share and buildon its unique ability to provide connectivity tohealth systems throughout the U.S.”

A stop, for now: PNC Financial ServicesGroup Inc., the Pittsburgh company that ownsNational City Corp., announced a moratoriumon new and pending mortgage foreclosures. Thecompany said its moratorium on the start offoreclosures on mortgage loans owned and handled by PNC and National City Mortgage iseffective immediately and runs through March13, or upon the start of the federal government’snew loan modification program. Joseph C.Guyaux, president of PNC, said the moratorium’sgoal is “to help as many customers as possible toremain in their homes.”

Slow go: The Independence-based PrecisionMetalforming Association said its latest surveyshowed 75% of 147 association members let workers go or put them on reduced hours thismonth, up from 64% in January and a scant 16% a year ago. More companies also indicated customers were taking longer to pay them, with56% of respondents saying customers were payingless promptly in February, up from 44% in January.

In it to win it: Lt. Gov Lee Fisher and Secre-tary of State Jennifer Brunner apparently willface off for the Democratic Party’s nominationfor George Voinovich’s U.S. Senate seat in 2010.Mr. Fisher announced his candidacy at theStatehouse with Gov. Ted Strickland at his side.Ms. Brunner unveiled a web site at jenniferbrunner.com that included a video announcementof her candidacy.

To keep up with local business news as it happens, visit www.CrainsCleveland.com.

Excerpts from recent Editor’s Choiceblog entries on CrainsCleveland.com.

CHOICE BITSInstitute, told The Times, “I’m puzzled why thepublic in general ignores the results of well-done trials. The public’s belief in the benefitsof vitamins and nutrients is not supported bythe available scientific data.”

Oh, now we allstart saving money■ The country has rediscovered a tastefor saving money, and while that kind of

personal virtue might have helped theUnited States avoid this recession, itmight hurt in getting us out of it.

That’s the upshot of a Feb. 12 Business-Week story that featured comments fromBruce McCain, chief investment strate-gist at Key Private Bank in Cleveland.BusinessWeek said the nation’s savings

rate of after-tax income approached 3% at the end of 2008, a dramatic change from a -0.7% savings rate in the third quarter of 2005. Butthe fear is that too quick a rise in the savingrate “could push U.S. consumer spending offa cliff,” according to the magazine.

“If you scare people badly enough, theydo begin to change their stripes,” Mr. McCain said. “A lot of people are rethinkingthe way they lead their lives.”

Consider this beforeyou pop that pill■ Americans spend $23 billion a yearon vitamins even though several recent studies fail to show that thevitamins help prevent chronic dis-ease or prolong life, according to aFeb. 17 New York Times story thatquoted a Cleveland Clinic researcher.

Researchers in the Women’s Health Initiative study who tracked eightyears of multivitamin use amongmore than 161,000 older women lastweek found no evidence to supportearlier findings suggesting that multivit-amins might lower the risk for heart diseaseand certain cancers. And The Times said astudy of 35,000 men released last Octoberdashed hopes that high doses of vitamin Eand selenium could lower the risk ofprostate cancer.

Still, consumers keep buying. Dr. Eric Klein,national study coordinator for the prostatecancer trial and chairman of the ClevelandClinic’s Glickman Urological and Kidney

COMPANY: WindowPRO, Middleburg HeightsTHE OCCASION: Its 80th anniversary

WindowPRO, which in 2008 celebrated its80th year in the building material sales busi-ness, has started 2009 by adding Infinity

from Marvin and MarvinWindows and Doors to itsproduct line.

The company, formerlya Renewal by Andersen affiliate, does business asInfinity from Marvin by WindowPRO in the replace-ment segment of the market and WindowPRO

in the trade professional and commercial segments of the market. Jake Zahnow, Window-PRO president and a fifth-generation memberof the family business, says the company hasbeen able to sustain growth “because our teamhas been able to adapt to changing market andcustomer needs over the years.”

For information, visit www.windowpro.com.

Send information to managing editor ScottSuttell at [email protected].

Zahnow

20090223-NEWS--22-NAT-CCI-CL_-- 2/20/2009 2:43 PM Page 1

Page 11: There is an advantage to getting communication solutions

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Page 12: There is an advantage to getting communication solutions

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20090223-NEWS--24-NAT-CCI-CL_-- 2/19/2009 3:28 PM Page 1