Business Development Activities and Services
Your Business: Our Focus
The Greater Cleveland Partnership Business Development activities and services include:
Company Connection
The GCP Business Development team meets regularly with businesses in the region to gain a better understanding of each individual company's growth opportunities and challenges. The Company Connection program provides insights about how our team may be able to help in making both businesses and industries more competitive and profitable nationally and internationally.
Since January 2007, the Business Development team has conducted on-site visit with over 100 companies. Complementing the COSE small business efforts, our team works with the region's mid-sized and larger companies that generally have at least 50 employees and $5 million or more in sales.
The Business Development team uses the e-Synchronist System, a web-based software economic development tool, to organize, analyze and report company information. E-Synchronist reports give our community decision-makers invaluable insights into the dynamics of the local economy and enable them to assist businesses to expand and create jobs. All collected business data is confidential and will not be disclosed with identifying information about the company.
Most company visits take 60-75 minutes to complete the survey followed by a tour of the company's operation. Businesses may contact the Business Development team to schedule a company visit. We encourage business to complete the Company Background Form and send a copy to us for review prior to the on-site visit.
Connecting Business and Resources
The GCP Business Development team connects companies to appropriate resources including Real Estate, Workforce Development, Economic Growth Incentives and Business Financial Assistances to grow their businesses.
Real Estate Search Assistance
The Business Development staff uses CoStar commercial property database to identify real estate opportunities for business seeking new location. We also provide referrals to the Greater Cleveland area commercial brokerage firms for professional real estate services. Please visit the Cleveland+Business website for listings of real estate sites and properties for sale or lease.
Workforce Development
The Business Development team connects businesses to the Greater Cleveland Partnership's partner organizations which provide assistance with employee recruitment for all job levels and positions. Workforce training grants may also be arranged and customized to meet the needs of individual company. Followings are some of our direct partners and resources:
Economic Growth Incentives
The GCP Business Development team has strong working knowledge of local and state economic development incentives. Our staff assists businesses analyzing their financial needs for expansion and development projects. The Business Development team also serves as a conduit for companies by introducing them to the appropriate providers of incentives and loans. Please visit the Cleveland+Business website for a list of incentives, financing options, business grants, and tax credits that are available to businesses in and moving to Northeast Ohio.
Business Financial Assistance
The GCP Business Development team provides financial analysis for real estate acquisition, renovation, construction financing and equipment financing. Our staff assists companies prepare applications for financial assistance from governmental and private lenders such as those listed below:
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MAGNET - New Product Development and Manufacturing Assistance
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Development Projects
The GCP Business Development staff convenes for companies Project Deal teams, which consist of private and governmental partners, to facilitate major development projects. Companies that are attempting to attract new customers have benefited from Project Deal teams’ assistance. Companies with major real estate or equipment expansion or modification projects, which need the cooperation of several financial or business partners, have also been served by Project Deal teams. Please contact the Business Development team for assistance with any major development project.
Business Forum
The GCP Business Development team organizes Business Forum on a quarterly basis at different locations throughout our eight-county coverage area (Cuyahoga, Lorain, Medina, Summit, Portage, Geauga, Lake and Ashtabula). These forums are our collaborative efforts with the local economic development organizations to provide businesses information and updates on current development projects, our activities, programs and services. A side benefit that we have experienced is the involvement of our business leaders as the result of these forums. We always embrace opportunities to interact with individuals who want to make a positive impact on our business community. Business forums are open to both members and non-members of the GCP and selected partner organizations.