Regional Assets

Cleveland is a mid-size city with big-city amenities. This is particularly true when it comes to culture. The city is known for its world-class arts institutions, including the Cleveland Orchestra and the Cleveland Museum of Art. But the area also offers world-class transportation options including Hopkins International Airport and public transit that has been ranked tops in the nation. In addition, Northeast Ohio is home to leading Fortune 500 companies, including Progressive Insurance, Sherwin Williams and Forest City Enterprises. The region’s firms also boast a special expertise in consumer product design, including leaders American Greetings, Moen, and General Electric Appliances and Lighting.

One of the region’s more underappreciated assets, however, is a rich history of design leadership. The Cleveland region gave rise to illustrious industrial designer: Viktor Schreckengost, whose contributions to American consumer culture are valued at $250 billion. Another regional strength is the The Cleveland Institute of Art, which is consistently ranked among the top Industrial Design programs in the country. Coupled with the region’s long history of manufacturing expertise, product design and manufacturing are an inextricable part of the region’s fabric, and more importantly its future.