BUSINESS
Steps to Success Greater Cleveland Partnership outlines its focus and priorities. BY LINDA FEAGLER
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aiju R. Shah is the president and CEO of Greater Cleveland Partnership (GCP), the region’s business leadership group and chamber of commerce. “GCP’s history traces back to 1893 when the Cleveland Chamber of Commerce was formed to focus on civic matters,” Shah explains. With more than 12,000 members, GCP is the largest metropolitan chamber of commerce in the nation. It focuses on strategic initiatives, member services and advocacy to build a thriving environment for all businesses and individuals.
From that foundation, GCP works with partners on the priorities outlined in the All In plan.
Priority 1
A thriving region is built on dynamic businesses.
“Businesses must leverage technology for both productivity and innovation — because if they’re not, their competitors are,” says Shah. The Manufacturing Blueprint, an effort led by MAGNET, is one example of an initiative. Its goal is establishing Greater Cleveland as a global leader for smart manufacturing. “This priority also focuses on growing research institutions, including NASA Glenn, and better connecting their technologies and capabilities with local companies,” says Shah. GCP and partners including Team NEO, JobsOhio and the Ohio Aerospace Institute developed an advocacy strategy for increasing funding for NASA Glenn in the country’s space and defense missions. With the leadership of Ohio’s federal delegation, NASA Glenn recently secured up to $80 million in new defense funding for enhancing its hypersonic testing facilities. “NASA Glenn is a treasured resource and a major economic asset to the region,” says Shah.
COURTESY MICHAEL COLLIER
44 COMMUNITY LEADER | AUGUST 2022
GCP recently released its All In plan for Greater Cleveland to become one of the great regions in the Great Lakes. To achieve this, Shah and leaders from the private, public and nonprofit sectors developed a system in which these groups work in unity for the betterment of the region. “The system is powered by All In values that define the mindset, spirit and practices expected in civic initiatives,” Shah explains. “These values start with being INspired and end with IN-unity, always focused on working together for community outcomes.”
