June Holley was leading this week's forum. June is a nationally recognized researcher and practitioner in identifying, leading and coaching innovation networks.

Our first question from June: What would you like to see happen in Cleveland?

Cleveland City Council recently hosted hearings on sustainability programs of the City. an effort to take a long-term look at city acitivities and their cost and impact.  I was pleased to attend, but I have to confess to being less enthused than other comments I've read.  The content of the hearing, the report of the "sustainability initiatives" by Cleveland Sustainability Manager Andrew Watterson and the overall value and importance of sustainability initiatives by ECOCity's David Beach, was absolutely terrific.  Mr. Watterson has done a great job to engage offices to embrace initiatives and really move forward.  David Beach framed the overall issues effectively and clarified the importance of sustainability for the overall health and progress of the region.  Sadly, however, I thought the demonstration of value was largely one way and several Members of Council demonstrated only moderate familiarity, appreciation and understanding of the issues.

By AMANDA ONION

Jan. 26, 2006 — The snail may seem like a humble creature, but it turns out walking with one foot on a trail of slime is quite a feat.

Wisconsin is learning the lessons of the Irish Miracle. Simple enough: education, innovation, collaboriation. We know the path ahead. But somehow, we are not executing very well, according to this insightful commentary. Read more.

Date: Wednesday, February 8

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Pictured from left to right: Julius Ciaccia- Director of Public Utilities, Councilman Matt Zone, Andrew Watterson- Cleveland Sustainability Manager, and David Beach- Director, Ecocity Cleveland.

So often economic development focuses on job creation, new venture creation, and the connection of resources to opportunity.  While these are all important drivers of economic growth, we must also consider the impacts of sound ethical consumer and business practices.  On the consumer side, customers of businesses need to understand the terms of business transactions and employ sound money managment techiques to ensure transactions are conducted resource efficiently.  This enables consumers to save more, and in time not only enhance quality of life but  accumulate  savings which eventually have greater economic impact and contribution - allowing the consumer to spend more, generate greater tax revenue for all levels of government, inspire diverse investments or even new business ventures.

The International and Domestic Dimensions

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CSU Black Alumni Association and other black professional organizations are putting on the 2nd annual State of Black Cleveland Event on Saturday, Feb. 4, 2006 CSU's University Center Room 1 8:30am-12noon

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Networked Creative Industries Build Innovating Regions

Alex Michaels (Prelude2Cinema) lead our forum this evening begining with a call to action: we can benefit by working together to strengthen our NEO film industry. Alex suggested we place renewed value on some important behaviors: the value of being adaptable, having a clear vision that is inclusive of others and sharing resources with others so everyone can benefit. The Knight film incubator initiative will be a co-operative effort everyone will benefit from.

There will be no charge for this event. (Cash Bar)
Spouses are welcome

Please make reservations by contacting Radhika Reddy at Ariel Ventures,
LLC, 1375 East 9th Street, Ste 155, Cleveland, Ohio 44114: Phone

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Strapped offers a look at the new obstacles facing young adults as they try to build careers, buy homes and start families. Key Note Speaker: Tamara Draut, dir., Economic Opportunity Program at Demos & author of Strapped. Respondents: Daniel Gray-Kontar, Catalyst Cleveland and Hannah M. Fritzman, The Cleveland Executive Fellowship & Civic Innovation Lab.

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Social hour, dinner, brief annual meeting and keynote speaker Sandra Pianalto, pres & CEO, Federal Reserve Bank of Cleveland. Fee.

contact:  cvcc [dot] org [at] sbcglobal [dot] net   (Fred Holman)   440-526-1822

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June Holley is President and founder of the Appalachian Center for Economic Networks (ACEnet), a regional entrepreneurship organization in southeastern Ohio. She has pioneered the implementation of many innovative entrepreneurship strategies including business networks, Kitchen Incubators, youth entrepreneurship, regional entrepreneurship networks, policy networks and cluster-focused initiatives.

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Date: Wednesday, February 1

Time: 5:00 P.M. to 6:45 P.M.

Place: Myers University, Chester Campus

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Date: Wednesday, February 1

Time: 5:00 P.M. to 6:45 P.M.

Place: Myers University, Chester Campus

The U.S. Conference of Mayors has released a new report on the impact of global competitiion on our cities. The picture is mixed, with the biggest challenges facing the Midwest. Read more.

As the article notes: "[D]eclines in manufacturing due in part to outsourcing will contribute to a softening of the nation's overall output, with blows to cities such as Chicago, Cleveland, Detroit and Pittsburgh."

Civic leaders in Gladwin County, MI are pulling together the threads of an economic development for the firtst time.

The local chamber has been the epicenter for these efforts. From the looks of this article, the chamber has managed an inclusive process. It's a lesson that some chamber executives in much larger organizations here in NEO can learn.

CAAO is once again is preparing have its 3rd annual Online Silent Executive Auction. The auction allows bidders to bid on the time of some of Northeast Ohio's top executives. Last year the Boston Globe interviewed CAAO because they thought this was a very unique fundraiser. The executive’s donations range from one hour of their time to a day with them. This year CAAO is adding more national executives to the auction. CAAO is looking to have 55 executives in the auction. This year Black Enterprise Magazine has agreed to give the auction national exposure