Akron-Canton Metroplex Magazine: Summer 2021 issue by The Columbus Dispatch/Dispatch Magazines

Summer 2021

WORKING TOGETHER Stark and Summit counties plus Akron-Canton Airport driving tourism to the Metroplex

REVITALIZATION PROJECTS BRING NEW LIFE TO DOWNTOWN AKRON Manufacturing partnership adds jobs to local labor force AKRON-CANTON METROPLEX

PAID

US POSTAGE

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Akron-Canton Metroplex 388 S Main Street, Suite 720 Akron, OH 44311

6/30/21 9:51 AM

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Ohio & Erie Canal Trailhead New Downtown Housing

388 South Main [corner of Cedar & Main]

for more...

AES

BUILDING .COM

6/28/21 2:23 PM

The Akron-Canton Metroplex, a key to a bright future filled with opportunity in the real estate industry.

As the Akron-Canton Metroplex continues to grow and it’s needs evolve and expand, DeHoff will continue to strengthen neighborhoods, increase the housing supply, initiate and facilitate quality commercial real estate development, create new jobs, and continue impact investing throughout the region.

u Maplecrest Shopping Center, Brimfiled/Portage County

u Nobles Pond Shopping Center, Jackson Township/Stark County

Cutting edge business practices combined with a customer service focus has propeled the company for over 50 years.

uThe Akron-Canton Metroplex combines Summit, Portage, Stark, and Carroll Counties into 1 large Metropolitan Statistical Area.

u Newly constructed ALDI, Green/Summit County

Dan DeHoff 330.499.8153 | ddehoff@dehoff.com | dehoffdevelopment.com FP MetroPlex.indd 1

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Summer 2021

Sectors 30 Nonprofit

Burton D. Morgan’s legacy lives on in namesake foundation

34 Higher Education

Stark State College serves community through affordable, flexible higher education

38 Business Spotlight

Kenan Advantage Group on the front lines delivering fuel, food and resources when needed most

40 Health Care

Regionalism translates to hospitals collaborating to provide patient care

44 Community Spotlight

Features

Adding Jobs in Northeast Ohio MAGNET helps manufacturers increase revenue, create good jobs, improve performance, drive efficiencies 2 Akron-Canton Metroplex

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Front Street has transformed from empty storefronts to boasting boutiques, restaurants and bars

How Akron-Canton Entities Are Working to Put ‘Heads in Beds’ The Akron-Summit and Stark County visitors bureaus and the Akron-Canton Airport are teaming up to drive tourism to the metroplex

46 Business Spotlight

AES Building transforms from industrial relic to office building

48 snapshot

A quick, graphical look at how the Akron-Canton Metroplex is faring

Column 4 Guest Column

Revitalization projects bring new life to downtown

SCMWDP adds to manufacturing labor force, offers career pathways, delivers training and education

Akron Reaches No. 20 in U.S. Housing Market

Manufacturing Redefined

Renato Camacho explains why regional marketing is advantageous to Akron-Canton Airport and other local businesses

On the cover

Breeze Airways is the newest airline to come to Akron-Canton Airport. Photo courtesy Akron-Canton Airport

Photos: clockwise from top, Paul Moskowitz, Akron Video Makers, akronvideomakers.com; Courtesy Stark State; courtesy Akron/Summit Convention & Visitors Bureau

Contents

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388 S. Main St., Suite 720, Akron, Ohio 44311 EDITORIAL EDITOR Kelsey Davis CONTRIBUTORS Aaron Bennett, Fred Cay, Patricia Faulhaber, Collyn Floyd, Karen Hanna, Brian Lisik, Kristi Schweitzer

Photos: clockwise from top, Paul Moskowitz, Akron Video Makers, akronvideomakers.com; Courtesy Stark State; courtesy Akron/Summit Convention & Visitors Bureau

copy editing Becky Meziere ADVERTISING SALES COORDINATOR Darlene Schuring 330-705-9228 dschuring@cantonrep.com DESIGN & PRODUCTION PRODUCTION/DESIGN DIRECTOR Craig Rusnak ART DIRECTOR Alyse Pasternak

Akron-Canton Metroplex is made possible with support from:

REMOTE • OFFICE • COWORKING

YOUR BUSINESS THRIVES

The Manufacturing Advocacy and Growth Network

DOWNTOWN Top 10 U.S. Metro Area *

Lock 4

Startup • Relocate • Expand

AES BUILDING

nomzeatz.c

blaakmedi

Volume 1 / Number 2 Akron-Canton Metroplex is published quarterly by LocaliQ, Gannett Northern Ohio. All contents of this magazine are copyrighted © Gannett Co., Inc. 2021. All Rights Reserved. Reproduction or use, without written permission, of editorial or graphic content in any manner is prohibited. Publisher assumes no responsibility for return of unsolicited materials.

$1.2B in public and private investment 600,000 square feet of retail space 3 million square feet of office space Convenient public transit Beautiful urban living environment

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The Schipper Ltd. / AES Building Where Group, Akron’s leading companies thrive

To provide feedback or share a story idea, send it to metroplex@gannett.com

• • • • •

Site Selection • Business Services info@downtownakron.com 330-374-7676 Ohio &

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103 S. High St., 4th Floor | Akron, OH 44308 | downtownakron.com *ranking by total development projects, population 200K - 1M, Site Selection Magazine, March 2021 photos: Tim Fitzwater, Shane Wynn, Chris Rutan

Summer 2021 \\

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Guest column

Airport encourages collaboration between counties Regional marketing advantageous to Akron-Canton Airport and other local businesses

For the Akron-Canton Metroplex, regional marketing is an essential component that establishes a sense of place while keeping intact the individual cities and townships within our region. With the promotion of shared assets like our valued residents, Interstate 77, higher education institutions, national park/trails, plus Akron-Canton Airport (CAK), local municipalities have come together to form a collaborative partnership for the benefit of the region. The airport encourages this collaboration and is heartened to see these efforts flourishing. These interconnected landscapes, infrastructure and other shared resources are all within 30 minutes of each other, fueling accessibility for the 1.1 million people that call the Akron-Canton region home. Regional marketing can assist local businesses with talent retention and attraction opportunities, as well as exposure to best practices happening locally. Marketing the area also encourages regionalism through access to well-known employers, quality of life amenities and access to the globe through CAK. We have used this concept for our community’s air service story since the inception of the airport. With Stark and Summit counties coming together in 1946 to build an airport to serve the region, the mindset is engrained in our core. The existence of the airport translates to additional jobs, payroll, business growth and expenditures, as well as tax revenues. The availability of air service in our region has been and continues to be one of the top three concerns for site selectors. CAK continues efforts to provide connectivity and access to local corporations. We consistently meet with small, medium and large businesses in the area to collect travel data and forecast future needs. This information is critical for the region’s socioeconomic success and has become our leverage in air-service development. This ability to market the region to an airline through direct contact, conferences and social media platforms places CAK in a favorable position for the benefit of the community. Another item in our toolkit is the state’s Airport Development District (ADD) legislation, which intends to promote both air service and economic 4 Akron-Canton Metroplex

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development through infrastructure and other capital projects. Local businesses can weigh in on the benefits the district provides through infrastructure investment, job creation and talent attraction/retention within a 5-mile radius of CAK. With the newly completed gate modernization project, such initiatives can demonstrate the investment and overall economic development growth opportunities the airport provides. The ADD is a potential revenue stream to be used for capital improvements, maintenance projects and air service incentives. This legislation provides another means to keep our facility modern and safe for the community around us. As we work to restore air service lost due to the pandemic, we are also working on new opportunities to meet the needs of our community. With recent momentum tied to the Akron-Canton Metroplex, we have rallied the community to actively participate in an airline incentive program which leverages state dollars to secure air service. I am proud to say, the community collaboration has paid off, and we are welcoming a brand-new airline to the community, Breeze Airways. Regional marketing played a pivotal role in getting the word out. In this effort, we have been so delighted to see equal participation from both Stark and Summit regions. We are overwhelmingly appreciative to be the subject of such collaboration. With resources that are finite, working closer together as a community allows us to strategically leverage them. Our highway systems allow great access, and we also know that local residents cross county and city lines to work and play. CAK plays a part in collaborating closely with local tourism bureaus and chambers. Through CAK’s Visitor Information Center and events, we continue to market attractions such as the Pro Football Hall of Fame, Cuyahoga Valley National Park and more. Our goal is to market the Akron-Canton Metroplex’s values and priorities so that residents and visitors attracted to the region are aware of our distinctive advantages — our sense of place. There is more to come.  Renato Camacho is the President & CEO of the Akron-Canton Airport

Photo: Courtesy Akron-Canton Airport

By Renato Camacho

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WHY THE AKRON-CANTON METROPLEX? The Greater Akron Chamber and Canton Regional Chamber represent nearly 4,000 businesses in the region. With a population of 1.2 million people, we share common assets, tourist destinations, universities, health care systems, a workforce and even an airport. By working together, we’re developing economic partnerships and collaborating on shared challenges and opportunities to foster regional growth.

LEARN MORE ABOUT THE

INITIATIVES HERE:

Photo: Courtesy Akron-Canton Airport

A larger, stronger, more connected region with greater economic opportunity for all – that’s the Akron-Canton Metroplex.

GREATER AKRON CHAMBER

cantonchamber.org • 330.456.7253

greaterakronchamber.org • 330.376.5550

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g J n o i d

In Northea revenue, create good jobs, improve performance, drive efficiencies By Collyn Floyd

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Illustration: Getty Images

MAGNET helps manufacturers increase

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Illustration: Getty Images

heast Ohio “Our mission is to grow jobs in Northeast Ohio.” That’s the first thing Mike O’Donnell, Vice President of Operations, will tell you about MAGNET (Manufacturing Advocacy and Growth Network). For more than 35 years, the Cleveland-based nonprofit and consulting organization has been providing Northeast Ohio’s small and medium-sized manufacturers with the guidance they need to achieve long-term success. With 63,000 manufacturing jobs in the Akron-Canton Metroplex, manufacturing is a

major driver of the regional economy, generating nearly 17% of the gross regional product in the metroplex. MAGNET is one of six Manufacturing Extension Partnership (MEP) Centers in Ohio and 51 nationwide. Together, they create a national network of public-private partnerships that support manufacturing growth. As Northeast Ohio’s MEP, MAGNET helps manufacturers increase revenue, create good jobs, improve performance and drive efficiencies through Summer 2021 \\

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Growth in the Akron-Canton Metroplex Thanks to Akron-Canton’s strong manufacturing presence, MAGNET has strategically invested in its “southern” counties over the past several years. In downtown Akron, MAGNET opened an office managed by Darlyn McDermott, CLF, director and market leader for MAGNET. McDermott represents nine counties, including Summit and Portage counties. MAGNET also secured a dedicated office within the Canton Regional Chamber of Commerce managed by Janelle Lee, director of client engagement for Stark and eight other counties. Further south, MAGNET added Harry Eadon, president of the Tuscarawas County Economic Development Corporation, to coordinate efforts in Carroll and five other counties. “Depending on the county, our southern leaders have the initial business conversations with company leaders and listen to what’s going on. And what we’re listening for is, ‘Can MAGNET help?’ We then assess what the opportunities are and who internally can implement the work,” says McDermott. “We also look for incentives we can build from an economic development side.” One such client is ASW Supply Chain Services, LLC in Mogadore, Ohio. “We are in the early stages of working with MAGNET on a large barcode scanning and RF Project,” says Nick Mihiylov, president of ASW. “To date, we have found the team very responsive and attentive to our particular needs. We have, with MAGNET’s assistance, broken this project down to a number of phases and to date have completed the first phase with very good results, and now we are in the process of working with them through Phase 2.” In October 2019, MAGNET and the Canton Regional Chamber opened the Innovation & Growth Center at the chamber to showcase innovative manufacturers in Stark and surrounding counties. Haltec Corporation, based 8 Akron-Canton Metroplex

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Photos: Paul Moskowitz, Akron Video Makers, akronvideomakers.com

innovation by offering consulting, incubation and workforce programs. “Small and mid-sized companies represent 70% of the new jobs in manufacturing. We have senior-level industry experts on staff who work with these clients and they see great results, but at affordable rates due to our funding model and community support,” says O’Donnell. “There’s nothing else out there like it.”

Andrew Somrack, Senior Product Development Engineer, MAGNET, using a 3-D Laser Scanner.

in Leetonia, Ohio, is one of the featured companies. “We’ve used MAGNET for several different projects, and all of our results have been very positive. First, we evaluated our old manufacturing facility with spaghetti diagrams to reduce footsteps taken in our operations. At the same time, we were preparing for a move into a new facility, and we worked on both improved manufacturing flow and a complete moving schedule,” says Dave Caruso, executive vice president for Haltec. Workforce Challenges and Opportunities With more than 20,000 manufacturing job postings each year in Northeast Ohio, manufacturers continue to be concerned about the ability to find and hire skilled workers. In MAGNET’s 2020 Northeast Ohio Manufacturing Survey (which was completed pre-COVID-19), 57% of manufacturing companies said that the skilled workforce shortage is hampering their growth as well as 26% who are challenged by retirements of current workers. Smart manufacturers, however, are taking steps to ensure their businesses are great places to work. “When we talk about great work environments, we don’t mean ‘not dangerous,’ but the ability for employees to say, ‘I have what I need to do my job’ or ‘I made a suggestion, and my employer listened.’ We work with clients on what we call ‘engagement’ because data shows it leads to greater satisfaction, less injuries, greater productivity, higher retention rates and even employee referrals,” says O’Donnell. Workforce challenges are also being tackled through Manufacturing Sector Partnerships. Led by manufacturing employers with support from community stakeholders (such as MAG-

MAGNET BY THE NUMBERS:

counties represented in Northeast Ohio

1 of 6

Ohio Manufacturing Extension (MEP) Centers

7,000

manufacturers employing 270,000 people served Manufacturing accounts for

20%

of Northeast Ohio’s gross regional product (GRP) and

17%

of the Akron-Canton Metroplex GRP

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Photos: Paul Moskowitz, Akron Video Makers, akronvideomakers.com

MAGNET and the Canton Regional Chamber of Commerce opened the Innovation & Growth in October 2019 with business and community leaders on-hand to celebrate.

MAGNET’s Innovation & Growth Center at the Canton Regional Chamber of Commerce showcases manufacturing success stories in Stark and surrounding counties

Manufacturing Extension Partnership Centers and Regions Northwest:

West Central:

FULTON

WILLIAMS

WYANDOT CRAWFORD

ALLEN HARDIN

ASHLAND RICHLAND

UNION

FAYETTE

FAIRFIELD

VINTON

HIGHLAND CLERMONT BROWN

PIKE ADAMS

SCIOTO

BELMONT

MONROE

MORGAN HOCKING

ROSS HAMILTON

NOBLE

PERRY

PICKAWAY

CLINTON

GUERNSEY

MUSKINGUM

FRANKLIN MADISON

WARREN

HARRISON

LICKING

GREENE

JEFFERSON

TUSCARAWAS COSHOCTON

DELAWARE

CHAMPAIGN CLARK

PREBLE MONTGOMERY

CARROLL

KNOX

LOGAN

MAHONING

COLUMBIANA

STARK

WAYNE

HOLMES

MORROW

MIAMI

SUMMIT PORTAGE

MEDINA

MARION

AUGLAIZE

SHELBY

TRUMBULL

LORAIN

HURON

HANCOCK

VAN WERT

BUTLER

ERIE

SENECA PUTNAM

GEAUGA

CUYAHOGA

SANDUSKY

WOOD

HENRY

ASHTABULA

LAKE

LUCAS

PAULDING

DARKE

MAGNET

OTTAWA

DEFIANCE

MERCER

Northeast:

CIFT

FASTLANE

WASHINGTON ATHENS MEIGS

JACKSON GALLIA

Central:

Columbus State Community College

LAWRENCE

Southwest:

TechSolve

Southeast:

OSU South Centers

NET, chambers of commerce, economic development groups and workforce development groups), these partnerships seek to collectively promote manufacturing jobs to students and job seekers, offer career pathways and ensure a more robust talent pipeline for employers. Currently, there are 18 Manufacturing Sector Partnerships across Ohio, including two in the metroplex — Conexus, which covers Summit and Portage counties and the Stark County Manufacturing Workforce Development Partnership (SCMWDP). “MAGNET’s involvement has been critical to the formation and ongoing success of the SCMWDP. Janelle Lee has fully immersed herself into this project. MAGNET is involved at the grassroots level, rolling up its sleeves to help “Manufacture Success” with partner companies, communities and industries,” says Thomas Schmidt, vice president of operations at Barbco, Inc., and founding SCMWDP member. COVID-19 Impact & Response When the pandemic hit, MAGNET had to reevaluate how to best serve its clients during an uncertain time. Many manufacturers were on pause as they faced supply chain disruptions, product lines that needed to be diversified or machinery that needed to be retooled to meet product demands. In response to these challenges as well as Governor Mike DeWine’s request for manufacturers to help address the Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) shortage, MAGNET took a lead role to create the Ohio Manufacturing Alliance to Fight COVID-19. The Alliance — which also includes the Ohio Manufacturers’ Association, Ohio Hospital Association, sector partners Summer 2021 \\

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Photos: Paul Moskowitz, Akron Video Makers, akronvideomakers.com

and JobsOhio — worked with manufacturers across the state to secure existing PPE, help them retool to create PPE, and secure raw materials and warehouse space. “We contacted over 2,000 manufacMAGNET staff showing off their in-house Machine Center turers and literally created an internal during an event tour. MAGNET Ohio supply chain where there wasn’t can custom-build machines for one. The Ohio Emergency COVID-19 clients as part of their offerings. Makers’ Exchange website became a place where manufacturers could position their goods or connect with that help augment the cost of certification, others. Ohio companies were outfitting locawhich certainly helps when a company needs tions all over the nation with vital PPE. For to become DoD compliant.” instance, Pioneer Manufacturing in Holmes County manufactured the aluminum cots for Manufacturing Blueprint the Javits Center,” says McDermott. MAGNET’s vision is for Northeast Ohio to As the country reopens, many manufacturlead the world in Smart Manufacturing. ers who diversified themselves during the How do we get there? Enter the Manufacturpandemic have new product lines moving foring Blueprint, MAGNET’s plan to create a ward. MAGNET is also seeing the companies sustainable and equitable future for regional that they helped during the early days of the manufacturing growth. Central to the plan pandemic come to them for additional support. are its four pillars: talent, transformation, One such area is cybersecurity. “Companies innovation and leadership. that are manufacturing military products need “We talked to hundreds of people during this to have the right certification required by the process and formed a council with 20 compaDepartment of Defense to continue to get connies who have been thinking about how the tracts,” says Lee. “We’re doing a lot of work manufacturing community can be sustainable with regional manufacturing companies to be and growing moving forward,” says O’Donnell. DoD cyber compliant.” “Efforts like our sector partnerships and McDermott adds, “MAGNET also has grants apprenticeship programs, widespread adoption of Industry 4.0, leadership transition plans as baby boomers retire … these are just a few of many examples.” The blueprint is both aspirational and practical. COVID-19 illuminated the need for pioneering innovations that can withstand unpredictable disruptions to the economy. The blueprint also addresses the challenge of workplace inequities. MAGNET recognizes that a resilient workforce will reflect the diversity of our cities. MAGNET’s vision is bold. While the MAGNET team has no illusions that the path In August 2018, MAGNET opened a forward will be easy, the opportudowntown Akron office at 9 N. Main St. to better serve southern counnities and resources the region curties within MAGNET’s service area. rently afford give them — and all of us — reason to be excited. \\ Summer 2021

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Photos: Paul Moskowitz, Akron Video Makers, akronvideomakers.com

By Patricia Faulhaber

Akron Reaches

No. 20 in U.S. Housing Market

The Whitelaw building in Akron, July 2020

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Revitalization projects bring new life to downtown

Photos: file/Beacon Journal

There is a new Main Street in town — and it could be one reason the Akron housing market is getting attention from major real estate companies from across the U.S. A report available on Realtor.com shows the Akron area is No. 20 on the list of top 20 hottest real estate markets in the nation. Each month, Realtor.com ranks the hottest U.S. housing markets, and for March 2021, Akron was No. 20 in the rankings. Two factors that are used to determine the top 20 markets are how fast homes are selling in a particular area and how many people are looking online at homes in the area. The Realtor.com site is used by millions of home shoppers across the U.S. The company is associated with the National Association of Realtors, where brokers from both residential and commercial real estate companies are members. The Akron Beacon Journal reported that listed homes in the Akron area were on the market for a median of 31 days, the of viewers for listed properties was above the national average, and the median listing price was $180,000. Akron was one of three Ohio cities on the top 20 list in March. Springfield was ranked as No. 5 and Columbus came in at No. 19. Revitalization Projects Energizing Downtown One of the reasons people are so interested in Akron could be the many revitalization projects taking place on Main Street and surrounding streets in the downtown area. According to DowntownAkron.com, in the past 10 years, the city along with other real estate investors have been investing millions of dollars in renovations of historic buildings and adding new facilities to upgrade the downtown to make it a state-of-the-art city. The site lists close to 30 projects that have been completed. Projects such as revamping and reusing the old O’Neil’s building for office and entertainment space. The Akron Civic Center had a 16-month-long restoration and expansion project in 2001. More than $19 million was spent on bringing the theater up to modern performance standards and restoring its infrastructure. Another building reuse project was the Hermes Building where more than $800,000

was invested to renovate the historic building into offices and an art boutique. One of the latest building reuse projects is the Bowery Project along Main Street. Akron is on trend with revitalizing and reusing its older and many times abandoned buildings. Such practices have been taking place across the U.S. for decades.

What was Old and Abandoned is Now New and Upscale RENTCafe.com reports that in the past 70 years, almost 2,000 old buildings have been converted into apartments with 800 of those conversations taking place in the past decade. It also lists old factories as the most popular building type to be converted into rentals with office buildings being the most common in the past decade. Other types of older, big buildings converted into living and working spaces include hotels, churches, schools, health care buildings, warehouses, military buildings and even old funeral homes. The site also reports, “Along with changing economic needs and trends, the types of buildings turned into apartments have also changed over time. From the ’50s through the ’90s, hotels were the most common type of building to be converted into apartments. Then, in the 2000s, it was mostly factories that became apartments. Finally, in the 2010s, offices were the most common structures to be turned into rentals.”

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Whitelaw's Cafe, June 1965

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The Bowery Project Brings People Home The Bowery Project is one of those conversion projects in downtown Akron. It was started with a $42 million investment to restore and rehabilitate six historic downtown Akron buildings into what is now known as the Bowery District. The project was started in 2018 with leading developers and city visionaries making the investment. With fashionable apartments alongside Akron’s newest cultural, dining and work opportunities, the Bowery District is publicized as “so much more than just a place to live.” The upscaled Bowery District neighborhood includes the 12-story Landmark Building, which offers 92 luxury apartments. It is the cornerstone of the development located at the corner of South Main Street and Bowery Street. The Bowery District also offers 36,000 square feet of retail space and 4,000 square feet of office space across multiple buildings. According to BoweryDistrict.com, the project began with the idea of building out the area known as Akron’s South Main Street. It didn’t take long for bigger goals and visions to be realized to preserve and celebrate the long history of downtown Akron. The site reports, “With these goals in mind, the buildings have all been adapted for modern usage while keeping historic details in place. Today, each apartment within the Bowery District offers luxury and modern amenities at every turn. You’ll find finishes like quartz countertops and porcelain tiles — all showcased alongside large historical windows that give views of the revitalized city below.” Renters can select from studio, one- or twobedroom or penthouse suites from 28 unique floor plans. The suites range in size from 483 square foot to 1,475 square feet. Just a few of the amenities in the suites include designer tiled backsplashes, stainless steel appliances, espresso-finish cabinetry, brushed nickel hardware, modern fixtures and plank flooring. Open living floor plans, available attached covered parking, year-round social events and activities, a community room, a fitness center, secure indoor bike storage and being pet friendly are a few more of the amenities available. Views of the downtown area, Lock 3 and 4 and Main Street are big draws for renters. Within walking distance are the Akron Civic Center, coffee shops, shopping, banks and grocery stores. Within a short distance, residents can find the Ohio & Erie Canal Towpath Trail leading to access to the Cuyahoga Valley National Park.

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Scenes from the Bowery Project: Top left, A 2019 tour of the Bowery redevelopment; top right, workers from Welty Building Company in 2020; middle left, Bowery Project progress in 2019; middle right, The Law Building redevelopment in 2020; bottom left, Dave Pyott, senior project manager for Welty Building Co., in the Landmark Building during a 2019 tour of the Bowery redevelopment; bottom, right, Lock 3 Park in Downtown Akron

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Photos: file/Beacon Journal

A Bright Future for the Akron Housing Market A blog posted on Norada Real Estate Investments reports there is a 77% chance that housing prices in Akron will continue to go up through 2021. The third quarter of 2021 is projected to see higher home prices than what they were in the third quarter of 2018. Norada continued with its report writing that more than 66% of the homes in Akron are single-family detached homes. Other types of prevalent housing included large apartment complexes, duplexes and a few row houses and other attached homes. The site also reports that 49.61% of the residents own their home while 50.39% rent. Norada recommends real estate investors consider a number of factors when looking to invest in the Akron area including the six listed below: • The average home price is less than 150% of the median home price in the country. In other words, even the expensive homes in the Akron real estate market are affordable when compared to the national standards. • Accessibility of multi-family homes such as townhouses and condos. • A diversified economy with jobs in health care, education, manufacturing and other high-paying job sectors. • The University of Akron provides a large student population. • The opportunity for redevelopment with properties available for renovation and reuse. • Neighborhoods with high appreciation rates. Norada listed areas such as Brown Street/Crouse Street, South Akron, City Center, West Akron Cross Street/Grant Street, Portage Lakes, Memorial Parkway/ Cuyahoga Street, N. Revere Road/Woodsmill Road, Copley Junction and the University of Akron Main Campus/E. Market Street that have had real estate with the highest appreciation rates. The future looks bright for those looking to invest in real estate or become an urban resident in Akron. Location, location, location remain the three best known secrets of the real estate market. And, according to several national real estate market companies, Akron has all three of those secrets covered as well as having in-demand and desirable amenities, lower cost of living, entertainment, culture and so much more.

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Manufacturing r e d e fi n e d SCMWDP adds to manufacturing labor force, offers career pathways, delivers training and education By Patricia Faulhaber

Residents living in the Akron-Canton Metroplex region may not realize how important manufacturing is in the area. In Stark County alone, there are close to 550 manufacturers who employ 26,000 people. Summit County has 1,000 manufacturers employing 30,000 people. With the average salary reported for manufacturing jobs in northeast Ohio at $72,000 a year, manufacturers provide the most wages of any industry category in Stark County, according to MAGNET’s 2019 NEO Manufacturing Survey. The survey also concludes that in Northeast Ohio, manufacturing drives more than 45% of the economy by creating 3.6 other support type jobs for every one manufacturing job. James Batchelder is the president of M.K. Morse Company, a 50-plus-year-old saw blade and accessories manufacturer in Canton, and is also the president of the newly formed Stark County Manufacturing Workforce Development Partnership (SCMWDP). “Manufacturing support jobs such as truck drivers, steel producers, packaging material manufacturers, computer support and others that are upstream in the manufacturing process become available when manufacturing is supported,” Batchelder says. Unfortunately, manufacturers are experiencing hindered growth because they are finding it difficult to add qualified people to their teams. In efforts to address the labor shortage, promote today’s manufacturing jobs and change the perception of what manufacturing is, a core group of manufacturers located in Canton, Massillon, Alliance, Louisville and other Stark County communities have come together to form the SCMWDP. About SCMWDP The SCMWDP is one of 18 industry sector partnerships that make up a statewide network of manufacturing workforce development stakeholders coordinated by the Ohio Manufacturers’

Illustration: Getty Images

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nies to come together” made it a good time to start the SCMWDP. Participating member manufacturers are finding the Stark County community to be full of resources among workforce development professionals, economic development organizations, educators and community-based organizations. These organizations round out the partnership and will be key players to getting more people interested in manufacturing careers in efforts to solve the labor shortage that is bridling manufacturers’ growth. Some of the benefits for Stark County manufacturers participating in the SCMWDP include: • Building a more powerful voice in the industry and impacting policy regarding manufacturing. • Attracting funding. • Helping manufacturers fill jobs more quickly and creating a pipeline of future workers. • Influencing training programs in manufacturing and skilled labor. • Being a mechanism for ongoing feedback with various education, training and workforce programs. • Bettering placement, earnings/benefits, retention and productivity. • Building manufacturer to manufacturer networking and source of best practices.

Photo: Julie Botos / Repository File

Workers stack rub rail at Gregory Industries in October 2020.

Association. The Partnership was formed by local manufacturers through the cooperative efforts of Barb Bennett at the Canton Regional Chamber of Commerce, John A. McLaughlin at the Stark Economic Development Board and Janelle Lee at MAGNET. The goal is to support Stark County manufacturers’ expansion by growing the manufacturing labor force, offering career pathways, delivering training and education and sharing best practices within the manufacturing workforce development community. McLaughlin is the vice president of business growth for the Stark Economic Development Board (SEDB). He says, “I think it is vitally important that this group has formed.” “When we identified some of the systemic issues to address in the county and when we looked at neighboring counties, we realized those counties had sector partnerships. We looked at Mahoning Valley, who has a well-established sector partnership which was formed with the help of the Ohio Manufacturing Association. They had a template for others to follow, and that is what we did, followed that model. Bringing a manufacturing sector partnership together was always centered around the systemic need to find talent for local manufacturers to employ.” He adds that the “timing, opportunity and the desire of owners of the manufacturing compa-

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Barbco Inc., HP Products, Lindsay Precast and The M.K. Morse Co. are the founding members of the SCMWDP. Other members include: • • • • • • • • • • • • • • •

Biery Cheese E-Tank ESMET Gregory Industries Harrison Paints Hendrickson International Howmet Aerospace Kock-Knight Midlake Products & Manufacturing MT Systems Ohio Gratings Old Wood, Ltd. Omniety Innovations, Inc. Professional Detailing Products Stark Industrial, LLC

Photo: Scott Heckel / Repository File

Photo: Julie Botos / Repository File

Bennett, vice president of education/workforce at the Canton Regional Chamber of Commerce writes, “The SCMWDP was formed out of the mutual acknowledgement that manufacturing is an important industry to Stark County and Northeast Ohio. “Manufacturing represents 26,000 jobs in Stark County and over 15% of the local economy. I’ve conducted quite a bit of research regarding workforce development issues through the U.S. Chamber of Commerce, Team NEO reports, Jobs Ohio and the Ohio Manufacturer’s Association. The Canton Regional Chamber of Commerce, MAGNET and the SEDB came together by coordinating our economic development efforts and recruiting a select group of visionary leaders of manufacturing employers with the concept to collectively address workforce issues as an industry.” Changing Perceptions One reason it is so difficult to find qualified people to hire at local manufacturing companies is the misperception of what manufacturing looks like today. Bennett writes, “I think there is a shortage in the manufacturing workforce as the industry has not been able to remind the up-and-coming workforce that manufacturing is a viable career pathway. In addition, parents who are influencers, may not be aware of the changes that have taken place in manufacturing as many production lines are very clean and require technical training. “Lastly, finding a workforce to fill available open positions is a national phenomenon as reported in national news outlets. As of this writing, Ohio Means Jobs reports there are 495 open manufacturing positions in Stark County. As an example, four companies in the

SCMWDP show close to 80 open positions in their operations. “In trying to capture 4,500 graduating high school seniors in Stark County, the SCMWDP developed a flier to promote interest in available jobs and career pathways. There are hundreds of graduating students that are not enrolled in higher education, are not in a career tech program and are not joining the military. Manufacturing may be a perfect fit for these students still trying to figure out their path in life.” Bennett adds that the message is many production lines in manufacturing are highly technical, precision based and clean. There are always opportunities to advance through manufacturing for those with the propensity and desire to acquire more skills and education. Many, if not most employers will gladly assist if not pay for advanced training and education for their employees. The SCMWDP group will be marketing to students by: • Holding manufacturing camps. • Hosting a manufacturing day with open houses for students and parents and employers. • Serving on business advisory councils with career tech schools and higher educations. • Celebrating manufacturing “signing days” for students entering manufacturing employment. • Participating in career exploration fairs such as the Junior Achievement Inspire Virtual Career Fair, sponsor robotics clubs, mentoring, job shadowing and other student interactive opportunities. Summer 2021 \\

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Alan Oakes of MRO Built manufactures assemble Pack-N-Go desk shields that can be used by students to keep their desk areas clean.

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Doug Gehring, production manager at Lindsay Precast, guides one of 63 concrete televisions into place with the help of a crane as artist Katherine Stanek watches.

Batchelder agreed with Bennett, “We are trying to change how people see manufacturing and that manufacturers have worked very hard to clean up how they produce products and do business. We lost a lot of that skilled labor when businesses like the steel and tire companies closed. Many people in manufacturing left the area when those companies closed.” Lee agrees. Lee is the director of client engagement for MAGNET in Stark County. She says that today’s manufacturing “is not like your grandfather’s manufacturing job where the work was done in a dark and dingy environment.” “We are promoting today’s manufacturing jobs which provide a good lifestyle. Today’s manufacturing includes technical jobs like robotics, welding, technicians and others across the entire production line. The Stark County Partnership group is a great resource group for all manufacturers in Stark County. It’s a way for all the manufacturers to network, talk and share best practices in order to grow manufacturing in the county and the metroplex region,” Lee says. McLaughlin says, “Manufacturing today is clean and highly technical, and it requires a lot of skill, precision, intelligence and creativity, and I think that is often overlooked when people are choosing careers.” How to Get Involved Batchelder encourages all Stark County manufacturers who are finding it difficult to add to their team to join in the efforts of the partnership. “Members of the partnership have faced these challenges and are willing to share their experiences. We also work with the other industry sector partnerships endorsed by the Ohio Manufacturers’ Association to learn best practices. For example, the Mahoning Valley

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Manufacturing in the Akron-Canton Metroplex Workforce development in manufacturing and other industry sectors is important to the Akron-Canton Metroplex as it will expand as the jobs increase. McLaughlin says that the Akron-Canton Metroplex area will benefit from expanding manufacturing because, “Overcoming the perception of what manufacturing is will attract people to manufacturing careers. In addition to the entry level positions that are open, there are career development opportunities. People will identify that this is a career with plenty of upward mobility. With the partnership, we’ll have an entity that is trying to inform the local colleges and universities and high school programs as to what students need in skillsets to make them successful in manufacturing so that the students will be better postured to begin careers in manufacturing. “In the long game, there is the potential with a unified voice of being able to shape and inform policy decisions when it comes to manufacturing, not just locally but in the region and the state.” Bennett agrees increasing the number of manufacturing jobs and adding more manufacturers is a win-win for the industry sector and the Akron-Canton Metroplex regions. She writes, “There is power in numbers when recruiting businesses and a workforce to a region. And together, the Akron-Canton Metroplex has more population, more businesses, more entertainment options … just more of everything when we consider the larger combined geographic area. “The positive economic impact of replenishing and increasing manufacturing employment in the Metroplex means more wages in goodpaying jobs in our area, more spending on goods and services and a stronger overall economy.”

Photo: Kevin Whitlock / Repository File

Manufacturers Coalition celebrates 10 years this fall — we have already learned from their efforts,” Batchelder says. He went on to say, “If you are an educator in Stark County and want to link your students to good-paying manufacturing careers in Stark County, we encourage you to participate in the partnership. Member manufacturers stand ready to offer plant tours, to visit classrooms or provide internships to your students. “If you are a community-based organization and want to link your job seekers to manufacturing jobs in Stark County, we encourage you to participate in the partnership. Manufacturers will present to your clients on what working in manufacturing is like, help with resume writing and discuss opportunities in manufacturing.”

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HELP US FEED OUR NEIGHBORS IN NEED. Photo: Kevin Whitlock / Repository File

This summer, 1 in 6 children may struggle with hunger. No family should have to choose between nourishing food and other essential expenses. You can make a direct impact on our neighbors in need. Donate at akroncantonfoodbank.org today. $1 = 4 meals

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How Akron-Canton Entities

Photo: Courtesy Akorn-Canton Airport

Are Working to

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ing to Put

Photo: Courtesy Akorn-Canton Airport

‘Heads in Beds’ The Akron-Summit and Stark County visitors bureaus and the Akron-Canton Airport are teaming up to drive tourism to the metroplex. By Aaron Bennett

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roponents of the Akron-Canton Metroplex often promote the idea that there is power in numbers. The more people who live in a given region, for example, the greater their economic impact. Higher populations lead to a stronger job market, an increased tax base for cities to fund public works projects and serve as a magnet to businesses that see the opportunity to grow. Combined, the Akron and Canton Metropolitan Statistical Areas are home to 1.1 million residents, making it the 50th largest metro market in the U.S. While the size of this figure might surprise those unfamiliar to the area, Ohioans who live within the Akron-Canton Metroplex have long known about the region’s many destinations and amenities that continue to attract visitors both nationally and from other parts of the state.

Photo: Courtesy Akron/Summit Convention & Visitors Bureau

Working Together to Promote Tourism Tourism provides substantial economic impact to the Akron-Canton area. According to the

Downtown Akron

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most recent economic study conducted by the Oxford Economics Company in 2019, tourism and travel generated $1.8 billion in business sales in Stark County. In Summit County, a 2020 study from Tourism Economics found that direct visitor expenditures (including accommodations, dining, retail, entertainment and transportation) totaled $1.6 billion. These figures are in part due to the successful efforts from the Akron/Summit Convention & Visitors Bureau (ASCVB) and the Stark County Convention & Visitors’ Bureau (Visit Canton), which work together to promote local tourism as a way to bolster economic growth and development. Funded entirely by a percentage of the bed tax collected from visitors staying in each respective county, both the ASCVB and Visit Canton are self-sustaining organizations, and their sole purpose is to attract new people (and therefore business) to their respective areas. “Our goal is to attract visitors into the area, whether that’s a day trip and certainly overnight, which can bring three to four times more income into an area,” says Tonja Marshall, Executive Vice President of Marketing

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Photos: top, Courtesy Visit Canton; Bottom, Courtesy Akorn-Canton Airport

Photo: Courtesy Akron/Summit Convention & Visitors Bureau

Downtown Canton

& Communication for Visit Canton. “What we’re looking to do is introduce new dollars into the economy that otherwise wouldn’t be spent here.” James Mahon II, Vice President of Marketing & Brand Management at ASCVB, believes his organization has an identical mission. In essence, he sees it as their job to put “heads in beds.” “That could be through leisure travelers who are just coming to visit friends and family, but certainly efforts are made around the contiguous states, and certainly when it’s appropriate we can also have a national message as well,” Mahon says.

Breeze Airways

A Tourism Hub This national message is bolstered thanks to the Akron-Canton Airport (CAK), which serves as an important hub connecting out-of-state travelers to the Akron-Canton area. According to Renato Camacho, President & Chief Executive Officer of CAK, the airport is a crucial asset to Summer 2021 \\

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Soap Box Derby

Blossom Music Center

Akron Zoo

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Photos: Courtesy Akron/Summit Convention & Visitors Bureau

the local economy and promotes the tourism and hospitality industries in our area by providing easy and affordable service to air travelers. “The Akron-Canton Airport offers a convenient way for out-of-state residents to visit family, friends or discover new parts of the Akron-Canton region,” Camacho says. “As we continue to work with our airline partners to retain and attract routes, we also create opportunities to retain and attract workforce talent. An increased talent pool improves the local economy by creating jobs, increases the local tax base and allows businesses to flourish through global connectivity.” CAK recently added to this list of growing airline partners in May of this year, when the airport announced Breeze Airways, a new budget airline started by JetBlue Founder David Neeleman, would begin offering direct flights to Charleston, South Carolina; Tampa, Florida; and New Orleans, Louisiana. “Our job is to get travelers quickly and affordably to the places they want to go most, and we know that’s through nonstop service,” says Lisa Dalpiaz, Vice President of Marketing & Air Service Development for CAK. Behind the scenes, CAK had been working with Breeze Airways since the company’s inception. By providing travel and search data to the airline’s established data sources, the two parties identified stand-out destinations that represented both the top leisure destinations from Northeast Ohio and for some of the airport’s largest corporate neighbors. While 2020 was a historically difficult year for the airline industry, in 2019, more than 830,000 passengers traveled through CAK, and the airport is confident air traffic this year will return to pre-pandemic levels as the U.S. continues its COVID-19 recovery.

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Popular Akron and Summit County Destinations 91 271 480

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Hale Farm & Village As a historic property of the Western Reserve Historical Society, visitors to Hale Farm & Village are transported back to the early 1800s and are greeted by costumed actors who play the part of people who lived and worked during the 19th century.

Cuyahoga Valley National Park

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With more than 125 miles of hiking trails, the Cuyahoga Valley National Park is Ohio’s only national park and is consistently among the top 15 most visited national parks in the country.

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Cuyahoga Valley Scenic Railroad As the only excursion train that goes through the heart of a national park in the country, the Cuyahoga Valley Scenic Railroad offers passengers a variety of different themed train rides which include wine and beer tastings, and even a murder mystery event where participants play as suspects and detectives to solve the crime.

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Photos: Courtesy Akron/Summit Convention & Visitors Bureau

Stan Hywet Hall & Gardens This historic 65-room Tudor Revival Manor House was the former country estate of F.A. Seiberling, who cofounded the Goodyear Tire and Rubber Company. Tours of the building are open to the public, and visitors also can enjoy the 70 acres of historic gardens throughout the property.

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The Akron Civic Theatre Built in 1929, this cultural landmark features live music and theatrical performances spanning from national shows to local talent.

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The Akron Art Museum With free admission to the public, the Akron 43 Art Museum is home to one of the most prestigious collections of modern art in the country and throughout the year offers a rotating list 43of exhibitions.

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Popular Stark County Destinations 241

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Gervasi Vineyard 43

Hartville

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Cuyahoga Valley National Park

The city of Hartville is home to the world’s largest hardware store and flea market, featuring 12 acres of outdoor vendor space featuring everything from comic books to antiques.

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62 687

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172 30 21 62

Pro Football Hall of Fame

McKinley Presidential Library & Museum

Established in 1963, the Pro Football Hall of Fame honors football’s greatest and most iconic players. Filled with rare artifacts and memorabilia, this museum is truly a football lover’s dream.

Visitors to the McKinley Presidential Library & Museum are treated to an interactive science center, a historical library, a planetarium and a presidential museum dedicated to our 25th president.

One Common Goal To Marshall and Mahon, each traveler who uses CAK has the potential to visit some of the many destinations within the Akron-Canton Metroplex and support the local economy. It’s for this reason that both view the airport as an essential collaborative partner when it comes to promoting local tourism. “Before the shutdown, we had just completed a renovation of our shared space within the Akron-Canton Airport,” Marshall says. “For decades, we have cooperatively operated the 28 Akron-Canton Metroplex

visitor center and have provided information, staff training and financial support [to facilitate] its operation.” Originally launched in the 1990s, this shared space in the airport, known as the visitor information center (VIC), is a resource for travelers who want to learn more about the area. “The VIC acts as an educational asset for travelers to discover all that the Canton/Stark and Akron/Summit regions have to offer including museums, dining, entertainment and outdoor recreation,” Camacho says. “While the VIC has

Photos: Courtesy Visit Canton

The Cuyahoga Valley National Park also extends into Stark County, and by traveling along the Tuscarawas River, visitors will discover Canal Fulton and St. Helena III, a working replica of a canal-era freight barge that provides round trips to Lock 4 Park.

This 55-acre estate is home to a distillery, a vineyard, several restaurants, luxury accommodations and a beautiful lake that is connected to the Stark Parks trail system.

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619

Centennial Plaza

A New Starting Line Because of COVID-19, both Marshall and Mahon say the visitor centers have not

been able to promote their respective regions the ways they would have liked this past year. However, with COVID-19 positivity rates continuing to decrease, and various health and safety mandates being lifted, more and more people are starting to travel again. “I think we’re excited to be at a point, post-pandemic, to be at a new starting line, Marshall says. While ASCVB and Visit Canton each serve specific stakeholders and constituents unique to their respective geographic areas, they both understand that in many ways, the success of one region impacts the success of the other. “I know that when I personally travel, I don’t know what county I’m in, [n]or do I care,” Mahon says. “Why wouldn’t we want people coming to Akron to go to the Pro Football Hall of Fame? Conversely, why wouldn’t you want somebody new to experience the Stan Hywet Hall & Gardens or the Cuyahoga Valley National Park and its Scenic Railroad? Whenever there’s an opportunity to blur the geographical line with a louder voice, we do.”

Photos: Courtesy Visit Canton

Located in downtown Canton and built to celebrate the 100th birthday of the National Football League, this beautiful plaza is full of public art and features a pavilion with a performance stage used for live musical performances and events.

been a treasured part of the airport for years, in 2019, the facility underwent a renovation to meet the needs of the modern traveler.” The $175,000 renovation was a shared expense between CAK, ASCVB and Visit Canton and included a smart TV monitor used for welcome messages and promotional material, as well as new shelving, display cases, flooring and a welcome desk. In a press release published on CAK’s website on January 20, 2020, Camacho reiterated the common goals shared by the three organizations. “We look forward to deepening our longstanding partnerships with the Akron/Summit CVB and Visit Canton, both of which are so valuable for our customers,” Camacho said. “Creating a unified presence for the AkronCanton area is vital in educating potential inbound travelers of the region’s many assets and worthiness. And as tourism numbers increase, demand for air service increases, so it’s a win-win situation for the entire region.”

Clockwise from left, Hartville Flea Market; Downtown Canton; MAPS Air Museum

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Nonprofits

SkyHack (Innovation Hackathon) Event at Kent State University

Helping to make a difference Burton D. Morgan’s legacy lives on in namesake foundation

The spirit of its founder lives on in the Burton D. Morgan Foundation. Burton D. Morgan possessed a combination of skills that the current trustees seek when awarding grants to the new generation of budding entrepreneurs. Imagination, persistence and maybe most of all — courage — are primary attributes. Morgan had all that and more during the time of the Great Depression when good jobs were hard to come by. He found one of those after graduating from Purdue University with a degree in mechanical engineering in 1938. But just getting a job was never what he was about. Each success was a means to his next venture and the ones after that. 30 Akron-Canton Metroplex

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Some businesses were successful; “Sometimes in his control, someothers were not. Eventually his hard times out of his control, and put all work paid off in a big way, and he the pieces together to make things grew from entrepreneur to philanthrohappen. To build businesses, to propist, starting the foundation mote products and to crethat still bears his name 54 ate wealth. And then he years later. very generously contribIt was a modest enterprise uted much of that wealth, at first, but one with large through Burton D. Morgan ambitions, now with assets Foundation and through exceeding $200 million. his wife’s foundation called “Burt was the quintesPeg’s Foundation.” sential entrepreneur,” says Hoover says Peg’s FoundaBurton D. Morgan Deborah Hoover, foundation tion focuses its resources on president and chief executive officer. mental health, the arts and education. “He was not afraid to experiment and Starting with the Morgan Foundato try new things. He took intelligent, tion in 2000, Hoover became secretary, well-informed risks. And he used the then treasurer and then vice president. resources that were available to him. She replaced John Frank as president

Photos: Courtesy Burton D. Morgan FOundation

By Fred Cay

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Photo: Courtesy Burton D. Morgan FOundation

and CEO on January 1, 2007, as Frank’s For Morgan, his initial investment hand-picked successor. of $50,000 turned into $5 million. He “[Morgan] was innovative and bold,” decided to apply some of his newHoover says. “Burt was always one to found wealth and start a foundation see an opportunity in something that to promote understanding and comothers could see as a negative. He munication among various peoples of would see it as a positive and worked the world. Burton D. Morgan Founhis way out of it, and started his career dation was officially founded on as an entrepreneur.” November 16, 1967. Hoover says “grit and perMorgan hired Frank, an severance” are the key qualiAkron bank vice president, ties of an entrepreneur. as his first president and “It doesn’t come easily,” CEO in 1976, who would she says. “He may have made hold that position for the it look easy at times, but it next 30 years. Frank ran the was tough going.” foundation out of his home And he was “generous” with office for 10 years. The busiDeborah Hoover others, sharing his resources ness then leased space from as well as his knowledge, serving as a a downtown Akron law firm. mentor to would-be entrepreneurs. Morgan sought to relocate the headIn one venture, Morgan and a friend quarters to his adopted hometown invested in a company to make packof Hudson. After his death in 2003 aging film. They devised a clear wrapat age 86, the foundation negotiated like material that kept ground meats purchase of the Hudson Library and red and fresh-looking in stores. In adjacent Baldwin House. 1967, the company was sold to R.J. The renovated library became the Reynolds Tobacco Company. foundation office in 2006, and the

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Nonprofits

2021 Collegiate Entrepreneurship Grants Baldwin Wallace University

up to

$225,000

To support LaunchNET BWU programming* Case Western Reserve University

up to

$280,042

To support LaunchNET CWRU programming* John Carroll University

up to

$302,265

To support LaunchNET JCU programming* Kent State University Foundation

up to

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To support LaunchNET KSU programming* Lorain County Community College Foundation

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To support LaunchNET LCCC programming* Total: $1,495,907 * two years

Baldwin House was leased by the Hudson Community Foundation. Assets of the foundation are resources donated by Morgan over the years and investments, as well as from his estate, along with occasional contributions from others. “I’m very keen to stick to what he wanted for this foundation so that we achieve his vision,” Hoover says. The foundation’s mission fosters free enterprise through grantmaking, ecosystem building and knowledge sharing. Hoover and a board of seven trustees determine who gets the grants, which fall into four basic categories: adult entrepreneurship, youth entrepreneurship, collegiate entrepreneurship and Hudson, community and emergency grants. The foundation has eight full-time employees (one part-time), and all have had to deal with the same kind of pandemic restrictions as everywhere else. Hoover called it “a very difficult year.” “I’m extremely proud of our team that everybody was resilient,” she says. “Just kept at it, and we found ways to work, and a lot of those ways we will stick with going forward.” Hoover says it was a “very busy year,” particularly in the number of unanticipated emergency grants.

With some semblance of normal returning to daily life, she is preparing for an event in 2022 when the foundation is scheduled to host a national university entrepreneurship conference in Cleveland. Hoover says it would include an activity at the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame and site visits to various universities in the area focusing on their entrepreneurship programs. Frank, who also served as an Akron city councilman from 1978-98, helped increase the foundation’s assets from $414,000 to $140 million during his 30 years in charge until 2006. He retired as a trustee in 2011. “They invested everything in technology stocks, with a good investment manager,” Frank says. “And you didn’t buy bonds. That still works out today. It’s simple. You hope the investments you make will grow.” Frank still remains active and says he has been involved with 33 nonprofits at various times. And he says he is proud of his time with the Morgan Foundation. “We grew the foundation, and it did make a difference in the community,” he says. “Burt’s spirit is still with us. The money he made is still doing good and helping make a difference.”

2021 youth Entrepreneurship Grants Buckeye Local School District

$45,000

To train and coach at least 30 educators on the Korda method

up to

$136,920 For Enspire 2021 Total: $181,920

2021 Hudson, Community, & Emergency Grants City of Hudson

Enspire Conference K-12 Entrepreneurship Educators

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$1,200

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Photo: Courtesy Burton D. Morgan FOundation

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Higher Education

Going Farther Stark State College serves community through affordable, flexible higher education

When it comes to higher education, Stark State College strives to offer quality education at an affordable price with flexible program locations for its diverse student population. The student-centered comprehensive community college has been meeting the educational and career needs of Northeast Ohio students and businesses for more than 60 years, serving to bring cross-county communities together. “We are known for our low tuition, for our associate degrees and certificates that you can achieve quickly,” says Robyn Steinmetz, director of marketing and communications at Stark State College. “(Students receive) a hands-on experience and get to work right away in in-demand fields in our local area.” As a school with a longstanding history of helping the workforce and students both Stark, Summit and surrounding counties, Stark State relates to the Akron-Canton Metroplex and believes it is a beneficial tool for the region. “It’s a great concept to really show that we’re one,” says Marisa Rohn, vice president of advancement, human resources and partnerships at Stark State. “We’re helping move people forward in both communities, so we really like the concept. We think that if we bring that to the area, that’s going to help everybody rise up.” As a community college, Stark State offers more than 230 degrees or certificates for a wide range of career pathways. Students have the opportunity to advance their careers in business, education, engineering technologies, health and human services, information technologies, liberal arts, mathematics and sciences. Students typically earn a two-year associate’s degree or a one-year certificate, Steinmetz says. For those looking for a couple add-on courses to better their job performance, Stark 34 Akron-Canton Metroplex

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State also offers a Career Enhancement Certificate. “We have lots of people that come in and want something very short term or hands-on that can get them to work right away,” Steinmetz says. “And we have a lot of people that come in and want a good foundation and take maybe two years and then decide to transfer for a bachelor’s degree.” As a public commuter college offering courses to supplement local career needs, Stark State receives a wide range of students from all walks of life. With an average student age of 27, students attend full- and part-time, some while working. “About 70% of our students are working while attending college,” Steinmetz says. “About 35% are actually working full-time.” With busy schedules, students benefit from the convenience of the col-

lege’s multiple locations and online programs. The majority of students come from Stark, Summit and surrounding counties, working to obtain degrees and certificates to further their career in their local job market. Stark State’s main campus is located in North Canton adjacent to Kent State University at Stark. The convenience of its location, along with its satellite centers and off-campus program sites in Akron, Barberton, Downtown Canton and other locations, draw in students from across county lines. In fact, Stark State has seen its Summit County enrollment number tip the scale due to the reopening of its Akron campus, Rohn says. Stark State has grouped its vast number of degrees and certificates into Career Communities, which narrow the focus for students considering their options. There is no standard

Photo: Courtesy Stark State

By Kristi Schweitzer

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Photo: Courtesy Stark State

Students walk to class on campus. A commuter community college, Stark State is the largest among five colleges and universities in Stark County.

pathway or program more popular than another. “It depends on what they’re looking for,” Rohn says. “Our students’ end goal really cross all program areas, all degrees … Typically when students come to Stark State, they’re coming for that quality affordable education, but they’re coming pretty much knowing which path they want to take.” Taking advantage of a Stark State’s low tuition of $179.60 per credit, students get to stretch their dollars to meet their unique educational goals. In addition to its affordable tuition, Stark State has a Stark State College Foundation that provides scholarships for students, including its Lamplighter Emergency Fund, which provides emergency funds to students experiencing a personal crisis. Some people choose Stark State as a way to save money while continuing Summer 2021 \\

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Higher Education

on to a four-year bachelor’s degree. “We have seen an increase in our transfer students over the years,” Rohn says. “More and more students are seeing this as an affordable pathway to a four-year degree.” Stark State has transfer partnerships with local colleges and universities both in the public and private sectors. “We have more than 30 partnerships with different local colleges and universities around here that offer that nice seamless pathway,” Steinmetz says. “Students can come here, take the classes that they need, and they will transfer neatly into a bachelor’s degree in another school, so they can save the money and their tuition dollars.” Stark State’s biggest transfer partnerships are with Kent State University and the University of Akron, Steinmetz says. In 2018, Stark State and the University of Akron established Direct Connect, a program designed to give students a smooth transition from Stark State to Akron. Students on the transfer path are assigned an academic advisor from both colleges to make sure classes meet both current and future pathways. In 2020, Stark State developed a pre-med transfer partnership with Northeast Ohio Medical University (NEOMED). Students can earn an associate’s degree in science, plus 14 extra credit hours before being directly admitted into NEOMED’s doctoral program. “We’ve had quite a success rate of students that are accepted and complete that pharmacy program and become pharmacists in less than two years with that pathway,” Rohn says. In addition, Stark State offers hundreds of online courses along with 23 fully online degrees and 14 fully online certificates. In April 2020, the college was even named among the top 50 community colleges nationwide for online learning by College Consensus. Stark State continues to refine its programs to offer degrees and certificates based on the local job market. The college meets with its employee council to keep tabs on needs of the community and potential business partnerships. For example, Stark State has an employer-lead partnership with Akron Children’s Hospital, a career launch 36 Akron-Canton Metroplex

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Stark State College

14,411

Main Campus 6200 Frank Ave. NW, North Canton, Ohio 330-494-6170, 1-800-797-8275 StarkState.edu

annual, unduplicated credit students (based on 2020 academic year)

Founded: 1960 Accreditation: Stark State is accredited by the Higher Learning Commission and is a member of the North Central Association of Colleges and Schools.

230+

degrees and certificates offered

Student Profile:

average age of students

60% female students 35% full time

40% male

65% part time

40% from Summit County

23% Core student breakdown by county

37% from Stark County

program that allows entry-level hospital employees and community members to work while earning a degree or certificate at no cost. Cleveland Clinic Mercy Medical’s Grow With Us program offers a similar pathway through Stark State. Similarly, FirstEnergy in Akron started a program partnership called Educate to Elevate with Stark State and the University of Akron that offers on-site higher learning to help its customer service employees earn higher degrees. “We’re continuing to partner with other employers and are really trying to help them help their workforce situation and invest in their employees,” Rohn says. Students pursuing career options independent of a current company program can find opportunities through the college’s career services office and during campus recruitment

from Tuscarawas, Wayne, Portage, Carroll and other counties

Satellite Centers / Additional Locations: Stark State College Akron, 360 Perkins St. Barberton Satellite Center, 664 Norton Ave, Barberton Downtown Canton Satellite Center, 400 Third Street SE, Canton Automotive Technology Center, 5600 Whipple Ave NE, North Canton Canton Automotive Technology Center, 839 Cleveland Ave NE, Canton Stark State College and the Timken Company Technology and Test Center (Law Enforcement Academy), 8252 Frank Ave., North Canton Well Site Training Center, 234 Cherry Ave. SE, Canton W.R. Timken Training Center, 6057 Strip Ave NW, North Canton

days, which can prepare them for applying and interviewing for a job. Many students have obtained internships and apprenticeships through local businesses. Stark State builds an interest in its programs from high school and up, reaching out to area high schools. Teens have the option to take a number of free credits while still in high school through the College Credit Plus program. The college also has articulation agreements with area high schools in Stark, Summit and surrounding counties for a number of programs, including agricultural and environmental services, construction, engineering and science technologies, finance, information technology, manufacturing, marketing, transportation, arts and communication, and business and administrative services.

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Chef-Prepared

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Dry rub seasoned baby back ribs sauced with our exceptional ‘margarita’ sauce. Served with cilantro lime rice, calico corn and a southwest seasoned coleslaw.

Carolina Gold BBQ Chicken $29.99 • Serves 2 (8 pieces of chicken) $149.99 • Serves 10 (40 pieces of chicken)

Grilled bone-in chicken basted with tangy Carolina Gold BBQ sauce served with macaroni and cheese, brown sugar bacon baked beans, loaded baked potato salad and corn bread.

6/28/21 2:17 PM

Business Spotlight

Business stronger than ever even during a pandemic Kenan Advantage Group on the front lines delivering fuel, food and resources when needed most By Collyn Floyd

for more than 30 years. It has been in its current location along I-77 on the Stark-Summit County border (and just steps from the Akron-Canton Airport) since 2008. “We’ve had the opportunity to relocate anywhere in the country, but we stay here because of the people,” says Ralph Lee, Chief Human Resources Officer for KAG. “With a long history of manufacturing success, this region has developed a culture of hard working, highly skilled individuals who are committed to the success of their community. There are also great local colleges that provide us with an ongoing pool of job candidates that bring renewed energy and fresh ideas to our workforce.”

Photo: Courtesy Kenan Advantage Group

Go on a road trip anywhere in the United States or Canada, and you’re likely to see a Kenan Advantage Group (KAG) truck traversing our highways. As the largest tank truck transporter and logistics provider in North America, KAG delivers fuels, chemicals, specialty products, food products and industrial gases from its terminal and satellite locations in 40 states and seven Canadian provinces and territories to all 48 contiguous states, Canada and Mexico. While KAG’s trucks can be spotted across all of North America, the company is proud to call Akron-Canton home. KAG was founded in Stark County, and its corporate office has been strategically located in the area

Prior to the COVID-19 pandemic, KAG had approximately 450 people at the corporate office, or “Support Center” as they call it (many staff members are still working from home). From this location, they support field operations across the continent by providing administrative services such as accounting, finance, marketing and more. The office also houses a logistics center and centralized dispatch center. One of KAG’s largest fuel terminals is also located nearby, on the far side of the Akron-Canton Airport. The prime location, which is located between Akron and Canton and visible to I-77 drivers, allows for easy recruiting between the two communities. An ongoing commitment to the region is also part of its recruiting success. “We are very involved in Canton and Akron communities with respect to charitable and civic organizations. It is part of our corporate culture to give back in areas where our employees and customers live and raise their families,” says Lee. With operations across North America, proximity to the Akron-Canton Airport is key. Besides making for super-efficient employee travel, visit-

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ing customers enjoy convenient access to their state-of-the-art 24-hour logistics and scheduling center.

Growth Through Acquisitions KAG continues to grow by acquiring smaller but highly capable carriers that share similar business philosophies while also strategically enhancing its network and expertise. Recently, KAG has added four carriers, helping to strengthen existing services and enabling the company to grow into several new geographic regions and add new product expertise. These include Fort Transfer Company, a leading liquid bulk chemical carrier and storage company in the Midwest; Paul’s Hauling and Les Distributions Carl Beaulac, which broadens KAG’s Canadian network; and T-Haul Tank Lines, a food products hauler which supports strategic growth in the bulk foods and pet foods industries. As the nation reopens and the economy continues to improve, KAG is confident knowing all-star professionals can handle pretty much anything thrown their way. And they’re doing it right here in Akron-Canton.

Photo: Courtesy Kenan Advantage Group

Impact of COVID-19 While most of the country was slowing or shutting down in spring 2020, KAG’s professional drivers were on the front lines delivering fuel, food and merchant fuels such as oxygen to hospitals during the worst of the crisis. “When first responders such as medical workers, firemen and policemen line the street to clap and cheer as your company drivers deliver oxygen to a hospital in New York, you know you are making a difference,” says Charlie DeLacey, Chief Executive Officer, Kenan Advantage Group. “Our team put the safety of themselves and their families second to getting these resources delivered. We are so proud of all of our employees and their commitment to keeping America going during this time.” With the COVID-19 crisis waning, predictions are for a record number of people hitting the road this summer

on delayed vacations. Potential gas shortages could be an issue because of the lack of professional truck drivers to deliver fuel to retail gas stations across the country to meet the increased demand. KAG has been working for years to improve retention and recruiting of professional drivers, including implementing programs such as employee engagement initiatives, training and development opportunities, employee communication channels that allow for feedback and industry-leading pay programs aimed at attracting the most-qualified drivers and technicians in the sector. “We’ve invested in our recruiting team and are constantly adapting to the ever-changing way applicants search for positions,” says Lee. “The biggest secret to our success with respect to industry retention rates is our basic philosophy to put our people — our KAG family — first. We live by our promise to deliver a better life for all who call KAG home,” adds DeLacey.

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Health Care

Cleveland Clinic Akron General

Akron-Canton health care providers are pulling together more than ever Regionalism translates to hospitals collaborating to provide patient care

When one thinks of the term “regionalism” — companies and industries from the same geographical area sharing resources to serve the community — health care may not immediately come to mind as the type of industry in which this approach would work. Collaboration between hospitals and health care systems is really nothing new for Ohio. In 1915, the Ohio Hospital Association became the first state-level hospital association of its kind in the nation. However, promoting the health care indus40 Akron-Canton Metroplex

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try outside its own walls, directly to end users themselves, is an everchanging concept. And never before have individual hospitals joined forces in this regional health care marketing effort. With the end goal of treating people in the Greater Akron-Canton area without the need to travel farther from their homes for treatment, local health care systems have begun promoting both themselves and each other, with a mindset of less competition and more collaboration.

Hospitals and health care facilities have long used methods such as patient surveys; health care branding to show what sets a particular hospital apart beyond proximity and fields of practice; and traditional and social media marketing. But how can hospitals within a specific geographical area, such as Akron and Canton, market both the area’s hospitals and the region itself, without being swallowed, in a sense, by larger surrounding metropolitan areas such as Cuyahoga County?

Photo: Courtesy Cleveland Clinic Akron General

By Brian Lisik

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Dr. Timothy Crone was recently named president of the new Cleveland Clinic Mercy Medical Center, a merger that in and of itself speaks to how hospital systems are pooling resources regionally like never before. According to Crone, this move has already begun to show positive results in the most important way — patient care. “In just the four months since Mercy Hospital joined Cleveland Clinic, we are already seeing a positive impact on patient care in the region,” Crone says. “The two Cleveland Clinic hospitals in the Akron-Canton area, Cleveland Clinic Akron General and Cleveland Clinic Mercy Hospital, together with Cleveland Clinic Union Hospital in Tuscarawas County, are able to treat patients at the hospital that can provide the most appropriate care closest to home.” Akron General Hospital President Dr. Brian Harte says the COVID-19 pandemic further emphasized the need for this sort of cooperation

between health care providers. “During the COVID-19 pandemic, public health agencies and hospitals have worked more closely than ever before to care for our communities,” says Harte. “Last year, we worked together extensively on COVID testing, and since the beginning of this year, our efforts have been focused on providing vaccines. Since March of 2020, we have all worked with our partners in the Akron Regional Hospital Association to collaborate on our COVID-19 response.” Harte says that the effort to encourage people to become vaccinated in particular expanded this collaborative scope even further, with Cleveland Clinic leading a campaign with Mayo Clinic and 60 other hospitals in a nationwide traditional and social media advertising campaign to “encourage our communities to get vaccinated.” Anne Gunther, Chief Operating Officer, Aultman Healthcare Delivery System, says collaboration “is and always

will be an important part of providing health care to the community.” “Years ago, Aultman Health Foundation collaborated through the Independent Hospital Network with a goal to keep community hospitals independent by working together to deliver health care services to their respective communities,” Gunther says. “The network included hospitals in Alliance, Dover, Millersburg, Orrville and Aultman Hospital in Canton. Since that time, some of those hospitals have joined Aultman Health Foundation. Earlier this year, we also announced Aultman’s affiliation with Pomerene Hospital in Millersburg.” Gunther went on to note Aultman’s work with other local hospitals, agencies and organizations to address health concerns that affect the community as a whole, such as infant mortality and behavioral health. “Moving forward, Aultman will continue to work together with area health care facilities and community organi-

6,570. That’s how many days there are in childhood. We’re here to help your family make the most out of every one. From preventive care that keeps sick days at bay, to breakthrough procedures that speed up recoveries, to discoveries that make more birthdays possible – Akron Children’s is devoted to delivering the Photo: Courtesy Cleveland Clinic Akron General

very best for kids. Learn more at akronchildrens.org/morechildhoodplease

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Health Care

Cleveland Clinic Mercy Hospital

Photo: Courtesy Cleveland Clinic Mercy Hospital

zations to define opportunities for collaborations and efforts we can cooperate on to deliver better care, value and improved health for the communities we serve,” Gunther says. Harte and Crone agree that this collaborative effort and the work of the Akron-Canton Metroplex will continue to be a focus for health care systems well into the future. “I think you will continue to see both competition and collaboration. Hospitals within a health system must work together to give patients access to the care they need,” Harte says. “Our goal is to provide the best care closer to home.” Crone adds, “We support regional collaboration and look forward to having the Cleveland Clinic hospitals and facilities in this region be a part of that. Mercy Hospital has served this community for well over 100 years and as part of the Cleveland Clinic health system is well equipped to provide support and investment to address the needs of this community.”

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6/28/21 2:18 PM

Community Spotlight

Front Street in Cuyahoga Falls pre-pandemic

Fun flows in Cuyahoga Falls Front Street has transformed from empty storefronts to boasting boutiques, restaurants and bars

Two days after her wedding, Kelle Sorber celebrates the newest chapter of her life with a family trip to Cuyahoga Falls — the city where she spent her young adulthood. It’s looking good, she says. “We’re just taking a look at how amazing it is. The way that the Falls, the mayor and all the small businesses have come together to develop this beautiful strip with so many different opportunities,” says Sorber, as she walks with family along Front Street, which since 2018 has been transformed from a walking boulevard with empty storefronts to a street flanked by parking and boutiques, restaurants and bars. A North Dakota native who lived in Portage Towers Apartments from 2011 to 2015, Sorber is one of several people 44 Akron-Canton Metroplex

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who praise the amenities of Summit County’s second-biggest city on a picture-perfect Memorial Day. “I like a lot of the natural beauty,” says lifelong resident Josh Hillman, who with a friend is scouting potential kayak take-out locations near River Walk Park. “I like the way that they try and preserve a lot of the different streets and trees … and some of the landscaping. I like a lot of what they try and do and have tried to clean up with some of the historical district.” Originally known as Manchester when it was founded in 1812, Cuyahoga Falls is working on its image as a place that has flow and vibe, says Don Walters, who has served as mayor since 2014. In the midst of a re-election campaign, the Democrat talks

about new development, highlighted by Front Street’s transformation in the city’s downtown, as well as the opening of the Portage Crossing development, anchored by Giant Eagle and a Cinemark movie theater, in 2014. Of interest to outdoor enthusiasts, the river also has been opened up — the result of the removal of two dams. “We say the fun flows here because we opened the road. Front Street was a pedestrian mall that failed for 40 years. Well, the fun flows here, the traffic flows through now. The river flows; it’s clean. We have kayaking, we have inner tubing, we have fishing, it’s extremely clean,” Walters says. “So, I just want to promote Cuyahoga Falls as a brand, and the best brand around — nothing against the other cities.”

Photo: Courtesy City of Cuyahoga Falls

By Karen Hanna

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Republican Meri Stemple, who works as a certified caseworker for Direction Home Akron Canton Area Agency on Aging & Disabilities, is running to unseat Walters. A lifelong resident, she says the city has a lot of advantages — including a small-town, friendly atmosphere — but it’s allowed some of its services and neighborhoods to decay. “It’s a wonderful area, has a lot of potential. I love it here, that’s why I’ve stayed. I stay by choice. And I think I could be someone who could really encourage a business to move here, and I would help them financially and to help them with the overall process, and also have people in place to help their employees. And, hopefully, they’re going to work in Cuyahoga Falls and live in Cuyahoga Falls,” says Stemple, who has worked as both a nurse and an entrepreneur. At 59, Stemple has never lived anywhere else. Her three children graduated from schools in Cuyahoga Falls; one is raising a family in the city now. To draw business to areas like State Road, she believes the city must provide more financial incentives and beef up its police services. “It is a pretty nice place to be from. And it really is. Pretty nice place to call home. Because you have lovely seasons. We do have the great outdoors. But then we also have the big city stuff. We have both,” Stemple says. Like Walters, resident Kamelia Fisher sees a city that’s growing and

Photo: Courtesy City of Cuyahoga Falls

Downtown events in Cuyahoga Falls pre-pandemic

improving by the day. She moved to the city about nine years ago and since March has served as executive director of the Cuyahoga Falls Chamber of Commerce. “When I moved to the area, I intentionally selected Cuyahoga Falls to move to where I was at because it’s such a vibrant community. It’s a small community and the fact that its relationships are so important, and you can become so involved in the community and be a part of its growth and its successes and have a voice; I love that part. But it’s large enough and progressive enough to continue to allow people that want to reach higher or promote change or explore ways that we could be better, it has that atmosphere, as well,” Fisher says. The chamber has about 400 members, with workforces of one to 1,000plus. A lot of businesses got their start just a few months ago, in the latter half of last year, Fisher adds. “If you take a look at the number of new businesses that have opened in Cuyahoga Falls in the last nine years and just if you look at Front Street, I think that would not have been able to happen if it hadn’t been [for] the support of the city and the encouragement of the city to work with landlords, to work with business owners, to make it a vibrant community,” she says. “And you see that growth is not just on Front Street.” At the river, a gaggle of mallard ducks appear to be squabbling as Hillman looks over the white water.

By the Numbers:

Cuyahoga Falls

49,106 Population*

$127,600

Median value of owner-occupied housing units, 2015-19

$840

Median gross rent, 2015-19

25.65 Land area in square miles

$57,101

Median household income, 2015-19

$36,448,730 Total 2021 budget

$34,025,160 General fund estimates for 2021

* based 2019 U.S. Census estimates

He’d love nothing more than to work in his hometown. He says he had trouble finding a home for his personaltraining business in Cuyahoga Falls and eventually moved Gotham Gym and Savage MMA to West Akron. He thinks the city could do more to nurture its small business community. “I think one of the things that would attract more people is if they did more community-based events. When they did do that, like Rockin’ on the River, this place was amazing. And I think if they would have kept something like that and then continue the Front Street projects, I think this would have been amazing,” he says. He acknowledges the pandemic has caused some issues for business but sees bright opportunities for Cuyahoga Falls. “But I think ultimately what it comes down to is it is a beautiful city that truly wants to take care of its people,” Hillman says.

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62%

Owner-occupied housing unit rate, 2015-19

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Business Spotlight

Inside AES Building

From tires to tenants AES Building transforms from industrial relic to office building

Tires, the commodity that made BF Goodrich a household name, cushioned the fall as blocks of concrete factory floors were cut from their moorings in the demolition and reconstruction of one of the company’s old headquarters in its transformation, from industrial relic to office building. More than 25 years since it was gutted and completely renovated, the AES Building is now a Class A office building — one of only three in downtown Akron. The developer who controls it says the renaissance that has taken place there can serve as the model for many other buildings in a region still charting a course from its heyday as the rubber capital of the world. “The fact that this has been a really transformative rebirth of this large, 46 Akron-Canton Metroplex

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large factory building, I think is a story of interest (and) probably can be an example or maybe a role model for other large buildings in Canton-Akron and so forth, that there can be new life, strong, economically viable, new life, if the structure itself is solid,” says David Schipper during a tour of the seven-story building, which his brother-in-law, developer Paul Tell Jr., renovated. “This is like Fort Knox, the way this building was built,” Schipper adds. A Marine veteran who flew helicopters during the Vietnam War, Schipper served as a psychologist for eight years. His father-in-law, Paul Tell Sr., got him into the real estate game, and Schipper has been CEO and president of the Schipper Group since 1987. Both Tells have since died.

The AES Building is Tell’s legacy and the Schipper Group’s crown jewel. Built in 1925, BF Goodrich’s Building No. 41, at 388 S. Main St., was the northernmost of several that composed the company’s Akron complex, where 15,000 employees once made an array of rubber products, including billions of rubber bands, as well as John Glenn’s spacesuit. When the machines fell silent in the mid-1980s, there was no guarantee the jobs would bounce back — until 1994, when Tell Jr. began renovations on the abandoned building. The building’s defining feature is its six-story atrium with skylights. A web of concrete and rebar stabilizes the center of the building, where floors reinforced for heavy industry

Photo: Courtesy Schipper Group

By Karen Hanna

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Rendering: Courtesy Schipper Group

Photo: Courtesy Schipper Group

were removed, to bring light into the building. Drawn to the University of Akron’s polymer research department, Advanced Elastomer Systems (AES), a subsidiary of ExxonMobil, relocated 225 jobs from St. Louis to Akron in 1996, and, while it’s since moved on to Houston, other companies have settled in. OHM Advisors, an architectural and engineering firm, is among the current tenants, a list that also includes Akronarea bellwethers such as the Akron Beacon Journal, an office of Summa Hospital physicians and the Brouse McDowell law firm. Ruth Klee, transportation project manager for OHM Advisors, one of 17 current tenants, says, “The beauty of the building, grounds and interior architecture was a hit with our clients during our open house and showed well for our company. It is easy for our customers to find and park, which alleviates the frustration of finding a parking area in the middle of downtown.” With about three-quarters of the building currently rented, seven suites ranging in size from 2,363 rentable square feet (RSF) to 33,330 RSF are available. One sixth-floor unit, measuring about 23,000 RSF is gutted to the subfloors, with stunning views of the city on two sides. Prospective tenants can negotiate the details of interior design and layout, with build-out and improvement costs reflected in their rent. The Schipper Group can even prepare a “building-within-a-building” lease with multi-story units with exclusive-use elevators and entryways. The building offers 24/7 security; an eatery on the second floor; and stateof-the-art telecommunications with 11 fiber-optic service providers. A key feature is outside — more than 1,200 parking spots under Schipper Group control, with more than 200 available in a secure parking garage. According to the Schipper Group, the setup gives workers the type of parking they could expect in the suburbs, with the amenities that are only available downtown. Schipper points out parking lots from an enclosed sky bridge that links the building to 425 parking spaces on

By The Numbers

457,362

total rentable square feet (RSF)

75,000

RSF average per floor, Floors 2 through 7

338,044 RSF amount rented

1,000 +

Number of employees that can be accommodated in the building (with available parking)

800

Number of employees currently in the building (pre-pandemic), about 300 currently

First floor: 11,622 RSF Second floor: 33,330 RSF Third floor: Units of 2,363 RSF and 12,790 RSF Fourth floor: Units of 24,428 RSF and 11,112 RSF Sixth floor: 23,673 RSF

Current tenants, including Brouse McDowell, Akron Beacon Journal, Greater Akron Chamber of Commerce, Homesite Insurance, Quanex Building Products, CliftonLarsonAllen, Summa Physicians and Roadrunner Transportation Services

Contact for leasing information: Tom Wiese, 330-434-8355 ext. 203

the other side of the Ohio & Erie Canal; during the winter, he says, workers log their steps walking across the bridge and back. The towpath and Freedom Trail also beckon for bicyclists and hikers; both cross paths with the AES Building. Lindsay Smith, marketing and public relations manager for Summit Metro Parks, says the Schipper Group worked with the park district to create a “win-win” for park enthusiasts, as well as the building and its occupants. In 2017, the park district and Schipper Group agreed to split the cost of land crossing through an AES Building parking lot near Selle Street that serves as a link on the Freedom Trail. “We anticipate that when this section of Freedom Trail is open, visitors will be able to utilize the parking lot outside of business hours,” Smith says. While he acknowledges only a small number of tenants’ workers might use

the Freedom Trail, Schipper says the building offers something for everyone — starting with its parking. In addition, he says, companies transferring into the region will find a bevy of benefits for their employees — a low cost of living, light traffic, easy access to freeways and parks, lots of educational options. The area has strong values and people with a strong work ethic, he says. The transformation of the AES Building leverages these advantages. “The AES Building is within walking distance of several hundred new apartments on South Main Street in downtown Akron’s renaissance, plus its many food and entertainment amenities. Being just a few blocks from the University of Akron and with an abundance of rental housing is a big boon to obtaining and retaining new young college educated employees,” Schipper says.

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Current leasing opportunities by floor

Akron-Canton Metroplex 47

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Snapshot

Economic Indicators

Akron-Canton Airport Number of Seats Q3 2021: Q3 2020:

How the Akron-Canton Metroplex is faring

93,170 188,638

1,339

GDP is the total value of goods and services produced by a region. $38.1 Billion

Airlines: Q3 2020:

$18 Billion

Akron MSA

Canton-Massillon MSA

$56.0 Billion

$18.1 Billion

$55.1 Billion

$1 billion

Real Estate, Rental and Leasing

1. 2. 3. 4. 5. 6. 7. 8. 9. 10. 11. 12. 13. 14. 15. 16. 17. 18. 19. 20. 21. 22.

Summa Health System Huntington National Bank The Timken Company Kent State University Rubbermaid Incorporated The University of Akron Akron Children's Hospital Giant Eagle, Inc. The Goodyear Tire & Rubber Company Akron City Hospital, Inc. Aultman Hospital Babcock & Wilcox Holdings, Inc. Associated Materials Holdings, LLC TimkenSteel Corporation The Little Tikes Company FirstEnergy Corp. Synchrony Financial Heritage Group, Inc. Sterling Jewelers, Inc. Alliance Citizens Health Association General Electric Company University Hospitals Portage Medical Center 23. American Axle & Manufacturing, Inc. 24. Jo-Ann Stores, LLC 25. Amazon

$1.2 billion Accommodations and Food Services $1.3 billion Transportation and Warehousing

$5.6 billion

$1.4 billion Government

Administrative, Support, Waste Management and Remediation Services

Akron-Canton Metroplex GDP By Industry

Wholesale Trade $4.5 billion

$1.5 billion

Retail Trade

Information

$4 billion

$1.6 billion

Finance and Insurance $3.8 billion

Top 25 Employers

Health Care and Social Assistance

$4.7 billion

Q3 2021:

Professional, Scientific and Technical Services

Construction

$2.9 billion

$2.6 billion

Management of Companies and Enterprises $2 billion

employment

15%

Metroplex Total Employment

Unemployment Rate

13%

Metroplex through Q1 2021: 5.5%

11%

U.S. through Q1 2021: 6.0% 9%

531,680

531,722

535,341

527,674

534,781

537,015

536,449

525,831

472,129

498,044

517,571

2018

2019

48 Akron-Canton Metroplex

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2020

552,152

525,174

2021

2018

2019

2020

3% Q1

2021

Sources: Bureau of Labor Statistics, JOBSEQ/via Greater Akron Chamber, Team NEO

$9.3 billion

Nonstop destinations Q3 2021: Q3 2020:

$37 Billion

Utilities

673

Q3 2021:

Regional Gross Domestic Product (GDP)

Manufacturing

Flights Q3 2020:

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Sources: Bureau of Labor Statistics, JOBSEQ/via Greater Akron Chamber, Team NEO

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