19 Great Things That Happened in Akron in 2019
As 2019 draws to a close, we at GAR Foundation are pausing to reflect on what we have learned and accomplished in partnership with you this year. It has been an eventful one for us, marked by the launch of several new initiatives: Essential Experiences, STARS, and Elevate Greater Akron.
Akron’s future depends upon its ability to harness its untapped, diverse talent
Any business leader will tell you that talent is the key ingredient for a healthy business and for growth. At the same time, many in our area will say that great talent is extremely hard to find. Educational institutions work to produce the skilled workers businesses need, and workforce organizations pour resources into the issue, […]
How Elevate Akron’s new fundamentals will help the region prosper
Over the past year, economic development leaders from the City of Akron, Summit County and the Greater Akron Chamber have been working closely to reimagine how we can achieve greater economic prosperity in the Akron area. With relatively new leadership at each of the three participating organizations, the stars aligned in favor of revisiting how […]
How your company can help improve Greater Akron’s workforce
When asked, many CEOs will tell you that attracting, training and retaining great talent is the biggest challenge they face in growing their business. We know that our companies need talent to grow and drive the economy. And yet in the Greater Akron area, we also know that many jobs go unfilled. Additionally, we know […]
Systemic Inequity: An honest reckoning
My friend and colleague Brian Frederick referenced in his recent blog post the Racial Equity Institute (REI) “Groundwater” training session. I attended that powerful session as well, and I was struck by the questions it raised related to the growth and opportunity challenges we face. REI suggests, and indeed proves with a hefty catalog of […]
Place matters to your business, your community
In a way, it’s ironic. In the digital age, many of us can do our work from any place, as long as we have a laptop and high-speed internet. Gone are the days when a central workplace anchored workers to a particular geography. As such, you could argue that in the digital age, place doesn’t […]
The plan to remake Akron should build on existing strengths
With Mayor Dan Horrigan settling into city hall, there has been much talk about Akron’s “new day,” and enthusiasm around bringing fresh perspective to economic development. And then comes the hard part: determining the best next step. What actions will create enduring community prosperity? A look at some of the communities that have enjoyed success […]
Akron2Columbus: elevating young leaders
What’s one way to inspire young leaders to think of creative ways to address some of Akron’s challenges and opportunities? Put them on a bus and take them on a road trip. Last month, GAR and Knight Foundation took over 30 emerging leaders on a study trip to Columbus. The trip is the third in […]
Akron’s downtown can drive its economic future
This article originally appeared on Smart Business Online. Akron is on the brink of a historic election. In the course of one day, Akron will choose its first new chief executive in almost three decades and seat an entire city council — a moment of opportunity as Akron defines its future. While there are many […]
East Akron Neighborhood Development Corporation: Bringing revitalization home
The 2008 foreclosure crisis left hundreds of neighborhoods reeling, and East Akron was no exception. One of Akron’s oldest neighborhoods, the eastside now grapples with over 400 vacant lots both in residential and commercial areas, inevitably impacting the public perception and economic value of the neighborhood. For over 30 years the East Akron Neighborhood Development […]