Involta Receives Proclamation
from the Chamber
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Chamber President and CEO Dan Colantone (l) and FirstEnergy Corp VP of distribution services and Chamber vice-chair of economic development Steve Strah (r) present Involta founder and CEO Bruce Lehrman with a proclamation of appreciation.
In June Involta, LLC, constructed and opened a world-class data center at 191 East Miller Avenue in Akron. The attraction, land development, construction and efforts from local partners showcased collaboration between private enterprise, Summit County, the City of Akron and Chamber officials striving for economic development and the community's quality of life.
The $17 million Involta colocation facility is now set to provide significant advantages for organizations in the region by offering businesses secure, cutting-edge, cost-saving data storage services, disaster recovery and technical expertise.
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| Chamber Partners to Exhibit at Shale Vendor Showcase |
(l-r) Bradford R. Ehrhart, president of the Portage Development Board; Mike Szugye, sales and marketing for Hapco Inc.; and Dennis Loughry, director of economic development for the City of Tallmadge stand outside Hapco for the Shale Gas Vendor and Customer Networking Showcase.
The Greater Akron Chamber partnered with local economic development partners from the Portage Development Board and the City of Tallmadge as exhibitors at the Hapco Inaugural Shale Gas Vendor and Customer Networking Showcase held in September.
The event allowed businesses related to the natural gas industry--such as trucking, generators and pumps, oils and lubricants, well pad liners and safety products--an opportunity to network and make local connections. This showcase was hosted at Hapco, a Kent dealer and service center for industrial heat welding products, blowers, generators and pumps.
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Strong Turnout for Candidates and Elected Officials Reception
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On October 18, the Chamber hosted the annual Candidates & Elected Officials Reception at the Roetzel & Andress Akron office. This exclusive networking reception was a great success, with over 50 candidates and officials in attendance. It was a wonderful opportunity for members to network with federal, state and local officials and candidates.
The Chamber thanks hosts Roetzel & Andress, premier sponsor AT&T, and event sponsor Oriana House, as well as all the candidates and officials that attended. We look forward to our continued partnership with public officials throughout this year and next.
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| Chamber Endorsement of Issue #61 |
The Greater Akron Chamber Board of Directors unanimously passed resolutions of support and endorsement for the Akron City Schools Levy, Issue #61.
The education of children by Akron Public Schools (APS) is essential to the economic viability of the region, quality of life in our neighborhoods, development of our region's future workforce and the attraction and retention of talent. APS is projected to lose $18.4 million in federal, state and local revenue for next fiscal year and this levy will only replace a portion of the funds that will be used to maintain core academic programs and services in the district.
As sound fiscal stewards, the APS administration has been taking steps to streamline operations and implement cost saving measures. It cut $19 million in the budget last summer by the closure of five school buildings, elimination of 24 administrative positions, dismissal of 82 personnel, and implementation of a one-year salary step freeze for administrators.
The complete Issue #61 resolution passed by the Greater Akron Chamber Board of Directors is available on the Chamber website. Click here for the PDF.
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Chamber Endorsement of Issue #73
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The Greater Akron Chamber Board of Directors unanimously passed resolutions of support and endorsement for the Summit County Children Services Levy, Issue #73.
The levy renewal for Summit County Children Services represents 60% of the agency's funding to carry out programs and initiative to protect children from abuse and neglect by promoting child safety, permanency and well-being as mandated by state law. The agency has taken many steps to provide a positive, safe and family-focused environment while streamlining costs and operations.
The complete Issue #73 resolution passed by the Greater Akron Chamber Board of Directors is available on the Chamber website. Click here for the PDF.
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Local and State Election Guide
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As the voice of business in the Greater Akron Region, the Chamber has compiled its Annual Election Guide on state and local issues appearing on the general election ballot. For the full guide, please click here.
Contact Megann Eberhart, manager of government affairs at the Chamber, by email or at (330) 237-1262 if you have further questions or concerns regarding the issues covered in the guide or about the election in general.
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The Greater Akron Chamber invites you to Economic Outlook 2013 on Thursday, November 8, 2012, featuring Edward W. (Ned) Hill, Dean and Professor in the Maxine Goodman Levin College of Urban Affairs at Cleveland State University. His presentation is entitled, "The Long Road to Recovery from the Recession of 2007: Will the Results from the Presidential Election Make a Difference?"
Ned Hill will review the Northeast Ohio and national economic performance, as well as present the great American challenge: Can Congress and the Administration keep two thoughts in their collective heads at the same time: Continuing to stimulate the economy in the near-term while beginning to impose fiscal discipline to begin to work down the relative size of the national debt? If the debt is attacked too vigorously, another recession will result. Not addressing the size of the debt relative to GDP is a recipe for long-term economic pain.
Where: Hilton Akron/Fairlawn, 3180 W. Market St., Akron
When: Registration and business connections 7:30 a.m.
Plated breakfast at 7:45 a.m.
Program from 8:00 to 9:15 a.m.
Cost: $30 per member; $45 per non-member
Reservations: (330) 237-1254
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New Akron Relocation Guide Available
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 The Greater Akron Chamber takes advantage of opportunities to "tell the Akron story" and most recently published Experience Greater Akron, a relocation guide highlighting the outstanding amenities of the region. We encourage you to use this publication as a reference for your organization and as employee recruitment tool. Click here to view the clickable version of the guide. For copies, call the Chamber at (330) 376-5550.
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Economic Development Correspondents
Robert Y. Bowman, Deputy Mayor, City of Akron
Samuel D. DeShazior, Deputy Director, City of Akron
Stephen Kidder, President, German Link, Inc.
Richard F. Rebadow, Executive Vice President, Greater Akron Chamber
Gregg P. Cramer, Vice President, Economic Development, Greater Akron Chamber
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