WIRE-Net Economic Development Initiative

Strengthening Cleveland's economic base

While WIRE-Net was focused solely on Cleveland's west side,  this initiative was launched to maximize the economic assets and development opportunities in the area. Our research phase of this initiative reinforced this point with some key facts: 

• WIRE-Net area saw employment in the manufacturing sector grow by 9.1%, while the remainder of the City’s manufacturing employment base shrank by 21.3% and suburban Cuyahoga County by 1.6% (1Q1993-1Q2000).

• 60% of the workforce in the WIRE-Net area is in cluster-related manufacturing industries.  Cluster industries drive a local economy in terms of quality of jobs, quantity of out-of-region exports, and generation of wealth.

 WIRE-Net has identified four priorities for the purposes of integrating its west side businesses into the regional economy, and helping to secure more of the growing manufacturing firms as new investors in Cleveland’s west side neighborhoods.  The four areas include:

• Industrial site assembly and development:  Increase the net volume of available land and development activity on Cleveland’s west side.

• Area infrastructure improvements:  Improve the quality of the City of Cleveland’s infrastructure in order to encourage private business development.

• West side manufacturing marketing efforts:  Enhance the reputation and outlook of manufacturing on the west side of Cleveland.

• Internal manufacturing improvements:  Increase the ability of small manufacturing firms on Cleveland’s west side to compete in a global economy.  

WIRE-Net takes its role seriously as an advocate for manufacturing on Cleveland’s west side.  This economic development initiative is a good example of the work that WIRE-Net is doing on behalf of the entire Cleveland manufacturing community.  WIRE-Net’s goal is to see Cleveland solidified as a manufacturing community fueled by innovation and growth.