You can read about it in this Crains Cleveland article written by Michelle Park .

A little bit more detail about it from the PR Newswire article about the KPMG survey. (It’s actually the KPMG press release).  100 executives from NE Ohio were surveyed.  I like these stats: 

Forty-one percent intend to add jobs in the next 12 months, with only 7 percent indicating a decrease.  Furthermore, 43 percent will boost capital improvements and tech investments, with 7 percent expecting to lower investments.

One more quote that seems to indicate satisfaction with their businesses being located in NE Ohio:

“…an overwhelming majority, 79 percent, have no plans to move and, of those considering a move, a great majority, 88 percent, intend to look at other locations in Northeast Ohio….”

It makes sense that focusing on the here and now, and what each company can do to improve their business, add jobs, expand, will block out the  gray cloud of negativity. Which doesn’t help in the long run!  Let’s see what transpires in the next 12 months, and maybe we will see evidence of this job growth and success.

3C

The next company struck me because it’s a CPA firm, voted one of the top mid-sized companies in 2010 (in NE Ohio).  Cohen & Company   has a cool niche.  From their website: 

 Cohen & Company specializes in a wide variety of accounting, tax, and planning issues. Working closely with the entrepreneur, we provide advice on operating and managing the business. Learn how building a relationship with us can help you meet your (or your client’s) goals.     

Cohen & Company has five locations in NE Ohio and now also three affiliated locations in Florida.  They have been around since 1977.   They have jobs available, according to their website, but what I really liked was their Internship program. Are you in college, thinkng being a CPA might be a good choice?  Their internship program includes short term assignments, attending company meetings, and other activities you would experience as a licensed CPA.  They also require community service work….  check out Cohen & Co’s web page on internships.

The last company featured today also advertises itself  (I paraphrase only a little) as  a toy company, but a digital toy company.  Find A Way World  has been around for about six years only, but their patented audio player called Playaway® is out (it’s pre-loaded, which I gather is very exciting to consumers) and the company is very well recieved and recognized all over the U.S.  FindAWay World  was voted one of the fastest growing companies in the Country by Inc, magazine.

I love that it was started by five native Clevelanders. Picturing them sitting around tossing a nerf basketball and coming up with ideas.  Anyone use Playaway® ?   Would be cool to support a local company when buying a video/audio player.   Their website says Playaway® can hold up to 60 hours of audio.  That sounds darn competitive, no?  Seriously, it sounds  like this 2 oz audio books specialty player would be great to own. And they have Playaways available all over the World already!

Congrats to these companies for being what our area has been historically…innovative and insanely creative!   Peace Out  3C

Some of the  other entries were not surprising, like Kodak.  The writing has been on the wall, although there has been talk that they hold digital patents that could keep money coming into them for a while.

I spent time as a facilities manager when I was much younger (!) and working at Donnelley Directory in Maryland.  We had a huge workforce at the time, and quite a few offices.  We dealt with Steelcase Furniture, who supplied most of our office furniture.  Very solid, easy to move cubicle arrangements (we were constantly changing office layouts).  It’s on the list, even though they ‘do well.’  It’s  a U.S. company!  So if you need office furniture, you might want to help keep them in business.  Unlike some of the trendier furniture offices choose to buy, Steelcase is built like a tank and spending money on replacement is not much of an issue.  To end this public service plug, there is a Steelcase store on Prospect in Cleveland

And Avery Dennison is on the list due to being swallowed up by 3M.  They make sharpies and highlighters, among other things.  I find it hard to believe these things will disappear. 

If you want to hear what another source predicts on same topic (and who knows if either is right), check out ZetaBoards.com’s list of brands that will disappear this year.   They include Soap Opera Digest Magazine (web competition and disappearing soaps), Sony …and they agree with Saab and Sears (on CoreBrand list).    3C

January 16 2012 update:  The Economist weighs in on why Kodak is struggling to stay alive and uses their rival Fuji as an example of a similar company that has adapted and seems to be positioned to stay competitive. The article is called The Last Kodak Moment. 

Did you know that every time you use your cards a merchant pays the card company a % fee?  They also have fees for closing out sales amounts each day,  statement fees.  Some they have just because they offer the service.  Did you know that if your card is swiped and it’s declined, they get charged a fee for that too?

I found this site, Merchant Seek, which lists some generic fees. 

I’ve spoken to local merchants recently.  Unless their volume is really high, it can be quite expensive a service.

So if you are wondering if there are ways to help our local economy, you might try to have green cash on hand whenever possible!  Shop local!  3C

The author feels the techie companies getting the economic assistance are health industry related.  And I love the reference she makes to economic development here chasing smokestacks.   Check it out  3C

Now here comes an article posted tonight on the PD talking about how cash purchases are up.  They also highlight a family who purchased because they are retirees who had to take a cash payment from an account and bought an upscale home with the money.

It is seriously a good time to talk to a tax accountant, your financial advisor, and your family, and see if this is also a good idea for you. 

3C

If you owed 150,000 and sold your house for 120,000, you will not owe taxes on the 30k difference. My suggestion is to check with your financial advisor, H and R Block, anyone, just be sure.

Quote from the article that just appeared on the PD website:

“…people are potentially eligible only if the debt involves their primary residence, and only for debt used to buy or improve their home….”

The “Act” is officially called Mortgage Forgiveness Debt Relief Act and Debt Cancellation.  Much more detail on the .gov link – and it applies to your principal residence only.  So if you are selling an investment property, you will probably owe taxes, unless you also live in one of the units of that property. 

Unless it gets extended, this Relief Act is good only through the end of 2012.     3C

We know we need infrastructure work, but one of the repeated points made here is location, proximity to other markets (one days hauling abilities, for example).  All the more reason why we need to keep our infrastructure sound and innovative. 

The answers are very diverse as well, and include a nice portion of NE Ohio companies while also giving us a perspective on other areas.  Truly a great series of interviews with pretty revealing answers.  To me, it’s a case of hearing why our State works, not the problems we get every day!  Anyway, hope you enjoy it.   Peace Out – 3C

The owner of the building was/is amazing himself.  He’s a fabulous metal/bronze sculptor named Ron Dewey of Light Sculpture Works.  He is responsible, for example, for the beautiful bronze of the Stefanski’s at the Third Fed Headquarters.  If you click the above link it takes you to his site at the point of some of his commissioned work. 

I haven’t been this excited about something happening in Cleveland in quite some time!    3C