Do you blog? If so, does anyone ever ask you why? I would tell anyone from NE Ohio considering becoming a blogger that it’s worth it just to attend Meet The Blogger events. Tonight we pumped up on good java at Gypsy Beans and had a conversation with Adam Wasserman, CEO of The Cleveland-Cuyahoga County Port Authority.
Adam Wasserman has been at the helm (!) for about 13 months so the natural start of questioning was about where he had been before coming to Cleveland. Since he spent time (twice) in the DC area (I was there for almost two decades) and his last position was in Yorkshire, England (I spent a Summer studying at Durham University), I guess we had a lot in common. Okay, so the similarities stop there since he’s a finance person among other things lol.
In all seriousness, it was interesting to hear the take he had on the Yorkshire ports and the challenges they faced, getting into the issue of making an economic plan surrounding the ports. So he brings that kind of experience and focus to NE Ohio. I found this website, Yorkshire Ports. Adam said there were three ports so this should be a good source of info about them.
His description of cargo movement on our waters was that of bulk cargo without legs….. a good visual, meaning we get the goods and use the goods here, it doesn’t get transported elsewhere after it arrives.
Adam said The Port also conducts conduit financing, i.e., acting like a conduit on projects to the tune of about 50 or 60 over the past 12 years. Other points made:
1. The Authority (presumably through it’s Board’s directive) feels it’s future is in international manufacturing; currently less than one half of it’s capacity is being used.
2. Cleveland needs to be more focused on pushing her assets.
3. Port’s Strategic Plan (pdf of entire plan here) The main focus points:
- Maritime/Logistics/Transportation
- Cleveland’s Downtown
- Health Care
- NASA
- Hopkins
4. The public (meaning all of us) can continue to get updated on what the Port is doing by attending once a month Board meetings and once a month Strategic Plan meetings. I neglected to ask when the meetings were, but their contact phone number is: 216- 241-8004. Alternatively, you could go here and download individual copies of their newsletters or get on the mailing list to receive new ones.
The Port wants to move, and their choice of locations and why is explained here. Adam Wasserman said by relocating to E. 55th it helps revitalize a neighborhood and frees up prime Downtown space for other use.
There was more, and as usual I hope someone else will post their thoughts on the discussion. It was such a good conversation and maybe Adam thought so too because he stayed to chat with us for quite a while afterwards. We had about a baker’s dozen in attendance, which made it more thought provoking since each of us came at it from our own perspectives. If you want to make sure you don’t miss out on the next Meet The Bloggers event, here is the website so you can bookmark it. Peace Out - 3C
Wonderful Update: Cleveland’s Equanimous Philosopher opines about the meeting! Great analysis!
Podcast: MTB Podcast of the Event.
1 response so far ↓
1 Carole Cohen // Mar 25, 2008 at 9:55 pm
I will add the link to the podcast of this event as soon as it’s available. It will also be linked on the above MTB website.
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