Cuyahoga County staff present 2025 economic development plan; council requests impact study on Browns stadium relocation

Cuyahoga County Department of Development officials presented the draft 2025 economic development plan to the County Council's Economic Development Committee and said the plan will advance four strategic pillars: regional alignment, municipal support, lending and small-business assistance, and workforce coordination.

Paul Herdig, director of the Department of Development, told the committee the update was produced with consultant Carolyn Taich and stakeholder input from three focus groups that included suburban mayors and economic-development directors. "Our vision for economic development is empowering businesses and transforming lives," he said, adding the plan focuses on private-sector job growth and equitable opportunity.

Herdig said the county will work to align priorities among 59 municipalities, Team NEO (the regional JobsOhio affiliate) and workforce partners; he announced a summer meeting of regional economic-development leaders to coordinate incentives and priorities. He described staff assignments that will pair county development personnel with groups of suburbs to provide day-to-day assistance and to streamline business attraction and retention efforts.

Council members pressed staff on several items. The council president asked that the plan explicitly note climate considerations and continuity with prior plans; Herdig said the county's sustainability strategic plan will be referenced and the economic-development lending programs are being adjusted to consider sustainability in underwriting and incentives. Councilwoman Simon asked whether the county would perform an independent economic-impact study on the proposal to move the Browns stadium to Brook Park; Herdig said the county had not done such a study and that he would "note that" request to his superiors in the administration. Councilman Gallagher pressed why the county had not been more involved earlier in several large projects near the airport and said the county should ensure it's not "late to the party" when large investments occur in suburbs.

Herdig also summarized the county's role in workforce coordination, noting the Cleveland-Cuyahoga County Workforce Development Board (recently renamed Greater Cleveland Works) is the formal workforce board and that the county appoints half its members. The plan calls for continuing county funding for education programming and deeper coordination with Ohio Means Jobs and other partners.

After questions, the committee moved Resolution 20250212 to the full council for a second reading. The motion was seconded and approved by voice vote.

What happens next: The plan will return to full County Council for the formal readings required under the charter; committee members requested that added language on climate, continuity with prior plans and a county economic-impact analysis of the Browns stadium proposal be prepared for council consideration.