CAMP President, Stephen Gage moderated a panel to discuss how and why importing companies to Cleveland is an important part of economic development strategy last Tues 6/17. With exception of Tech Czar, Tim Moran, the other two panelists seemed more interested in promoting their agenda of bringing companies to Cleveland, rather than trying to create an environment that would be beneficial for ANY business in the region. In questioning, Howard Gudell, President of the OH-Israel Chamber of Commerce, and Leon Polott, President of 5iTech, a local company that brings technologies from the former USSR to US firms, both seemed to reiterate their opening statements.

Gudell was enthusiastic about the positive qualities of Cleveland using the typical generalities of quality of life and affordability, but had little specifics. That may be enough, since he claims to have 40 companies considering NEO as their new home. He did express that a single point person or organization was necessary as a starting point to answer questions and direct concerns for these imported companies. This would be helpful for homespun startups as well. Polott said that the weather was NOT a concern for companies that he deals with, but that he gets worried about a centralized control of new business information. Sounds too Soviet. Both Gudell and Polott had lots of praise for the efforts and accomplishments of BioEnterprise, but of course, both have business relationships with that organization.

Tim Moran was the only member that had some substantial recommendations to help in the attraction of "international or global" companies, using the term CWRU CIO Lev Gonick had recommended instead of the divisional word "foreign." Tim felt that the capital community has need of leadership and one that has vision and willing to accept risk for that vision. Moran was also the only panelist that recognized the value in the impact of a vital grassroots entrepreneur environment. It seemed to me that the others felt that the only source of good ideas and good businesses had to be "foreign."

 (:divend:)