On Spiderman III coming to Cleveland (See Cleveland Film Commission lands Spiderman 3 here) Cleveland does have a future in pictures � and other entertainment as well � if we make it happen. According to the U.S. Department of Labor, motion picture job growth will top 31% over a 10 year period � twice the growth of any other sector in our country. To get a bigger piece of this pie for Cleveland, we need to combine homegrown talent with new steps to become more economically competitive. For cities outside Los Angeles, homegrown talent is key. Consider Austin, Philadelphia and Baltimore, homes respectively to Robert Rodriguez, M. Night Shyamalan and Barry Levinson. Like Cleveland, these cities are not in LA's league when it comes to motion picture production � but each is highly successful nonetheless. Hometown talent parleyed their successes in LA into work for their hometowns. In turn, those cities took steps to make it easier for their native sons and daughters to convince the film industry to spend dollars there, providing free filming facilities, incentives, and film-friendly policies. Anthony and Joe Russo brought their very first LA-financed project back to Cleveland, spending $5.2 million here on Welcome to Collinwood. In order for them and others to convince studios that this is the place to film, we need to take our own steps to show we're open for business. The Greater Cleveland Film Commission is advocating for both a state and for a local measure that will help our community realize its potential in the motion picture field. At a state level, we developed and are working to pass Senate Bill 155 � the Ohio Motion Picture job creation initiative . If SB 155 becomes law, it will not only attract outside motion picture business but would also create a pool that could be tapped by Ohio film makers for indigenous projects. The measure is modeled after a highly successful program in Louisiana (see http://www.businessreport.com/newsDetail.cfm?aid=494 ). Adoption of SB 155 will make us only the second state in the country to have this tool. At a local level, we are advocating for the opportunity to offer frequently unused parts of the Cleveland Convention Center for free as sound stage space for motion picture producers. Like SB 155, a commitment for free sound stage space would make us one of two cities in the whole country with such an advantage. In order to succeed, our community needs to be vocal about the fact that the entertainment industry here means real jobs and real opportunity for Cleveland. We also need to make sure this sector is given due consideration by the elected officials and business leaders who make decisions about how to use our public resources for job creation. Check out www.clevelandfilm.com for updates on these issues, or feel free to email me at ccarmody@clevelandfilm.com .
from Cool Cleveland reader Chris Carmody, President, Greater Cleveland Film Commission, ccarmodyATclevelandfilm.com

On Quicken moving to Cleveland (See Quicken Loans opens Cleveland office here) You will be glad to know that Team NEO, the City of Cleveland, the ODOD and others worked closely with Quicken Loans to attract the new lending center in downtown Cleveland, which will eventually employ 300- 350 people. This is the first lending center that Quicken has deployed outside of Michigan, something about which the city, the region, and state should all be very proud. Admittedly, Dan Gilbert�s comment about potentially considering Cleveland for its headquarters location was certainly a surprise to most, if not all, of us � perhaps even to Quicken employees. Upon hearing Mr. Gilbert�s remarks, Team NEO immediately communicated with the Quicken contacts we had established during the loan center project, including its Vice President for Government Relations, as well as a Public Relations Director; both of whom reiterated that it is very early in the process and that Quicken is bound by it�s current lease for 4 more years. Rest assured that during our discussions with these key personnel, Team NEO stressed that we would be ready to step in to assist Quicken at any time. Throughout these discussions, we communicated with our regional partners, including the Greater Cleveland Partnership, to ensure that we kept our lines of communication open. We all should note, though, that the Quicken headquarters in Livonia, Michigan is still under lease until 2009. We know that Quicken Loans is indeed already conducting talks with parties from Michigan in order to maximize their opportunities, as well as Michigan�s, for Quicken to stay there. In fact, just a week earlier, Mr. Gilbert was quoted by the Detroit News as saying �We are considering and examining Detroit as a place for our headquarters.� All of that said, the county, the city, the GCP and Team NEO are prepared to continue conversations as appropriate. Please bear in mind, however, that business attraction activities of scope are typically kept confidential at the company�s request, until the details are officially announced. Regardless of the outcome of Quicken Loans� headquarters location in 2009, the activities at the end of last week were a terrific exercise in our region�s ability to rapidly respond and collaborate to best serve the needs of our constituents (which includes companies looking at our region as well as the wonderful people that live, learn, work and play in our region). From our public officials to our economic development community, from our media to our blogger community, it�s truly inspiring to see the swift interest that this breaking news was able to garner. So here is what I think about local economic development organizations staying in front of breaking news: we need your help, and that of your readers to continue to do so. The 15 person staff of Team NEO is a growth catalyst, but to change the trajectory of the region�s economy, it will take all of us as business and community leaders acting as a Greater Team NEO: Let us know the biggest opportunities you see. If you know of a significant business that we might attract to the area, drop us a note. If you are considering an expansion of your own business, give Northeast Ohio the first crack at the opportunity. Give Team NEO a chance to help you. If you know of a company with issues that might be solved by connecting them with the resources of our region and state, let us know. That is what retention is all about. Mr. Gilbert clearly feels that Northeast Ohio is a smart location, and that success will breed success, or he wouldn�t have made the statement in first place. Our talented workforce and creative innovations, our diverse industries coupled with our diverse cultures, our educational institutions and geographic location, and our cost of living and quality of life. Northeast Ohio can compete with any region. Worldwide. Period. In short we need you and your readers to be a member of the Greater Team NEO. We need your eyes, ears and relationships so that the biggest opportunities are identified and captured. We need continued positive reinforcement of the tremendous assets of our region. Your newsletter helps, your passion helps, and your body of readers can help. We appreciate you being part of the solution.
from Cool Cleveland reader Carin L. Rockind Director of Marketing and Communications, Team NEO crockindATteamneo.org (:divend:)