*COVID-19 Updates* New COVID-19 CDC Guidelines will be effective on Wednesday, September 22, 2021 for the Civic Center and Rec Center as set forth in Mayor Matthew Burke's Announcement (which you can view on the News page as well as the Mayor's page).* We will continue to monitor recommendations from the CDC, Ohio Department of Health and Governor Mike Dewine during this public health crisis.

Economic Development Department


Noreen Kuban, Esq.
Economic Development Director
216-475-5484
nkuban@garfieldhts.org

Patricia Salemi
Community/Public Relations Coordinator
216-475-1100 x2425
psalemi@garfieldhts.org

Karyn Andel
Administrative Assistant
216-475-5384
kandel@garfieldhts.org

Available Commercial/Industrial Properties:
https://www.ohio.zoomprospector.com
 

 

Economic Development is always a challenge, but the city is committed to working on quality projects such as the redevelopment of the City View Center that is now underway (new name: Highland Park). These projects can be tedious but the results of a stimulated economy with more jobs is certainly worth the time and effort.
 

  • Short and long-range planning, land development, public improvements and economic and community development. Business retention/expansion, to expand the industrial, retail and commercial tax base and create jobs.

    • Example of a redevelopment project – Highland Park (formerly City View Center) redesigned & renovated into an office/light industrial park
      https://icpllc.com/approach/acquisition

    • Example of a renovation – Garfield Commons

    • Future renovation – Kmart on Rockside Road

  • Engage with business owners, brokers and deal effectively with a wide array of stakeholders, work collaboratively with city staff to engage community leaders and residents to implement strategies to develop a sustainable community.

  • Financial programs for businesses, resources, programs and incentives for business, workforce development and job sustainability. See new programs below.

  • Develop and manage tax incentive programs for attracting businesses to the city. Enterprise Zone, Community Reinvestment Area, Tax Increment Financing for businesses; Community Reinvestment Area incentives for residential developments (examples: Jennings Center for Older Adults and Holy Spirit Church).

  • Land & real estate transactions and zoning by referendum.

  • Garfield Heights Land Reutilization Program (Land Bank): property acquisition, land consolidation, residential “Side Lot Program” for the benefit of residents in expanding their yards.

  • A Master Plan, is a document that steers the city in achieving its long-range plans. The city received a $50,000 grant from the Cuyahoga County Planning Commission to update the city’s plan: “Rural Town to First Suburb – Planning for Garfield Heights’ Next Century.”
    https://www.countyplanning.us/news/news/county-planning-announces-2020-community-planning-grant-awardees

  • Maintain a vacant commercial/industrial property listing, inventory of available properties that includes retail, warehouse, industrial space and vacant land. Visit the ZoomProspector website (note that properties are continually being added or deleted).
    https://www.zoomprospector.com/communities/oh/city/garfield-heights/3929428

  • Grant writing (example: the city was awarded a $1,046,000 grant to demolish vacant, blighted properties).

  • Develop and maintain relationships with community, economic and workforce development partners, regulatory agencies, state, county and local government (identifying and matching resources as needed). Maintain relationships with local business leaders, elected officials and residents, civic groups and community organizations such as:

    • Local: Garfield Heights City School District, Cuyahoga Valley Career Center, churches, resident groups;

    • Public sector: Cuyahoga County, Cuyahoga County Department of Development, Cuyahoga County Planning Commission, State agencies, U.S. Small Business Administration, other cities, First Suburbs Development Council (FSC), housing agencies, Northern Ohio Area Coordinating Agency (NOACA), Northeast Ohio Regional Sewer District (NEORSD), Cuyahoga Soil & Water Conservation District, Cuyahoga County Solid Waste District, Millcreek Watershed Partners, Cleveland Metroparks;

    • Private sector: Marymount Hospital/CCF, Greater Cleveland Partnership, TeamNEO, real estate organizations (commercial and residential), Cuyahoga County Land Reutilization Corporation (CCLRC), business groups; and

    • City representative: on numerous local and regional economic development organizations, appropriate boards and commissions.

NEW PROGRAMS FOR SMALL BUSINESSES
February 9, 2021

 

Experts United: https://www.brandxcleveland.com

Brand X is a resource for leaders thinking through crisis while planning for recovery. We believe small businesses, organizations and nonprofits need to get ready and we are here to provide answers. We are Experts United: advising Cleveland businesses, organizations and nonprofit leaders free of cost. Learn from our team of Cleveland-based brand, creative, media, public relations, user experience, marketing strategy, fundraising strategy and sales experts who provide you with pro-bono answers to your questions.

Small Business Development Center at CSU: https://www.csusbdc.com

The Small Business Development Center, within the Monte Ahuja College of Business at Cleveland State University, is the first SBDC in the nation to have a partnership and be located in a library. Hosted at the Cleveland Heights Public Library, when you visit, you will find an innovative, collaborative, convenient space with on-site business advisors ready to help you start, sustain or grow your business. Because of our funding from the SBA and ODSA, we are able to provide complementary advising and education. We are measured by our ability to help you start your own business, create and retain jobs, increase sales and obtain financing. Meetings with advisors are by appointment only. Make yours today.

Regarding our services, the SBDC provides low to no-cost, confidential, in-depth, one-on-one conseling for businesses that will or currently employ under 500 employees. In addition to individual counseling, we offer training, e-counseling, quality-based assessments, technical assistance, loan packaging guidance and information about federal, state and local regulations and programs. All services are free and confidential. For more information or to make an appointment with a business advisor, please contact Katie Van Dyke, Director, at 216-321-1633 or k.vandyke@csuohio.edu.

CARES Act: https://www.csusbdc.com/cares-act-consulting

Businesses that have been impacted by COVID-19 – consulting from the Small Business Development Center (SBDC) at Cleveland State University is available at no charge.

ARTICLES OF INTEREST

 

Industrial Commercial Properties enters winning - and only - bid at auction for City View Center:
https://icpllc.com/industrial-commercial-properties-enters-winning-and-only-bid-at-auction-for-city-view-center
 


Photo source Michelle Jarboe / Crain’s Cleveland Business
Written by Michelle Jarboe / Crain’s Cleveland Business

A Solon-based real estate developer will take control of the failed City View Center retail project in Garfield Heights, after entering the winning — and the only — bid for the property.

During a brief auction Thursday morning, Dec. 10, an affiliate of Industrial Commercial Properties LLC offered $2 million for the 60-acre shopping center, which already is being repositioned as a business park.

Highland Park redevelopment – Industrial Commercial Properties

Kmart renovation – by Industrial Commercial Properties:
https://icpllc.com/industrial-commercial-properties-buys-garfield-heights-kmart-for-1-4-million
 


12501 Rockside Road.
Image courtesy of Industrial Commercial Properties

Industrial Commercial Properties has acquired a former Kmart building in Garfield Heights, Ohio, for $1.4 million. The seller of the property at 12501 Rockside Road was a private investor based in California. The transaction was part of a 1031 Exchange, facilitated by NorthStar Title Services.

ICP obtained a $2.1 million acquisition and development loan from Home Savings Bank, according to Cuyahoga County records. This transaction marks the property’s first sale since it was constructed in 1977.

The new owner is planning major renovations for the 89,300-square-foot facility. Its structure and height allow for an adaptive reuse project, which could bring an assembly, warehouse or retail development. This is not the first time ICP has acquired a former Kmart location, with plans to repurpose the property. Earlier this year, the company acquired the former Dillard’s store at Midway Mall in Elyria, Ohio.

According to Chris Semarjian, ICP’s owner, this redevelopment aims to retain and create jobs in the city. Vic Collova, Mayor of Garfield Heights, said in a prepared statement that the vision behind this project promises to bring a long-term benefit to the community.

Spreading across 9.3 acres, the property is nearly 4 miles from the Interstate 480 intersection with Interstate 77 and 14 miles from Cleveland Hopkins International Airport. Numerous restaurants and shopping centers are within 1 mile of the facility.