CLEVELAND — Ohio Gov. Mike DeWine and Lt. Gov. Jon Husted started the work week with a visit to Cleveland on Monday to provide an update on the Cleveland Innovation District, which was launched earlier this year.
“The Innovation District will attract and retain STEM graduates, making Ohio a global leader in developing life-saving research and treatments," Gov. DeWine said during a press conference on Monday.
The Innovation District includes the collaborative efforts of Case Western Reserve, Cleveland Clinic, Cleveland State University, MetroHealth and University Hospitals.
“Here in Cleveland these world-class health care providers and institutions of higher education are combining their expertise to bolster Ohio’s healthcare and IT sectors, and to truly, truly make Northeast Ohio a magnet for fast-growing companies seeking the talent and innovations that will bring high-paying, long-term jobs to Northeast Ohio," Gov. DeWine said.
He also added that the Cleveland Clinic has already filled 300 new positions toward a seven-year commitment of 1,000 new jobs that are directly related to the Cleveland Innovation District.
"This includes promising careers in research, education, information technology and the supply chain,” Gov. DeWine said.
When it was first announced back in January, the Cleveland Innovation District was revealed as a $565 million plan aimed at bringing together Northeast Ohio’s healthcare providers and education institutions with a goal of creating a pathogen center with global reach to improve the lives of millions of people. Gov. DeWine’s office also said the plan would generate more than 20,000 jobs in Ohio throughout the next 10 years.
“10,000 of these will be direct jobs in healthcare and high-tech industries throughout the region," DeWine said during the plan’s initial announcement. "The other 10,000 jobs will be indirect jobs, benefiting from the Innovation District’s investment in the region. The expected output over 10 years will create $3 billion in economic impact in Cleveland."
We streamed Monday's event, which you can watch in full below:
Following the press conference, a panel discussion was held with leaders from all five institutions involved in the Cleveland Innovation District.
Those participating in the panel discussion include:
- Bill Koehler (moderator), Team NEO CEO
- Michael Goldberg, Executive Director of the Veale Center for Entrepreneurship and Associate Professor of Design and Innovation, Case Western Reserve University
- Serpil Erzurum, MD, Chief Research and Academic Officer, Cleveland Clinic
- Harlan Sands, JD, MBA, President, Cleveland State University
- Julie Jacono, Senior Vice President, Chief Strategy and Innovation Officer, MetroHealth
- David Sylvan, President, UH Ventures