CLEVELAND — There are two major projects in the works, focusing on developing innovation in Northeast Ohio. They are working toward the same goal: Making our area a global leader in technology.
Baiju Shah has been a leader in Northeast Ohio's biomedical and technology scene for nearly two decades. He recently took on the role of CEO at the Greater Cleveland Partnership, and it’s a challenge he’s happy to take on.
“What gets me excited about the role at the Partnership is the region's business leadership group,” Shah told 3News’ Maureen Kyle. “We have over 12,000 members and our mission is to be a catalyst for accelerating economic growth and prosperity.”
He's had his hand in the latest innovation projects that focus in three major areas: Healthcare innovation, smart manufacturing and fresh water innovation.
“If you think of these three industries, this is sort of our past, present and future all coming together, and the common thread throughout all three sectors is it's about digital.”
Examples Shah gives is how health departments used sensors in waste water to determine levels of the coronavirus along with healthcare providers shifting to telehealth technology.
“Transformation in the industry was accelerated by probably a decade because of the changes brought by COVID,” Shah said, “Now a year later, as we've been stressed by supply chain challenges from last March to today, there's more and more connectivity between suppliers and producers. It's leading to more digitally enabled supply chains that becomes a part and parcel of driving the smart manufacturing revolution.”
The plan includes investing in K-12 programs to boost "stem" programs in our local schools, developing talent right here, as well as a program anyone looking for a job.
“The Ohio Work program is specifically focused on these sectors -- the smart manufacturing, IT, healthcare -- where not only are training resources provided but wrap-around support.”
This has the potential to create tens of thousands of jobs. Click here to learn more about training the Ohio Work program provides.