The Beacon Journal invited the 58 participants on the three-day “InterCity Leadership Visit” to Omaha, Neb., to summarize their observations of the visit and how it could affect Akron. Here are some excerpts. (Complete comments from all participants are online at www.ohio.com/betty.)
S. Theresa Carter, president, Omnova Solutions Foundation
It was quite obvious that economic development has been a top priority in Omaha; and their exceptional philanthropic efforts speak volumes about their great success. Equally impressive were their programs around retention and talent that could easily be incorporated into our programming for possible greater outcomes. Although Omaha is much larger than Akron, it became apparent that we mirrored some of their successful initiatives plus more ... just on a smaller scale.
Bill Considine, president and CEO, Akron Children’s Hospital
My belief in our Akron community was magnified through this visit. We need to engage sectors of our community and develop proactive and collaborative plans for our downtown. Priorities, from my perspective, remain: a downtown hotel, a downtown arena, job attraction through entities like the Austen BioInnovation Institute in Akron (ABIA), and talent development and retention with the help of groups like the Summit Education Initiative (SEI).
Each community has its own DNA. Akron is different from Omaha, yet also has a DNA made for success. We need to focus on priorities that can have the biggest impact, make possibilities happen, and avoid excuses and special interest polarization.
Cory Finding, chief business development officer, WiredViews
High-tech companies like Segmint and WiredViews struggle to find skilled talent. Omaha has created a culture of technology that is evident by walking their streets. The city is shiny and full of new construction that exudes a feeling of high-tech. But just because a city looks high-tech, doesn’t necessarily mean it fosters high-tech growth. In contrast, Akron’s culture and cityscape are steeped in history and character. The city offers an eclectic mix of modern and rustic and provides a place where high-tech companies can creatively shape the spaces they occupy.
Suzie Graham, president, Downtown Akron Partnership
Places like Omaha and Akron are challenged in the process of re-investing in existing infrastructure. Our vehicular-centered, 20-minute commute cities are not pressed to renovate our urban core while unprotected land resources are inexpensively available to develop through sprawl.
Downtown areas present unique, sustainable opportunities with pockets of dense, mixed-use, repurposed raw space with proximity to living, work, entertainment, arts, social space, public transportation and like-minded people. Such places are fertile ground to spark entrepreneurship, innovation, and authentic urban neighborhood development that are critical to a city’s character, culture and sense of place. I’m excited to see how we can make strides forward in cultivating a balance of business, residents, retail, entertainment, students and visitors with vibrant social and green spaces connected with sustainable transportation in downtown Akron and stems from our won’t-quit rubber city grit. Sometimes the greatest of pioneers are those that choose to stay close, and make things better.”
— Compiled by Betty Lin-Fisher
