Even before the Congress passed and President Obama signed the ARRA (commonly known as the “stimulus” Act), The Cuyahoga County Board of Commissioners (BOCC) was working with local and regional partners to identify areas of need, projects that could meet those needs, and ways that the Stimulus funding could help solve the area’s economic problems, preserve and create jobs, and make the best use of our own community resources for the future.
Each of the many ARRA funding opportunities comes with its own set of
deadlines, application procedures, and eligible uses, and they will
take time to become available. This website has a full listing of
county projects funded to date, as well as a wealth of information
about the Stimulus and the recovery.
We identified four general categories for stimulus funding to achieve our goals:
- Investing in clean, efficient and sustainable energy, and nurturing the businesses and jobs necessary to create it
- Advancing our region’s recognized leadership in medical innovation, healthcare and health technology
- Creating livable, healthy communities, by developing access to natural areas, parks and natural resources
- Enhancing and sustaining our neighborhoods and community by sustaining and improving social service programs, transportation and infrastructure, such as roads and bridges.
Download the Cuyahoga County Stimulus Request Report
Cuyahoga County, Ohio Priorities
Federal Economic Stimulus
Cuyahoga County, Ohio has made local investments in Clean Energy Economy, Medical Innovations and Technology, Livable and Healthy Communities and “Promise Neighborhoods.” Because of this previous local investment, Cuyahoga County is prepared to move forward now in the four priority areas identified below. Listed are current or in-the-pipeline initiatives, many of which cross priority areas. Further strategic investments in these areas through the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act will allow this major urban county to leverage its natural, business, and community resources; accelerate the creation of innovative technologies and new jobs; and strengthen its nationally recognized efforts to engage families and neighborhoods in revitalization.
1. Investing in a Clean Energy Economy ($48.3 million + weatherization and home energy and formula)
- Cuyahoga Wind Energy Project (DEV) - $29.3M
- County building energy efficiency (CENT SER)- $8M
- $4 Million for Smart metering pilot / demonstration project for government collaboration; $3 Million Phase 2 of energy efficiency performance contract Providing system upgrades for 2004 energy code compliance, lighting conversion, lamp replacements, automated controls, simple equipment conversions to facilities; $1 Million Window replacement
- Promote and Train a Skilled Clean Technologies Workforce (WORK)- $5 M
- Clean Technology Manufacturing Conversion (DEV) - $5 M
- Regional public-private business incubator network; build on success of local pilot program and investment
- Home Weatherization and Home Energy Assistance (DEV)- by formula
- Vehicle Fleet modernization (CENT SER)- $1 M
- Replace 40 vehicles by end of 2010
Connections to Obama Administration’s priorities: The listed initiatives invest in clean, renewable
energy, create green jobs, support alternative energy research and development and make our public
buildings more energy efficient. In addition, they involve regional innovation and collaboration with our business incubator network, including NORTECH and MAGNET; and convert our manufacturing base to new and clean technologies.
2. Advancing Medical Innovations and Technology ($77 million + MetroHealth)
- Medical Mart/Convention Center – plan to build to Silver LEED standards (upgrade to Platinum LEED) and use renewable energy via Cuyahoga Wind Energy project - $32 M
- Medical Innovations and Manufacturing - MedMart related; working with the Cleveland Clinic Foundation, University Hospitals of Cleveland, Case Western Reserve University, BioEnterprise and a host of other regional business and biomedical enterprises to incubate new businesses, invest in the development of new technologies and new products, including Health Systems Computerization - $40 M
- Promote and Train a Skilled Health Care Workforce - $5 M
- Support for MetroHealth Medical Center– support for the county’s front-line public hospital
Connections to Obama Administration’s priorities: These initiatives leverage our wealth of resources in the medical field, further developing the area as a regional medical and health-care innovation cluster; they invest in “next-generation” innovators and job creators; and involve increased biomedical research. All will stimulate economic prosperity in the metropolitan area.
3. Creating Livability and Healthy Communities - Waterfront Development ($187 million)
- Completion of Towpath Trail - $60M
- Support for Port Authority relocation – $17 M (also connected with Wind Energy project)
- Riverbed Road hillside stabilization (City of Cleveland) - $55M
- Acceleration of Green Bulkhead Project - $15 M
- High Performance Shoreline Management Project - $35 M
- All-Weather Bridge to Wendy Park at Towpath Trailhead - $5 M
Connections to Obama Administration’s priorities: These initiatives focus on waterfront property
(Lake Erie and Cuyahoga River Valley) connecting physical projects with community benefits for
renewable energy; sustainable development; healthy and livable urban communities, including green
space and trails; and leverage the region’s most valuable natural resources.
4. “Promise Neighborhood” Development and Community Enhancement ($108 million + infrastructure and formula)
- Brownfields Redevelopment Fund –$5M
Accelerate existing program and local investment
- Immediate Infrastructure Initiatives of Greater Cleveland Region–
supporting City of Cleveland, Cuyahoga County, NOACA and NEORSD projects, including, but not limited to:
- Innerbelt bridge - $350 M;
- Opportunity Corridor- $300 M;
- West Shoreway-$30 M;
- Gordon Square - $30 M;
- Water/Sewer improvements- $115 M
- Foreclosure and Neighborhood Stabilization - $60 M
Cleveland and Cuyahoga County are ground zero in the fight against foreclosures. This would essentially pair with existing funding and fulfill county needs as they exist today.
- Invest in Children, including universal pre-K - $3 M
Restore and expand current program
- Tapestry System of Care - $3 M
Restore and expand current program
- Food bank support- $2 M
Increases the annual amount given by county for over a decade ($1.1 M)
- Temporary Increase in Food Stamps- by formula
- Temporary Increase in Unemployment Benefits (including Health Care Insurance)- by formula
- DCFS Family-to-Family Collaborative- by formula
- Community Re-entry skills training - $10 M
- Office of Homeless Services- by formula
Connections to Obama Administration’s priorities: Several of these initiatives connect to early
childhood education and establishing “promise neighborhoods” in areas of concentrated poverty. The
immediate infrastructure initiatives will also promote neighborhood improvements and development, with a goal of improving the area’s economic prosperity.
TOTAL STIMULUS INVESTMENT REQUEST for CUYAHOGA COUNTY: $420.3 MILLION
(not including general infrastructure and formula funding increases)