ADVANCEGREATER AKRON

bigger. bolder. better.2014-2018

ADVANCE GREATER AKRON FACT: 53 economic development projects created 3,219 jobs and produced over $1,117.95 million in capital investment.4

No oNe caN go it aloNe. DoiNg busiNess iN gReateR akRoN meaNs iNvestiNg iN the woRk of the chambeR. - tom stRauss, president & CeO, summa health system

FACT: 1,517 business retention and expansion visits, offering business assistance services in Summit, Portage and Medina counties.

all of us together.Why? Because the Greater Akron region (Medina, Portage and Summit counties) is seeing its most transformational period in decades.

Why? Because the coming era will be one of huge opportunity, with potential for growth, human development, image, physical improvements, enhanced value, increased capacity.

Why? Because the Greater Akron Chamber is a leader in regional and local economic development, hugely respected among our peers.

Why? Because both historic and new institutions universities, biomedicine, urban champions, STEM education, arts, parks and cultureare changing our attitudes about ourselves.

Why? Because the Midwestern city is becoming a Place to Be for young professionals.

The Greater Akron Chamber has completed an ambitious program for the betterment of the Greater Akron region and increased opportunity for all. After six months of extensive analysis, our comprehensive Strategic Economic Develop-ment Plan builds on achievements and sets audacious goals.

We invite you to participate. Be one of our high-level investors.

help move us forward.

momentum belongs to those who can run. energy is all.

5

AnThony J. AlexAnder President & CEO, FirstEnergy Corporation

riChArd J. KrAMer Chairman, President & CEO, The Goodyear Tire & Rubber Co.

JoSePh S. KAnFer Chairman & CEO, GOJO Industries Inc.

Co-ChAirS, AdVAnCe GreATer AKron

ADVANCE GREATER AKRON FACT: Greater Akron Chamber regularly hosts business delegations from around the world.6

Our VisiOn: A high quAlity Of life fOr All citizens Of the greAter AkrOn regiOnAchieving this vision requires a vibrant and sustainable economy supported by leadership from business, government, and education.

In support of this vision, our mission is to drive economic development and enhance prosperity for the citizens and businesses of the Greater Akron region. Business development creates a better quality of life for everyone.

Talent, Innovation and Leadership will drive the next era of Greater Akron success.

The Greater Akron Chamber Strategic Economic

Development Plan resulted from six months of

extensive analysis. The process included leadership

assessment, analysis of major economic opportunities

and other critical issues, and interviews, meetings and

working sessions with over 125 leaders of the Greater

Akron region.

TalenTEducation connEctivity Strengthen our schools to ensure students are prepared, succeed academically, graduate from college, and enter a career.

dEmand-SidE trainingAlign employers needs with our partner organizations focusing on workforce development.

talEnt markEtingDevelop a comprehensive talent attraction and retention strategy for the Akron metro area.

downtown vitalityTransition our urban core into a safe, clean and vibrant downtown with high-value employment, affordable residential living, dining, entertainment and culture.

InnovaTIonakron mEtro markEtingSell the strengths of Greater Akron to businesses outside the region.

incrEaSE rEtEntion and ExpanSionActively increase support for existing businesses to ensure they stay here. Assist with expansion opportunities.

rEgional placES of opportunityPartner in the creation of mixed environments with housing, commercial and office development in Summit, Portage and Medina counties.

accElEratE innovation cEntErSExtend the impact of Austen BioInnovation Institute in Akron, Akron BioMedical Corridor and innovation centers focused on biotech, life science and healthcare industries.

Build EmErging BuSinESSSupport high growth businesses by helping entrepreneurs to thrive.

leadershIpcEo EngagEmEntBuild a senior leadership sustainability blueprint to assure new CEOs are properly equipped to embrace leadership positions in organizations such as Akron Tomorrow and the Chamber Board.

nExt gEnEration lEadErShipEngage Greater Akrons emerging business leadership on issues important to supporting the Chambers mission and regional progress.

corE BuSinESS valuEEnhance value for our members by helping them achieve operational and financial competitiveness. Increase membership to 2500.

rEgionaliSmContinue our commitment to the regional economic competitiveness strategy for Northeast Ohio.

ADVANCE GREATER AKRON FACT: Advocated for continued investment at the State & Federal levels for economic development. 7

We WIll InvesT In:

FACT: 406,718 website visits by businesses, individuals, consultants, and others looking to gain information & knowledge in our market.

Our strategy is fOcused On attracting new businesses, keeping the Ones that are here and retaining Our talent, with a fOcus On yOung prOfessiOnals. we alsO will invest where it makes sense. the key nOw is executing this strategy.- virginia albanese, president & Ceo, Fedex Custom CritiCal, immediate past Chair, greater akron Chamber

biomediCal Corridor. impact business attraction & expansion.

akron metro partners. strengthen partnerships across medina, portage and summit counties.

austen bioinnovation institute in akron. build talent and technologies. Create industries.

university park allianCe. unique. positive. akron-centric.

downtown redevelopment. how downtown will grow up.

summit eduCation initiative. sei, the support of educational excellence.

engaging senior Ceos. experienced and ready to lead.

developing next generation leaders. bringing up the next wave of brilliance.

neo Collaboration. we are the centerpiece of a powerful 18-county region.

Our biggest drivers Of success, Our majOr OppOrtunities

8

ADVANCE GREATER AKRON FACT: The Chamber partners with economic development organizations in the three counties for business retention & expansion.

The power of six: whaTs new? You know about our six priorities through Advance Greater Akron. Do you know whats new? The following selected objectives have been enhanced or introduced to make sure we are future oriented and dynamic in our efforts.

Grow Greater akron: strenGthen our economy, retain and attract businesses and talent

New objective: Create opportunities and support structures for high-growth emerging businesses and entrepreneurs to thrive and attain self-sufficiency.Enhanced objective: Actively work to support existing businesses to ensure they stay in the community. Assist with expansion opportunities. Enhanced objective: Attract target business sectors including polymers, liquid crystals, advanced energy, biomedical, instruments, controls and electronics, logistics. Focus on R&D to create additional jobs, diversify the economy.

invest in human capital: build a well prepared, competitive workforce

New objective: Strengthen Summit Countys P-16 schools to ensure students are ready to succeed academically and graduate from college.

promote Greater akron: tell our story internally and externally

New objective: Develop and implement a talent attraction and retention marketing strategy. Enhanced objective: Develop and implement a targeted marketing/PR campaign in collaboration with our Akron Metro economic development partners.

revitalize our physical assets

Enhanced objective: Partner in the assessment and support of the best ways to build premier research and innovation centers.

enhance value for our core businesses

Deliver enhancements to membership benefits to increase our members return on investment.

create the capacity to succeed

New objective: Identify and cultivate next generation leaders: individuals with the strongest potential to assure a seamless transition of Greater Akrons critical issues.

2

1 3

4

5

6

9

What Will it take to get there? Our 2014-2018 strategic plan will require $4.3 million in annual investment. We will raise the funding needed by continuing to grow the Chambers overall membership and by seeking five-year funding commitments.

leveraging your investmentForeverydollarinvestedintheGreaterAkronChamber,

werealizeareturnofalmost9:1ofnewcapital

investmentinourregion.

ADVANCE GREATER AKRON FACT: The Akron BioMedical Corridor is expected to create 3,000 jobs over the next five years.

TalenT, InnovaTIon & leadershIp how wIll we measure success?1. Our 2009-2013 goal was $1 billion in new

capital investment.

2. We exceeded $1 billion by the end of 2012.

3. New goal for 2014-2018: $2+ billion in new capital investment.

4. Benchmark community measurements

Jobs & capital investment

Per capita income

Gross regional product

Educational attainment

whaTs IT To you?The leaders of our community know what drives this market. We hope you will accept your role as that kind of leader.

10

FACT: The University of Akron, Kent State University, Hiram College and Northeast Ohio Medical University enhance economic competitiveness.

THis is your Time.

Your company will receive valuable member benefits when you invest in our shared success.

In addition to all the benefits of basic and business member-ship, investor-level members receive:

Six excluSive inveStor-only eventS eligibility for nomination to the board Premium memberShiP liSting chairmanS recePtion at the annual meeting engraved Plaque for your office recognition in the chamber lobby

taking your Place with the leaderS of our region.

11

AccelerAte GreAter Akron. the GreAter Akron chAmber, its members,

investors And All its strAteGic pArtners hAve Accomplished biG thinGs. now we Are reAdy to turn the corner with GreAter enerGy,

into more rApid proGress.- chuck Jones, president, FirstenerGy,

Chairman of the Board, the Greater akron ChamBer

One Cascade Plaza, 17th FloorAkron, Ohio 44308-1192

330-376-5550 www.greaterakronchamber.org

All photos except p. 11, bottom right, by bruce Ford photography.

GAC_Investor_Booklet_CoverGAC_Investor_Booklet_1GAC_Investor_Booklet_2GAC_Investor_Booklet_3GAC_Investor_Booklet_4GAC_Investor_Booklet_5GAC_Investor_Booklet_6GAC_Investor_Booklet_7GAC_Investor_Booklet_8GAC_Investor_Booklet_9GAC_Investor_Booklet_10GAC_Investor_Booklet_Back