The Future of the Cleveland/Akron Economy

David Brooks recently wrote in the New York Times about the resilience of the American economy and I think that the most resilient place in the US is the rust belt which has been declared economically dead by many an expert. The only problem is to match our true grit with a lucky pot of opportunity or better yet to create some opportunities.

I will write specifically about Cleveland, Akron and surrounding areas. Both have been hit hard by globalization and recession. From Steel to Tires, many manufacturing jobs have gone overseas or have passed on to the business netherworld. What Cleveland and Akron don't have that New York and Chicago do have is a foundation for tourism. Sure, sure people will get off of the Ohio Turnpike and grab a bite to eat in Macedonia, but the problem is that they get back on. They don't travel north that often. Sure, sure some come to see the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame, but when they've finished with the Rock Hall, can they stroll along a picturesque Lakefront like they can in Chicago?

Akron is the city of invention, but guess what, I didn't know this until six years ago when I moved here. I don't want to hurt anyone's feelings, but I lived in Washington DC for 19 years and not once did a friend of mine say, "Hey let's go out to Akron and check out the Inventor's Hall!" Many people in DC had only heard of Akron once or twice.

That said, we are resilient (and I do mean "we"). How many people are still Browns' fans? Now that is resilience! And Cleveland/Akron still have political pull. We are the swing state!! Not to mention that former White House wonk George Stephanopolous is a fellow Clevelander!! So let's put this muscle and this grit together with some creative thinking. It is time to think outside of the box!!

It was in this spirit that I (unsuccessfully) submitted the following Op-Ed to the Washington Post this past summer:

A Lake Erie Olympics

Michael Jordan wants the next American Summer Olympic games to be held in his city in 2016. As a native Chicagoan, I feel some desire “to be like Mike,” but the economic and humanitarian reality leads me to conclude that the next American Summer Games should take place in Northeastern Ohio in 2020.

To host the games in Chicago, the city of Chicago will have to construct an Olympic park and an Olympic village that will displace the poor and working classes. In contrast to this, the city of Cleveland is economically depressed and could use the construction to foster a Cleveland Renaissance (similar to Barcelona’s Olympic Renaissance). Chicago already has a beautiful Lakefront that draws tourists. The building of an Olympic park and village on the Lake Erie Lakeshore is needed to return Cleveland to its status as a center of tourism and culture.

Detroit is the poorest city in the country and is becoming poorer. Cleveland is the second poorest city in the country. In contrast, Chicago is wealthy and the fundraising that will support its Olympic bid will take away from its already struggling schools and city housing. A Lake Erie Olympics would be a boon to a struggling economy. We could renovate the Lake Erie Lakeshore and build an Olympic Village that could be turned over to the poor of Cleveland as public housing.

Cleveland is six hours from Chicago, six hours from New York, six hours from Washington, eight hours from Philadelphia, six hours from Baltimore, six hours from Toronto and four hours from Detroit. If we manage to build a beautiful Olympic Park in Cleveland, people from these other cities could visit this park and the other cultural institutions that will surround it. The Cleveland Olympic Park could also host LiveAid and other concerts, drawing concertgoers from these cities.

A Lake Erie Olympics would also benefit the poor of the developing world for we will give them a significant percentage of the profit we earn. The poor of this world make the shoes, the uniforms and the equipment of many of the Olympic sports. They should benefit from the Olympics. Chicago is an expensive city. Cleveland, Akron, Detroit, Toledo, Canton, Youngstown, Pittsburgh and Columbus are inexpensive. The Olympic effort would save money in our cities. The construction would cost less because the land costs less. There will be terrible traffic problems in a Chicago Olympics which will run up costs and inconvenience. There is no traffic problem around Lake Erie. We could house many of the athletes in our first rate universities, which in turn would interest these athletes in attending these schools, fostering immigration to Northeast Ohio, which in turn fosters business contacts with home countries, leading to an economic boon for both Ohio and the developing countries that would send immigrants to the Lake Erie region.


Finally, athletics is already an important economic factor for the Lake Erie region. The Akron-Canton area is the cradle of football! Football would make an excellent Olympic sport and the only place to introduce it as an Olympic sport is in its birthplace. We have a wealth of experience in organizing athletic events and an excellent Olympic ambassador in our MVP LeBron James.

I love Chicago. I am a Cubs fan. I love Lake Michigan. I am a Bears fan and a Bulls fan, but I am concerned about the poor. The Lake Erie region is becoming poorer and poorer. The Big Three are struggling. I hope that someday Chicago can host an Olympics, but right now, I firmly believe that the next American Olympics has to be hosted by the good, hard working people of the Lake Erie region and that the proceeds from this Olympics should benefit the global poor.