County Executive Russell M. Pry to Host Summit on Economic Development, Keynote Speaker Dr. Ned Hill

County Executive Russell M. Pry will be hosting a Summit on Economic Development on Tuesday, May 12, 2009, from 9 a.m. – 3 p.m., at the John S. Knight Center, located at 77 East Mill Street in downtown Akron.

The all-day, county-wide, professional conference is designed to provide citizens with an opportunity to: network with economic development professionals, participate in educational breakout sessions and learn more about the programs, services and opportunities that are available to members of the business community. Breakout sessions include:

• Got Money? How Federal Funding Can Help Your Business Prosper
  Meet with staff members representing federal congressional leaders and senators.
   
• Big Opportunities for Small Business Owners
  Meet with representatives from the following economic development agencies: Cascade Capital Corporation, Northeast Ohio Trade & Economic Consortium, Summit County Port Authority, Summit Medina Business Administration and The Job Center.
   
• Community Development Programming 101
  Meet with program specialists from municipalities throughout Summit County to discuss home loan programs, housing rehabilitation services, home weatherization assistance and more.

Dr. Ned Hill, vice president of economic development, interim dean of the Maxine Goodman Levin College of Urban Affairs at Cleveland State University, will be serving as the keynote speaker. The title of his presentation will be, What is going on? The macroeconomy in a turbulent time.

County Executive Russell M. Pry will then close the event by facilitating a panel discussion on issues relating to the efforts being put forth by his administration to boost economic development throughout Summit County.

Event sponsors include: the Greater Akron Chamber of Commerce (GAC), the Northeast Ohio Trade & Economic Consortium (NEOTEC), Robert W. Baird & Company, Roetzel & Andress, Silverlode Consulting Corporation and the Summit County Port Authority.

The deadline to register for this event is Wednesday, May 6, 2009. The cost is $20 per person. Breakfast and lunch are provided.

For more information contact the Summit County Department of Community and Economic Development at 330-643-2893, or click on www.co.summit.oh.us.