Long-time Akron mayor Don Plusquellic is set to retire at the end of the month, after decades in office. Plusquellic’s tenure included a rebirth of Akron from the “Rubber Capital of the World” to a hub of polymer research and business; and the creation of a biomedical corridor, among other initiatives. But what will come of Akron’s economic strategy once Plusquellic’s gone?
For a perspective on that ideastream's Tony Ganzer spoke with Dan Colantone, president and CEO of the Greater Akron Chamber of Commerce.
COLANTONE: “We’ve had a five-year advanced Greater Akron economic development strategy in place starting in 2014, and we’ve had one prior to that as well, and the city and the county and the university have been aligning around that strategy. So we’ve been working together a number of years, and we will continue to maintain that focus around business development, economic development, and community development.”
GANZER: “Don Plusquellic is such an out-sized personality, and he’s been there for so long, some people might think ‘is he the glue that holds it all together?’ What do you say to that perspective, or appearance?”
COLANTONE: “Well I believe he’s set a vision, he’s carried through with that vision, he’s left a legacy of outstanding results. Much of his vision and his leadership have been aligned in some of the things our plan calls for as it relates to, as an example, the business retention and expansion of our existing businesses, job creation, are just a couple of the examples of our strategy that are in line with the mayor’s work along the way.”
GANZER: “One part of what Plusquellic has done is he took a number of international trips, and he did take some heat for some of those trips and how much they cost. I wonder, is this still part of the future plan, too? Trying to get outside investment, foreign investment for the Akron area?”
COLANTONE: “I believe you have to definitely attract business to the community, and you have to brand yourselves, but you also have to build relationships. And one of the things that the Greater Akron Chamber—and we used to be called the Akron Regional Development Board—back in the 70s and all the way through to today, have had in our strategy the importance of telling the message outside the region, outside of the United States and particularly in places like Germany, where there are so many connections back to our strengths in the polymer industry. So I believe there will still be a strong emphasis on the attraction of business, but also a major part of what we do is work with the existing businesses.”
GANZER: “A number of things have come during the mayor’s tenure: business incubators, biomedical corridor, polymer businesses connected to the university and otherwise. Does it concern you at all that you’re going to have to start anew, with a new mayor?”
COLANTONE: “You know, I don’t believe so. I think that the innovative approach that the mayor has taken with some members of the business community—for example, the investment into an incubator in Israel, and already seeing some successes come back to our own incubator/accelerator here. I believe that there’s a number of young up-and-coming executives, business leaders, young professionals, that will continue to work together in a collaborative way to dream big, focus in on the right kind of priorities that will move the community forward, and continue to inspire innovation.”
GANZER: “You were talking before about the personal relationships that are needed in business. Do you think that Akron-at-large has created enough business relationships to continue outside of the mayor’s tenure now, without that personal touch?”
COLANTONE: “You can’t emphasize enough about how the mayor’s been a cheerleader for our city. I mean just look at his leadership across this country, and being a spokesman for greater Akron, and that’ll be missed. He’s been an amazing leader to this city, but he’s also set out a vision, and a direction from his view, from the political side, that’s necessary to build the best product, the best city possible. And I think others will step up. It will be a challenging time, no question, but the future is bright.”
