20 minute read
economy
like the way the world merged home and work. Having a common struggle in the pandemic unlocked vulnerability, he said.
“It allowed new sensitivities, new realizations about how work and life fit together, and how they can fit together,” Siegal said. “By increasing communication and increasing dialogue, it increased trust, because we realized that each person is going to absolutely get their work done, and they’re going to find a way. And we just have to help each other help each other.”
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To continue what has become a culture shift, Siegal said the company is leaving return to work and what it looks like as an open issue, rather than being prescriptive about it. Leaders will “cherry-pick” what worked in the past year and roll it forward.
As employers figure out how the pandemic has shaped and will continue to shape their culture, they’re also dealing with more practical questions about how and how much to continue the flexibilities of the past year as they bring employees back into offices.
“If you have an employer who’s willing to be more flexible and understand those dynamics, you don’t have employees making up excuses of why they can’t be at work. Instead, they get creative about how they can be at work,” deBardelaben-Phillips said. “If we can actually be up front and say here’s what’s happening, here’s the flux shift that I’m planning to work today, it just makes it better for everybody.”
Across industries, many believe in the power of face-to-face meetings, whether it’s for an investment, sale, partnership or other connections, said Michael Goldberg, a faculty member at Weatherhead School of Management at Case Western Reserve University who runs the Veale Institute for Entrepreneurship.
“I think there’s no substitute for being in person, and yet, we all seemed to figure out over the last year ways to substitute for being in person,” he said.
In the near-term, he said, people are starting to understand one another’s comfort levels for meeting in person again, even once fully vaccinated.
“Perhaps it’s like the art of understanding — whether it’s your customer, whether it’s your partner — how they feel,” Goldberg said.
As people are excited to reunite, there’s also some trepidation on whether to do so, and how to communicate ongoing health and safety concerns.
Because people haven’t yet mastered navigating new social norms, workplaces need leadership and agreement on how to function. Some may be eager to return, others are apprehensive, and some would rather remain home, having flourished in the past year. With that range of responses, there will be tensions and awkward conversations, Kearney said.
“So this really requires that we be gentle with each other and understanding with each other and be proactively relational to each other,” he said. “Find out where and how people were affected by this and how they were impacted by this. And have quieted conversations after we unify, but we will. We will all tell our stories.”
COVID-19 BY THE NUMBERS
The recovery is underway, but economic metrics show just how far we have to go
BY ` MICHELLE JARBOE | From mid-March to mid-April of 2020, employment in the Cleveland area tumbled nearly 24%. Once-stable jobs evaporated overnight. Hotels shut down, furloughing thousands of workers across the state. Restaurant dining rooms went dark.
As the pandemic pushed the nation’s economy into a recession, white-collar workers retreated to their home offices. Women, hard-hit by layoffs and juggling child care and remote learning responsibilities, disappeared from the labor force at striking levels. Scads of small businesses quietly closed their doors.
Now, many economists say the recession is just about over. COVID-19 cases are falling. In Ohio, more than 20% of the population has received at least one dose of a vaccine. Job postings and business reopenings are rising. The housing market remains red hot.
Still, many economic metrics haven’t rebounded to pre-pandemic levels. The recovery is fragile, tempered by fears about virus variants and political fights over reopening schedules. It’s also lopsided, leaving some sectors and families behind.
The start of this year was particularly bleak for small hospitality and leisure businesses in the Cleveland area, for example, according to an economic data tracker created by Opportunity Insights, a nonprofit organization housed at Harvard University. And low-wage workers, who experienced a 37.6% drop in employment roughly a year ago, still have the steepest hill to climb.
Here’s a snapshot of where the Cleveland metropolitan area stands, compared with where it was at the beginning of 2020:
Employment 8.8%
` Decrease in overall employment, through early 2021.
16%
` Decrease in employment for workers who earn less than $27,000 a year.
7%
` Decrease in employment for workers making $27,000 to $60,000 a year.
3.2%
` Decrease in employment for workers making more than $60,000 a year.
6.6%
` Increase in local job postings that require little education, from January 2020 to March of this year.
58.7%
` Decrease in local job postings with the heftiest education requirements.
High-wage employment has largely recovered, but low-wage workers are su ering
The employment rate in the Cleveland metropolitan area has nearly returned to pre-pandemic levels for workers who make more than $60,000 a year. That’s not the case for workers who earn less than $27,000.
5%
0
-5%
-10%
-15%
-20%
Employment rate
-25%
-30%
-35%
-40%
Feb 1Jan 14
2020
Mar 1 Apr 1 May 1 Jun 1 Jul 1 Aug 1 Sep 1
High-wage worker employment rate Middle-wage worker employment rate Low-wage worker employment rate Total employment rate
Oct 1 Nov 1 Dec 1
SOURCE: OPPORTUNITY INSIGHTS, DRAWING ON DATA FROM EARNIN, INTUIT, KRONOS AND PAYCHEX. FIGURES ARE NOT SEASONALLY ADJUSTED. CRAIN’S CLEVELAND BUSINESS GRAPHIC
Sector impact 32.7%
` Decline in the number of small businesses open, as of early March. That’s an improvement from April 2020, when small business operations were down by 49.5%.
54%
` Decrease in the number of small leisure and hospitality businesses that are open. That’s a near-record low, a decline even from March and April of 2020.
35.5%
` Decline in small business revenue through early March.
61.1%
` Revenue decline for small leisure and hospitality businesses.
Spending 12.3%
` Increase in Cleveland-area consumer spending from pre-pandemic levels, as of late February.
49.1%
` Increase in retail spending by Cleveland-area consumers.
72.9%
` Decrease in spending on entertainment and recreation.
11.3%
` Increase in spending on groceries. A year ago, as schools closed and businesses shut down across the state, grocery spending jumped by 72.9%.
33%
` Drop in spending on restaurants and hotels.
Real estate 9.9%
` Decrease in the total time Clevelanders are spending away from home, as of early March.
46.7%
` Decline in the number of homes listed for sale in the Cleveland metro area from early 2020 to early 2021.
12.8%
` Increase in the median sale price for a home in the Cleveland metro area from early 2020 to early 2021.
COVID-19 relief $541.4 million
` Estimated amount of money that the city of Cleveland will receive, over a two-year period, from the latest federal relief package.
$153.4 million
` Estimated amount of money that the city of Akron stands to receive, over two years, from the coronavirus relief package.
$239.5 million
` Cuyahoga County’s estimated two-year share of the federal relief package approved this month.
11.8%
` Share of Cuyahoga County residents who have been fully vaccinated against COVID-19.
6,000
` Number of COVID-19 vaccines expected to be available daily at the Wolstein Center in Cleveland.
CONSTRUCTION CONSTRUCTION
Marous Brothers Construction
Marous Brothers Construction is pleased to welcome Carla Croyle as an Estimator to our Multi-Family Housing Group. Carla will be an integral part of our preconstruction efforts in both our affordable and market-rate housing projects. We are excited to have her as a part of our estimating team.
CONSTRUCTION
Marous Brothers Construction
Marous Brothers Construction is pleased to welcome David Hanson as a Project Manager to our Construction Management Group. David brings 34 years of construction experience to our team. He will be working on the Memphis Towers project for our client, Millenia Housing Group. We look forward to the experience and work ethic that David will be bringing to enhance our team.
CONSTRUCTION
Marous Brothers Construction
Kori (Chapic)
Jesenovec as Business Development Manager. Kori will be working alongside MBC’s current Business Development Director, Arne Goldman, as she will continue to enhance the company’s current market segment specialties and gain traction into new and upcoming market areas.
Marous Brothers Construction
Marous Brothers Construction is pleased to welcome Annie Justmann as Executive Assistant to the Vice President, Operations. Annie will act as the point of contact between the VP and internal or external colleagues and will assist him by managing his schedule, preparing for presentations and recording meeting minutes. Annie will also assist the company by working on different committees, policies, and event planning. She graduated from The Ohio State University in 2015 with a Degree in Nutrition.
CONSTRUCTION
Marous Brothers Construction
Marous Brothers Construction is pleased to welcome Seth Klco as Project Engineer to our Multi-Family Housing Group. Seth is starting his first big project in New Orleans on a major interior and exterior renovation of an affordable housing apartment building for seniors and disabled persons. Seth will assist our Project Manager and Superintendent with drawing reviews, submittals, pay applications, and day-to-day project oversight.
CONSTRUCTION
Tober Building Company
Michael Shea joined Tober Building in 2021 as Director of Business Development. He has 20 years of experience in real estate development, regional planning, and architecture, while also initiating new subsidy models with public-private partnerships and mixed finance. He is involved in the first Rental Assistance Demonstration project in OH, along with developing a strategy for CMHA’s portfolio, and panel seats on groups like CLPHA and NAHRO. He is also a board member of Village Capital Corp.
LAW
Buckingham, Doolittle & Burroughs, LLC
Alan DiGirolamo is returning to Partner status after a brief hiatus as Of Counsel. He has been with Buckingham for more than 30 years. He is a DiGirolamo creditors’ rights and bankruptcy attorney and an experienced litigator, representing clients in collections, creditor bankruptcy matters, general commercial litigation, real estate and construction, arbitration and mediation. Buckingham welcomes Matt Smith as an Associate in the Litigation practice area. Matt works closely with businesses Smith and institutions in Northeast Ohio through intricate legal matters and transactions, finding resolutions to complex issues for clients.
LAW
Buckingham, Doolittle & Burroughs, LLC
Buckingham welcomes Stephen Jett as a Partner in the Litigation practice area. Steve has three decades of complex commercial litigation Jett and administrative appeals experience. He represents various industries, including technology, manufacturing, healthcare, commercial real estate, financial institutions, business owners and owners of significant properties. Buckingham welcomes Carolyn Soeder as an Associate in the Litigation practice area, focused on domestic relations. Soeder Carolyn advocates for clients in all aspects of family law including dissolution, divorce, child custody, parenting time, preparation of antenuptial agreements, child and spousal support, trial work, appellate work and all aspects of postdecree modifications.
LAW
Buckingham, Doolittle & Burroughs, LLC
Buckingham welcomes Chris Niekamp as a Partner in the Litigation and Business groups. He has a diverse commercial/ corporate law practice Niekamp and represents national and local banking institutions, large corporations and small businesses, debtors and creditors in bankruptcy and collection matters, from start-up through dissolution, employment issues, collection, real estate litigation, real estate acquisition, mergers & acquisitions, and shareholder disputes. Buckingham welcomes Justin Tjaden as an Tjaden Associate in the Litigation practice area. Justin handles a wide array of business-related civil matters such as breaches of contract and non-compete agreements, and tries cases in municipal, state, and federal courts, including the court of appeals.
LAW
Buckingham, Doolittle & Burroughs, LLC
Buckingham welcomes
Thomas Delventhal
as an attorney in the Business and Litigation practice areas. Tom is a seasoned business and finance attorney Delventhal with a wide range of experience both as an in-house counsel and in private practice, with a strong background in real estate transactions and finance. He works closely with business teams to structure complex loans, workouts and commercial loan proposals. Buckingham welcomes Wade Doerr as an Associate in the Litigation area who Doerr focuses on commercial real estate and banking law in Northeast Ohio and Western Pennsylvania. His practice includes asset liquidation, trial and appellate work, litigation, contract negotiation, and loan document preparation for banks and small businesses.
LAW
Buckingham, Doolittle & Burroughs, LLC
Buckingham welcomes
Stephen Pruneski
as a Partner in the Litigation group. He specializes in complex civil litigation matters including real estate, Pruneski zoning, construction, business disputes, securities, discrimination and personal injury. He has tried many jury and bench trials, including cases before State and Federal Courts as well as Ohio and Federal Courts of Appeal. Buckingham welcomes Carmen Roberto as an attorney in the Litigation group. Carmen engages in courtroom hearings and Roberto trials and complex civil and criminal litigation. He handles zoning and administrative cases before federal, state and local agencies, such as the Ohio EPA, the Ohio Engineer’s Board, the Atomic Energy Commission and the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission.
LAW
Buckingham, Doolittle & Burroughs, LLC
Buckingham welcomes
Marcus Robertson
as an Associate in the Business practice area. Marcus supports privately-held companies and close Robertson corporations as they navigate commercial transactions, mergers & acquisitions, and general corporate law matters such as entity formation, contract negotiations, and corporate governance issues. Buckingham welcomes
Ryan C. Robinson
as an Associate in the Business practice area. Ryan provides clients with guidance in the areas of corporate law, Robinson real estate & construction law, and mergers & acquisitions. He represents individuals and small businesses to ensure their protection, growth, and success when handling complex legal issues.
VENUES
From Page 4
What about theater?
it’s of marginal help at best. Happy Dog doesn’t intend to reopen until capacity restrictions are completely lifted because the space is too compact to allow effective social distancing. The Beachland Ballroom and Tav-
In the city known for hosting the ern, however, is planning some small first rock concert nearly 70 years ago, indoor shows, and possibly some a thriving music scene has been in a outdoor events. Other small venues
COVID-induced coma for mostly a are doing the same. year. The Beachland’s They Might Be Gi-
But it’s not just music venues wait- ants show originally planned for 2020 ing anxiously to host shows at full ca- is now on target for April 2022. But a pacity. show with singer/songwriter Keller
It was a year ago this month Play- Williams is planned for late October house Square CEO Gina Vernaci an- this year. nounced the coming season’s Key- DJ Steve Aoki is shown at a March 11, 2020 show at The Agora Theater and Ballroom. It During shows this past year, the
Bank Broadway Series. The theater was one of the last events held at the venue before the COVID-19 lockdown. | SAM SKAPIN Beachland has adhered to capacity boasted the largest base of sea- limits by placing tables on the ballson-ticket holders in North America “WE JUST AREN’T REALLY MAKING ANY room floor and installing barriers beat the time. “Ten days later, we were out of MONEY BECAUSE WE STILL HAVE TO PAY A tween the artist and the crowd. Standing room in the Ballroom is business,” Vernaci said. “That was LOT OF EXTRA COSTS BECAUSE WE NEED 500, though. With the socially disjust a body blow that no one could have anticipated.” EXTRA PEOPLE, AND YOU STILL HAVE TO tanced tables, attendance caps at just 15% of that. The layout is such that’s
Since then, Playhouse has post- TAKE CARE OF THE BAND. IT’S A about the max the venue can accomponed or canceled about 1,100 events and performances. BALANCING ACT.” modate under current guidelines. If the Beachland sells every table and
“It was like death by 1,100 cuts,” —Beachland co-owner Cindy Barber every guest has a decent bar tab, the she said. venue should about break even.
The nonprofit laid off or fur- week that on June 11 it will host its that have suffered from a drop in foot “We just aren’t really making any loughed nearly 200 employees short- first live performance since the pan- traffic, including a bevy of restau- money because we still have to pay a ly after lockdowns started. Revenue demic hit. The show, “The Choir of rants that have been clinging to life in lot of extra costs because we need exdropped between 35% to 40% by the Man,” will have a 35-performance the expensive downtown business tra people, and you still have to take end of its fiscal year ending June 30. run with safety precautions and lim- district. care of the band,” said Beachland
It’s currently projecting a $7 million ited capacity. co-owner Cindy Barber. “It’s a balbudget shortfall for fiscal 2021. Playhouse Square will announce ‘Watching what happens’ ancing act.”
“We’ve never faced this kind of loss fall shows planned for its Broadway She added, “We are starting to before,” Vernaci said. Series on April 7. Across venues, events are more have some bigger shows line up in
Donations have helped keep the Vernaci is optimistic pent-up de- likely to occur this summer and fall late August, and it picks up in Seporganization together through this mand for live theater will bring guests as evidenced by Playhouse’s antici- tember. But we’re just trying to keep downtime, which Playhouse Square back out in droves. pated Broadway Series and The Ago- going, keep a little bit of money comhas filled with some virtual events “We see there’s a light at the end of ra’s plans for hosting Dinosaur Jr. in ing in and keep people employed. and educational programming. the tunnel,” Vernaci said, “and the October — a sign the venue is expect- We’re just taking this very, very slow-
In-person live events, and the cash tunnel is starting to look a little short- ing to operate at full capacity by then. ly and watching what happens.” flow they bring, can’t come soon er.” Increased but partial capacity will enough, though. Playhouse Square’s reopening will be meaningful for stadiums and their CRAIN’S CLEVELAND BUSINESS | SEPTEMBER 3 - 9, 2018 | PAGE 21Playhouse Square announced last be huge for surrounding businesses sports teams. But for smaller venues,
ENROLLMENT
From Page 3
Last fall, challenges seemed to keep piling up for Quantez Spears, 25, a Lakeland Community College alum who’s working toward his bachelor’s degree through a partnership between the college and Franklin University.
His roommate tested positive for the virus at one point. It forced him to quarantine and miss shifts at his job. No work meant no money. The semester’s financial aid had red tape around it he had to figure out, too. It all felt overwhelming.
“As a Black man, I’m not sure if it’s a cultural thing, but asking for help or getting the right help is a problem, or the fact that you don’t know exactly
—Gary Carrington, psychology professor at Tri-C
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where to go is a problem,” he said.
Spears tapped into the relationships he built on campus. The student government association gave him money for books. He talked with his peers in the Pathfinders organization. It’s the college’s professional development group for African American male students. He said the support was vital.
Jeffery Linn Thorpe Jr. knows the feeling.
The Tri-C student, 41, prefers hands-on learning. Last year, after struggling through an online math class, he said he considered quitting. Family support and those he connected with through one of the college’s TRIO programs, part of a federal initiative aimed at helping first-generation and low-income students, really helped.
“They stayed in my ear, ‘Don’t give up, keep going, you’re doing good,’ ” he said.
Those connections are especially important for vulnerable populations who may need additional support, said Gary Carrington. He’s a member of 100 Black Men of Greater Cleveland and created a mentoring program in conjunction with the group called the Collegiate 101.
“When you talk to African American male students, that sense of relationship, that sense of engagement, that sense of reaching out, connecting, building relationships is so huge,” said Carrington, also a psychology professor at Tri-C. “You lose a big part of that when you move to that online learning environment..”
Local campuses have outreach efforts. Next month, Tri-C is hosting its first virtual Black and Brown Male Summit. Lorain County Community College officials said continued work with community organizations like the Urban League and Black churches is critical.
Stark State wants to develop a new college version of its Focus on African American Men in Education, or FAME, offering. The current iteration offers mentorship opportunities and helps with test preparation for high schoolers.
And as campuses look ahead, San Diego State’s Harris said he hopes this time gives community colleges a chance to reflect as well.
“Nothing is wrong with the students,” Harris said.
Instead, the problem Harris sees is that colleges aren’t traditionally structured to meet students’ needs.
“How do we conform to what works and fits into the lives of students?” he asked.
Jeremy Nobile: jnobile@crain.com, (216) 771-5362, @JeremyNobile
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