Experience Greater Akron 2018-2019

THE ULTIMATE GUIDE TO RELOCATING ACROSS COUNTRY OR ACROSS TOWN • 2018-2019

Experience

GREATER AKRON

SMART MOVES People who are glad they made Greater Akron their new home.

99 Reasons We

LOVE Greater Akron

Karen O’Brien

Christopher Mazziotto

Christine Carter-Kent, M.D.

Moved from San Francisco to Hudson in 2018.

Moved from Connecticut to Kent in 2017.

Moved from Charleston to Akron in 2017.

Josy Jones, actor, director and playwright, and Floco Torres, hip hop musician, moved from Macon, GA to Akron in 2017.

It’s All Happening Here at Furnace and Main St. downtown Akron

ARTS ENTERTAINMENT DINING SHOPPING RECREATION LIVING STAYING

experience everything the district has to offer Over 75 local businesses, shops and artisans Weekly Farmers markets and pop-ups Loft condos for sale or lease www.northsideakron.com

facebook.com/northsidedistrictakron

P C CP E CALP LANAC CANAL PLACE

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SecureValue Storage

egarotSeulaVeruceS@ moc.egarotseulaveruces.www 8677-434-033 ecalP lanaC | HO ,norkA | teertS niaM S 045 greaterakroncham ber.org 1 www.securevaluestorage.com @SecureValueStorage 330-434-7768 540 S Main Street | Akron, OH | Canal Place

CONTENTS Letter from the President & CEO The primary purpose of this guide is to introduce Greater Akron to you—to give you a glimpse into what makes life here special. But underneath all the information about entrepreneurs, excursions and entertainment is this message: We’re a place where you can make your mark. We’ll give you the perfect conditions to cultivate success and build a life—and do everything possible to support you in that effort.

The Midwest is on the rise. There’s talk of our cost of living (low) and our quality of life (high).

We are a community steeped in invention. We make things, and we are innovating to become a center of advanced materials manufacturing, next generation technology, and talent to respond to today’s opportunities. Here’s why: Living here makes sense. It will give you more of three precious assets: money, time and opportunities.

What you’d pay for a one-room apartment in Boston, San Francisco, or New York would be the mortgage on a great home here. Your commute time will be a fraction of what it would be in those large cities, giving you more time to pursue your outside passions.

Steve Millard

On the cover: Josy Jones and Floco Torres. See SMART MOVE on page 43. Photo by Bruce Ford.

Love

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Eat

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Toast

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Shop

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Play

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Compete 26 Cheer

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Breathe 30 Enjoy

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Create

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Focus

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Connect 54 Give

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Embrace 60 Published for the Greater Akron Chamber by Live Publishing Company Publisher: John Schambach Project Manager/Editorial Supervisor: Gail Kerzner Project Director: Jeff Ritter Senior Writer: Mary Ethridge Contributing Writer: Connie Swenson Art Direction & Designers: Ben Small, Frank Cucciarre Production Manager: Gail Smith Operations Manager: M. Melinda Myer Operations Assistant: Beth Koblitz Principal Photography: Bruce Ford, except where noted.

Learn

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Care

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Copyright ©2018 by Live Publishing Company.

All rights reserved. No part of this publication may be reproduced or transmitted by any form or means without written permission from Live Publishing Company.

Travel

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Greater Akron Chamber Senior Vice President: Rebecca Guzy Woodford Greater Akron Chamber Manager of Publications: Tammy Grimmett Greater Akron Chamber 1 Cascade Plaza, 17th Floor Akron, Ohio 44308-1192 phone: (330) 376-5550, fax: (330) 379-3164 greaterakronchamber.org

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While every effort has been made to ensure the accuracy of the information and listings contained herein, Live Publishing Company and the Greater Akron Chamber assume no liability for errors or omissions.

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Live

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W E L C O M E

THE NEW CENTER

Lake Erie 90 CLEVELAND

The NEW Center is a unique event venue where you can redefine the typical event experience. With a central Northeast Ohio

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location and unparalleled amenities, The NEW Center is the ideal 80 80

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YOUNGSTOWN

venue for any event, from expos and seminars to galas, weddings and retreats. The NEW Center has something for everyone!

The NEW Center features two ballrooms with a total capacity of 600.

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Our in-house Executive Chef, accommodating catering staff and event specialists will work with you to make you event unforgettable.

Conveniently located just off of I-76 at St. Rt. 44 in Rootstown, Ohio, The NEW Center is just a short drive from NORTH CANTON

Akron, North Canton, Kent, Youngstown, and several other Northeast Ohio cities. On the campus of The Northeast Ohio Medical University, The NEW Center is within a short drive of hundreds of hotel rooms. Shuttle service before and after your event can be arranged as well as ample complimentary parking for your guests.

Speak with Amanda Senn, Sales

4211 St. Rt. 44 | Rootstown, Ohio 44272 330.325.6173 | newcenterevents.com

Director, to create your next unique event experience. 330.325.6173 amanda@newcenterevents.com greaterakroncham ber.org 3

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EX P E R IE N C E G R EATER AK RO N

We have a funky little place here called Greater Akron.

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ur thing, our aesthetic is one-of-a-kind. It’s grit and daring. It’s LeBron James in the paint. Once, we were known as the tire capital of the world. We moved on from that about, say, 40 years ago. But rubber is still a part of our self-identity, along with sauerkraut balls and the Signal Tree. (More on those later.) We’ve kept the rolledsleeves work ethic and added serious egghead brilliance.

We’re Greater Akron, the 330—a unique confluence of geography, history, hard work and luck that inspires a passion in its people. Come meet us and read some of the reasons we love Greater Akron. Start here with LOVE, and find MORE LOVE throughout the publication. Look for the HEART.

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He’s Just a Kid from Akron.

LeBron stars off the court.

LeBron is our man. Yes, we love, love l-o-v-e him. Sadly, he’s left the Cleveland Cavaliers for the Los Angeles Lakers, but he’ll always be our hometown hero. Why? It’s not because LeBron brought an NBA championship here as part of his day job, although that was pretty great. What really rocks our world is what this man does off the court.

LeBron oversees his foundation dedicated to helping at-risk kids. The LeBron James Family Foundation’s I PROMISE Network has aided 1,200 needy students and counting from the Akron Public Schools (APS). It offers them mentorship, specialized programs and regular encouragement from the man himself. In July 2018, the first LeBron I PROMISE School, developed with experts from APS, welcomed third and fourth graders. By 2022, it will have students from first through eighth grades. The curriculum

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will be infused with STEM and hands-on, problem-based learning.

“Nothing is given. Everything is earned.” is one of our favorite LeBron sayings. So, it’ll be tough but inspirational, just like the man himself.

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We’re the hometown of yet another icon—the Goodyear blimp. Currently, the company has three high-tech, semirigid blimps (or dirigibles to be precise) in the air. We often see the beloved blimps (er, dirigibles) sailing the skies over Akron, headquarters of The Goodyear Tire & Rubber Company. And the Airdock, the black, hulking blimp assembly hangar on the outskirts of town, is a landmark.

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Norka Soda (or pop, as we say in Ohio) is a 1930s-era brand that’s recently been revived. Norka is, of course, Akron spelled backward. There are five flavors of retro deliciousness. Norka is sold locally at several retailers and carried in all Kroger stores across Ohio. You can also buy it online at the Norka eBay storefront.

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The 20-minute rule is awesome. Everything in Greater Akron is just about 20 minutes apart.

No fooling, and (usually) no traffic jams.

We Know Punk.

“There’s something special about this city that we call home. And we’re lucky. It doesn’t cost a lot of money to have a great experience.

Grab some friends and go to the Akron Art Museum, drop by the Zoo, go catch a Zips game. The list goes on.”

—LeBron, in one of his regular missives to his I PROMISE kids.

Greater Akron is a major site on the map of punk music. Devo of “Whip It” fame and The Pretenders’ Chrissie Hynde are probably the most well-known of the punk/new wave musicians to come out of 1970s Akron, but they are not alone. In a matter of a few years, major labels signed Akron’s Chi Pig, the Waitresses, Tin Huey, the Bizarros, the Rubber City Rebels and Rachel Sweet. Punkers hung out at the Crypt, the Bank and the Magic Bus in Akron and J.B.’s in Kent. London’s Stiff Records released an Akron compilation album. Clubs in London held “Akron nights.” CBGB in New York waived cover charges for people from Akron.

Robert Christgau of The Village Voice put it this way in 1978: “Something is obviously going on out there.” greaterakroncham ber.org

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Akron’s Dan Auerbach and Patrick Carney formed the blues-rock band The Black Keys, about 25 years after the punk wave. Their Grammy-winning, chart-topping, soul-scratching music has been featured in big budget movies and TV shows, including The OC and Sons of Anarchy. It can also be heard in dozens of commercials for such brands as Samsung, American Express and Victoria’s Secret.

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The oldest Krispy Kreme store in the nation is on South Maple Street in Akron.

COURTESY OF JIM CARNEY

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The 1950s-era neon sign in front says it all: “Hot Do-Nuts.”

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COURTESY OF SUMMIT COUNTY HISTORICAL SOCIETY

Everyone who’s cool, or wants to be, listens to 91.3 The Summit (WAPS-FM). The adult alternative album station, part of the Akron Public Schools, plays King Tuff, Johnny Cash and Jack Johnson. It has in-studio sessions with local rising stars and runs a Rock and Recovery show every late night for sober people. It also sponsors KidJam!, an online radio station for young listeners.

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Sand Run Parkway is a glorious, winding road through Sand Run Metro Park in Akron. The scenery is breathtaking, and the highlight is a ford.

Driving down Akron’s Cadillac Hill, also called Bates Street, is a rite of passage. The brick-lined roadway is a 28 percent grade; it’s so steep that you can’t see the bottom from the top.

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Perched at the summit of the Cadillac Hill neighborhood stands the gabled house where Thomas Edison married the comely Mina Miller in 1886.

were used to transport boats through the canal.

Parts of the original lock system are visible along the trail, and several have been repurposed.

The Mustill Store Museum on the city’s north side is a restored canal-era general store and family home on their original site at Lock 15. Lock 3 is A Canal Runs Through It. Akron, a rough-and-tumble town in the early downtown Akron’s Central Park. Lock 4 is home 19th century, was a vital stop along the Ohio & Erie to the Lock Bottom Blues & Jazz Club. A park at Lock 2 is bedecked with sculptures, benches, Canal. We’re still a canal town. The Ohio & Erie Canalway is a National Heritage Area. The 87-mile streamers and colored lights.

Garrettsville in Portage County is the Towpath Trail, which follows the original canal, birthplace of the poet Hart Crane (1899is a favorite hiking and biking spot that winds 1932). His father, Clarence, invented LifeSavers through downtown and the Cuyahoga Valley candy in 1912. Thanks to both of them.

National Park. Greater Akron has 19 locks, which

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We’re also the birthplace or hometown of many talented Americans, including:

Here are some of our favorite spots in the park:

❤ Steph Curry, LeBron James and Larry Nance, Jr., of the NBA

The Cuyahoga Valley Scenic Railroad runs between Akron and Independence to the north.

Download the railroad’s Train Tracker app for an audio tour of the park’s sites and history as you ride. Bring your bike, hop off and ride the trails.

❤ Rita Dove, writer and one-time poet laureate of the United States ❤ Judith Resnik (killed in the 1986 Challenger explosion) ❤ Tom Batiuk, creator of the Funky Winkerbean and Crankshaft comics

COURTESY OF JIM CARNEY

❤ Actress Melina Kanakaredes (CSI) ❤ Tony-winning costume designer Paul Tazewell (Hamilton) ❤ Rock star Chrissie Hynde (The Pretenders)

The Ledges at Virginia Kendall, an ancient geologic formation of primarily sandstone, is a dramatic and dog-friendly spot for hiking. Catch the sunset from the Overlook.

The Inn at Brandywine Falls, overlooking the 67foot Brandywine Waterfall, was built in 1848 and is on the National Register of Historic Places. It’s been renovated and restored. CNN listed it as one of its 10 favorite inns.

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❤ Musician and artist Mark Mothersbaugh (Devo)

❤ Indie Film Producer Jim Jarmusch (Stranger Than Paradise) ❤ Pat Carney and Dan Auerbach of The Black Keys

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Ohio & Erie Canal Towpath Trail, a restored section of the canal’s original towpath. Bike it, run it, walk it, but don’t skip it.

Our Backyard is a National Park.

The Cuyahoga Valley National Park is 33,000 acres of natural magic along the Cuyahoga River. (Kai-uh-HOAG-uh means

COURTESY OF CUYAHOGA VALLEY NATIONAL PARK

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crooked river.) The 20-minute rule applies here; you can leave wherever you are in Greater Akron and be in the park in 20 minutes or less.

This past spring, Rand McNally cited it as one of nine lesser-known national parks worth a special trip. All of the gorgeousness without the crowds.

A gigantic boring machine has been tunneling Akron’s new sewers. Her name is Rosie, and she arrived in 2017 to bore through about 5-1/2 feet of earth per hour. She completed the mission in August 2018.

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#BurnRubber Respecting our Roots

Rubber. It runs through our veins like sap; we ooze it. Some say we’re not baptized here so much as gum-dipped. Akron was once considered the capital of rubber because the major tire companies called it home.

Being a tire builder was tough work; stretching rubber over steel molds took muscle. The brawn left town decades ago, but the brains remain.

The one-time headquarters of the B.F. Goodrich Co. has been converted into Canal Place, home of Bounce Innovation Hub. Goodyear still anchors the east side in its new $160 million world headquarters.

Bridgestone Americas has a $100 million R&D center on the south side. In the past dozen years, several smaller players, including Hankook Tire America, have opened technical centers in the region.

The University of Akron is consistently named one of the top three polymer programs in the world. And there’s a t-shirt seen around town, with a simple message: “RESPECT RUBBER.” We still do. greaterakroncham ber.org

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We’ve mentioned Lifesavers, tires and AA, but check out these other things Greater Akron has given the world: ❤ Dum-Dums® (Akron Candy Company) ❤ The Cozy Coupe® (Little Tikes) ❤ Purell® hand sanitizer (GoJo) ❤ Twinkle Polish® (Malco) ❤ The Frog Sandbox® (Step2) ❤ DayGlo Paint® (RPM) ❤ Rust-Oleum® (RPM) ❤ Wound golf balls (B.F. Goodrich)

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The Akron RubberDucks is our AA affiliate of the Cleveland Indians. Canal Park in downtown Akron is the team’s home. Watching baseball’s rising stars on a warm summer night with a bellyful of burgers is a slice of heaven. Fireworks, special events and mascots all for $7 a ticket make it one of the best family bargains on the planet.

❤ P.F. Flyers (B.F. Goodrich) ❤ Liquid Crystal Displays for watches (KSU) ❤ Toy marbles (S.C. Dyke) ❤ First space suits for U.S. astronauts (B.F. Goodrich) ❤ Root Candles (A.I. Root) ❤ Blue Tip matches (Ohio Match)

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Other Greater Akron inventions include: Akron is the birthplace of Alcoholics Anonymous. It’s where founders Bill Wilson ❤ Grade levels in schools and Dr. Bob Smith first met in 1935 in the Gate ❤ Ready-to-eat breakfast cereal Lodge of Stan Hywet Hall & Gardens. Dr. Bob’s ❤ Police patrol wagons home is now a museum. The Gate Lodge is also open to the public.

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The Greater Akron soul has a totem of sorts in the Merriman Valley. It’s an ancient burr oak used by Native Americans as a guidepost when portaging between the Cuyahoga and Tuscarawas rivers. Today, we call it The Signal Tree. Catch the vibe at the Signal Tree Fest during the summer, billed as a celebration of what makes Greater Akron unique.

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COURTESY OF AKRON SUMMIT PUBLIC LIBRARY

PHOTO BY ROB VAUGHN

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An 8K and one-mile race are held in June, and a 10K and half marathon take place in August.

The blue line that marks the Marathon route has woven itself into Greater Akron culture and become synonymous with the Marathon itself.

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Each spring, thousands of people converge on Hinckley in Medina County to celebrate the return of the buzzards (turkey vultures) that roost in the township’s ledges. The event includes hikes, skits, contests, crafts and general hilarity.

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COURTESY OF AKRON ZOO

The Akron Marathon is an athletic extravaganza. It started out in 2003 as an Ohio-focused race with about 3,500 runners.

Since then, it has expanded to a three-race series over four months with numerous blue chip corporate sponsors. About 15,000 runners from around the world, along with 120,000 spectators, participate in the marquee marathon in September.

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The Gravity Grand Prix— This is Not Your Daddy’s Soap Box Derby.

The Akron Art Library lets you check out—as in borrow—artwork by local and international artists. As a partnership between the Akron Art Museum and the AkronSummit County Public Library, the art library engages the community with real art and artists.

The derby has been the subject of documentaries, feature films and even an episode of Bewitched (FYI: Season 3, episode 16). If all this brings to mind the Little Rascals puttering in orange crates, take another look. Today’s cars look like brightly colored bullet trains, and racers are practically supine in their cars. The first 53.75 feet of the track carry a 16 percent grade. (That’s plenty steep.)

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Most of the 51 nation calls the stretch of grass between sidewalk and street a tree lawn, but we call it a devil strip.

No one is sure of the origin of this dialectical quirk, but it inspired an eponymous and cheeky arts and culture publication in town.

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Akron Zoo is a lot like Greater Akron itself—big but not too big. It has 700 animals representing 90 species on 50 acres in west Akron. It’s expanded 200 percent in the last 15 years, but it remains comfortably navigated in a day.

COURTESY OF AKRON ART MUSEUM

The Nightlight Cinema in downtown Akron shows cult, indie and foreign films. This nonprofit promotes cinema and community.

Every summer for 81 years, hundreds of kids aged 8-17 have swarmed east Akron seeking the thrill of the hill. Derby Downs is the world headquarters of the FirstEnergy All-American Soap Box Derby and the site of the annual championship race and weeklong festivities.

The derby also offers a STEM-based curriculum for educators and puts on the Gravity Racing Challenge for STEM students across the country. The track is also used for community and corporate events. (See photo on page 4.)

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“Linda,” the eerie photo-realistic painting by Chuck Close isn’t 54 quite as recognized as the blimp, but she’s had a place of honor at the Akron Art Museum since the 1970s. The museum’s unwavering focus on contemporary art from 1850 onward has allowed it to develop one of the finest collections of its kind in the country. greaterakroncham ber.org

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The University of Akron’s mascot is a funny-looking kangaroo named Zippy. She’s a girl, one of only eight female mascots in the country.

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COURTESY OF TWINS DAYS FESTIVAL

The annual Twins Days Festival in Twinsburg is the largest gathering of twins (and other multiples) in the world. Twinsburg, in northern Summit County, was founded in 1819 by twins Moses and Aaron Wilcox.

Luigi’s, an Akron landmark since 1949, anchors the district.

The casual Italian restaurant has been joined by upscale bars and eateries.

Locals know to look up when visiting Akron Civic Theatre. Its ceiling is spangled with lighted stars and clouds that actually move across the sky.

The 5,000-seat theater on Main Street is a stellar example of the grand movie palaces of the 1920s. Designed

by John Eberson, it is one of only a handful of remaining atmospheric theaters. Eberson’s design replicates a Moorish castle and garden at night.

The Northside Marketplace pairs established retailers such as Rubber City Clothing Co. with startups in an incubator. Dirty River Bicycle Works and the Akron Bike Center help cyclists hop on the Towpath Trail, only 100 yards away.

A local nonprofit recently opened a year-round farmers’ market on the Northside’s lower level. Northside Lofts are elegant urban living. A green space, with a Zen-inspired mural and benches unites the district with downtown

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We’re home not only to great musicians but also the makers who make what music makers master:

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❤ Mollard Conducting Batons (Copley) ❤ EarthQuaker guitar pedals (Akron) ❤ Audio-Technica sound equipment (Stow)

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❤ Panyard steel drums (Akron)

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The University of Akron’s steel drum band was one of the first such university bands in the nation. Their latest CD, Hammer on Steel, is also the title of a documentary about the band.

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Northside is the New Side.

A century ago, Akron’s Northside District,

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cradled between downtown and the Towpath Trail, was the city’s speakeasy and red light district. Thankfully, the action there today is more family friendly. The area is now a hip residential, arts and entertainment district.

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The Balloon A-Fair has filled the September skies over Ravenna with colorful hot air balloons annually for 40 years. The festival celebrates one of the city’s first industries—toy balloons, which were manufactured by Oak Rubber Co.

The annual William Carlos Williams Poetry Competition at the Northeast Ohio Medical University (NEOMED) draws hundreds of entries each year from medical students/poets across the country. Williams (1883-1963), a great American poet and family physician, exemplified the symbiotic relationship that can be possible between science and art. The humanities were built into the curriculum at NEOMED from its founding in 1973.

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Each Christmas season, more than a hundred tubas, decorated with tinsel and lights, join to play holiday favorites. If you have a tuba—and can carry it—you’re welcome to join TubaChristmas. Tucker Jolly (yes, that’s his name) founded the event 39 years ago and later created TubaSummer.

The downtown Akron skyline includes oldfashioned grain silos. You could call them anachronistic or, ahem, anAkronistic. They were built in the 19th century by German immigrant Ferdinand Schumacher who had a crazy idea to market oats for breakfast.

(Yes, Quaker Oats.) Before old Ferdinand, oats were horse feed.

The silos and factory are now business offices and a University of Akron residence hall.

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Greater Akron lost one of its greatest residents in 2018 when Petie the Pony died after spending 20 years visiting kids at Akron Children’s Hospital. He was the first horse in the nation to visit hospitalized patients in their rooms. Happily, miniature pony Willie Nelson is now filling Petie’s horseshoes.

Willie Nelson’s home is Victory

Gallop, a Bath Township-based equine program for sick and challenged kids.

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Insider info: Stan Hywet Hall & Gardens in Akron is not named for the rubber tycoon who built it. Loosely translated from the Old English, Stan Hywet means “stone hewn.” That’s a reference to the quarries on which the 65-room mansion was built more than a century ago by a co-founder of Goodyear. Take a look. USA Today called it the best historic home tour in the nation.

COURTESY OF HYWET HALL & GARDENS

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For 25 years, the annual genre-bridging, raceuniting Gospel Meets Symphony (GMS) concert has ignited audiences and become a beloved Greater Akron tradition.

It brings together two different musical worlds—the Akron

Committed to your health and the community.

World class care, close to home.

akrongeneral.org

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COURTESY OF KENT STATE UNIVERSITY

Symphony Orchestra and gospel singers from predominantly black churches. It’s where the primarily black fans of gospel music and the mainly white patrons of classical concerts come together in a joyful celebration.

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Kent State University’s Fashion School is consistently rated one of the best in the nation. Its campus museum has more than 40,000 pieces of apparel dating from the 18th century to today.

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Don’t forget to look for

MORE LOVE throughout the publication.

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Listen to our balanced news and NPR programming as part of your morning routine.

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Kent State University, Kent State and KSU are registered trademarks and may not be used without permission. Kent State University is committed to attaining excellence through the recruitment and retention of a diverse student body and workforce .

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Plug in and discover the best of Greater Akron.  Hidden gems  Can’t-miss events  People and businesses making a difference

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Experience Greater Akron (EGA)’s social media component enhances the print and electronic magazines and engages target audiences all year.

Tap into thousands of EGA’s fans and followers throughout the year with EGA social media.  Drive immediate traffic  Promote timely events  Reach an even bigger audience To get involved, contact Gail Kerzner at Live Publishing Company (330) 882-8100 gkerzner@livepub.com

Building Communities Makes Business Sense Business and community—building programs at the Greater Akron Chamber brings more wealth and opportunity to everyone in the region.

Opportunity.

One more way the Chamber makes a difference.

Be a part of the

The Greater Akron Chamber’s website promotes the strengths of the region and is an important resource—a place that people come back to again and again for all the information they need about Greater Akron and the Chamber. It contains information about the Chamber, member resources, economic development, business advocacy, visiting and living and so much more. Check it out at greaterakronchamber.org. We hope you visit often.

Leading Businesses.

Leading Communities.TM Call (330) 376-5550 or log onto www.greaterakronchamber.org

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Beau’s on the River

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Blu Plate

COURTESY OF TESTA COMPANIES

COURTESY OF BLU PLATE

PHOTO BY JIM MCGUIRE

Dante Boccuzzi

Experience Greater Akron (EGA) and Katie Byard, food writer at the Akron Beacon Journal

PHOTO BY JIM CARNEY

EGA: How would you describe the Greater Akron food scene overall to a newcomer?

KB: Not snooty and always evolving for the better. There’s everything from high-end gourmet to amazing, cheap eats. There’s everything from Nepali Kitchen—a hole-in-thewall gem founded by refugees in Akron’s North Hill—to iconic, old-line steak places such as the Diamond Grille, which was founded in 1941 and is a favorite of pro golfers. The Blue Door Bakery & Cafe in Cuyahoga Falls has croissants luscious enough to rival those in Paris; Bob’s Hamburg has been selling delicious burgers since 1931.

Then, there are the fine dining places such as Ken Stewart’s Grille in West Akron and . . . well . . . I could go on and on.

EGA: What are some of the most exciting developments you’ve seen?

KB: There have been a few.

First, there’s been a growing indie scene where chefs and chef-owners prepare fresh, inventive food. It includes early entrants such as Moe’s, the Blue Door, Chowder House and Russo’s in Cuyahoga Falls; Bricco, DBA and Crave in downtown Akron; and the Bistro of Green, along with places such as Blue Canyon Kitchen & Tavern in Twinsburg.

Newer indie spots worth trying include The Merchant Tavern in Akron’s Merriman Valley, Arnie’s Public House in Akron’s Wallhaven neighborhood, Nuevo Modern Mexican & Tequila Bar in downtown Akron and 35° Brix and Twisted Olive in Green.

Also, try Bistro 111 in Montville Township and Trano and Bricco in Kent. Indie joints that opened in 2018 include Sérénité Restaurant & Culinary Institute in Medina and Chop & Swizzle in Green.

EGA: Are there more?

Katie Byard

KB: A second exciting development involves our Southeast Asian refugee community whose members have opened their own restaurants such as the Nepali Kitchen, Everest Nepali and Indian Restaurant in Cuyahoga Falls and the Global Kitchen on the Tallmadge Circle. We have a rich ethnic food scene here, and these Southeast Asian refugees have deepened it.

There’s wonderful food at Canal Park. The new Akron RubberDucks Executive Chef James Phillips, continuing a

tradition at the minor league ballpark, prepares appealing extreme foods and regular menu items. New this year on the extreme foods menu is the La Montagna (Italian for “the mountain”) double decker sandwich. New on the regular menu at the ballpark’s Game Grill + Bar are such yummies as Pierogies & Pot Roast and Buffalo Cheddar Cauliflower.

In summer, Food Truck Wednesdays in the parking lot of the Akron Child Guidance Center and Friday’s Cascade Cucina on the Cascade Plaza in downtown Akron are two great ways to dip into the growing food truck scene.

EGA: What are some “musts” for newcomers to the area?

KB: Luigi’s is an iconic, familyfriendly Italian spot dating back to 1949. A social media frenzy was created last year when a place in Scotland with the same name closed, and fans of Akron’s Luigi’s panicked that our landmark was closing.

Flury’s Cafe is one of my favorite places for breakfast.

This homey Cuyahoga Falls spot is on the part of Front Street that recently reopened to vehicles after 40 years. Get one of the daily pancake specials.

EGA: What places define the area?

KB: Swensons is a must. The famed journalist R.W. Apple wrote in Forbes that Swensons was “America’s best burger,” which brought the place national recognition. But some people passionately prefer Skyway’s burgers and fare.

At Strickland’s Frozen Custard on Triplett Boulevard, you can eat your treat while taking in a view of a hulking blimp hangar.

Where else but Akron?

If you’re a fried chicken fan, check out one or more of the greaterakroncham ber.org

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EAT four Barberton chicken houses: Village Inn Kitchen, formerly known as Milich’s and actually in Norton, Belgrade Gardens, Hopocan Gardens and White House Chicken. All serve chicken fried in lard, a tomato and rice concoction called hot sauce and vinegar-based coleslaw. Serbian immigrants brought the method of frying in lard to the area.

EGA: What’s a great place for a special meal such as an anniversary or graduation?

KB: I like Beau’s on the River inside the Sheraton Suites in the (Cuyahoga) Falls. It has gorgeous views of the Cuyahoga River. Or Beau’s Grille in Fairlawn (inside the Hilton) and Papa Joe’s in Akron’s Merriman Valley—consistently good American and Italian eats at a range of price points. You can eat fairly cheap or go high.

Wolf Creek Tavern is housed in an 1840s-era building. Its bar was a speakeasy during Prohibition and takes its cue from that history. The Rosewood Grill in Hudson is a nice atmosphere with good food in a former grain mill. Trano in Kent is a newly opened Italian restaurant (the old Pufferbelly) in a converted train station.

Vaccaro’s Trattoria in Bath Township has some of the best Italian fare around. Get the homemade pasta. Russo’s has Italian and Creole feasts.

The Diamond Grille can get pricey, but you can pay about the same as chain steakhouses and get a much higher quality.

Or you could try the Circle L Steakhouse at the Galaxy in Wadsworth. Kingfish in Copley Township is a fine seafood place.

One of my favorites is Giuseppe’s Italian Ristorante in Northfield. The location is a blah strip plaza, but the quality of the food is excellent.

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Baxter’s Bar

EGA: What’s a great place for a casual bite with kids in tow?

KB: Right away I think of Trecaso’s Mary Coyle, an Akron institution with ice cream, pizza and more in Akron’s Highland Square and Dontino’s La Vita Gardens (try the homemade pasta) in Akron’s North Hill neighborhood. Ray’s Place in Kent has a kid-friendly,

two-story bar with a loooong menu. Gasoline Alley in Bath Township is popular but small, so be prepared for crowds on weekends. Panini’s Bar & Grill in Stow and Twinsburg, Winking Lizard Tavern in Copley and Peninsula are delightful. Mike’s Place in Kent (also with a huge menu) has a fun decor. Look for the full-size Star Wars X-Wing fighter outside.

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Sauerkraut balls are to Greater Akron what wings are to Buffalo or cheese steaks to Philly. No holiday party is complete without the tart-but-savory treat of deep fried meat and sauerkraut.

Other Greater Akron treats include:

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Strickland’s frozen custard

Barberton chicken (juicy, greasy, with piles of fries and “hot” rice) Luigi’s cheesesmothered salad Skyway’s SkyHi burger

Swensons’ Galley Boy

Swenson’s Galley Boy

EXPERIENCE BLU WHERE SOPHISTICATION MEETS CULTURE DOWNTOWN AKRON 1 S. Main St. Akron, Ohio 330-983-4905 @blutiquehotelakron www.blu-tique.com

Enliven your experience.

Come for the food, stay for the music, and stay for the night.

72-room Boutique Hotel with Upscale Style, Elegance, & Exceptional Guest Service Southern Comfort Culinary Delights Blu-­‐Tique Hotel

occupy the historic Uain nited 1 Biuilding at ST. his Main Street Akron, OH. This circa 1924 building Blu-­‐Tique Hotel will occupy the historic wUill nited 1 Building at 1 S. M Street n Akron, O1 H. circa 1924 bin uilding once Chigar ome to the UAnited Cigar Company.

An 8-­‐tsransformed tory structure, ill century be transformed into a mid-­‐century modern jazz was once home to twas he United Company. n 8-­‐story structure, it will be into ai t mw id-­‐ modern jazz themed boutique hotel with 7b1 guest rooms, n ith on-­‐7 site estaurant, a jazz trailblazing musicians themed outique hotel aw 1 gruest rooms, an loounge n-­‐site wrhere estaurant, a jazz lounge cwan here trailblazing musicians can showcase their talent, and a collection of intimate spaces.

As part om f teeting he preservation building, movement for this building, showcase their talent, and am ceeting ollection of intimate spaces. m As ovement part of ftor he this preservation many of its architectural elements will be left intact to honor its significance. many of its architectural elements will bhe istorical left intact to honor its historical significance.

Live Jazz, Fine Food, and Great Atmosphere

Blu Plate, located across the street from the hotel, is a southern comfort food restaurant that is making quite a Blujust Plate, located just across the street from the hotel, is a southern comfort food restaurant that is making quite a name for itself. Indulge in a delicious meal paired with a finely crafted cocktail before heading out to enjoy a night on the name for itself. Indulge in a delicious meal paired with a finely crafted cocktail before heading out to enjoy a night on the town.

town.

greaterakroncham ber.org

Blu Jazz is a stunning live music venue where smooth jazz, romantic lighting, and intimate spaces fuse together to

Blu Jazz

create a healing vibe; providing an is ea xceptional wvhere you not only hear tjhe music, you feel it. Located stunning experience live music enue where smooth azz, romantic lighting, and aicross ntimate spaces fuse together to the street from the create hotel on lower vlibe; evel p of roviding Blu Plate.an exceptional experience where you not only hear the music, you feel it. Located across a thhe ealing

the street from the hotel on the lower level of Blu Plate.

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EAT

Veggies Are on the Menu

We love our Farmer’s Markets. Here are some of the larger ones. Discover others in your community.

Medina Farmers Market 2 Public Square, Saturday mornings, May-Oct. Root Candles, 623 W. Liberty St., Medina, Wednesday evenings, June-Oct. Hudson Farmers Market 103 N. Main St., Saturday mornings, June-Oct. Countryside Farmers’ Market at Howe Meadow 4040 Riverview Rd., Peninsula, Saturday mornings, April-Oct. Countryside Winter Farmers’ Market at Old Trail School 2315 Ira Rd., Bath, most Saturday mornings, Nov.-March.

Countryside Farmers’ Market at Highland Square 1175 W. Market St. (Will Christy Park), Akron, Thursday evenings, May-Sept.

Countryside Farmers’ Market at Northside Marketplace 21 Furnace St., Akron, Saturdays and Sundays, all year.

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Haymaker Outdoor Farmers’ Market Under Haymaker overpass, Kent, Saturday mornings, May-Oct. Haymarket Indoor Farmers’ Market 1435 E. Main St., Kent, Saturday mornings, Nov.-April.

Tallmadge Farmers Market 46 N. Munroe Rd., Thursday evenings, June-Oct. Cuyahoga Falls Farmers Market 1817 Front St., Friday evenings, June-Sept.

Downtown Barberton Farmers Market 3rd St. NW, Wednesday afternoons, June-Oct. Copley Creekside Farmers Market 1245 S. Cleveland-Massillon Rd., Thursday afternoons, May-Oct.

GREAT GROCERS ABOUND

Buehler’s, buehlers.com— multiple locations, employee owned, full service

365 Whole Foods, 365bywholefoods.com— natural and organic foods

Acme Fresh Market, acmestores.com—multiple locations, locally owned, full service

ALDI, aldi.us—multiple locations, no-frills shopping

Earth Fare, earthfare.com— natural and organic foods

Giant Eagle Market District, gianteagle.com—multiple locations, full service

Heinen’s, Heinens.com— family owned, full service

Mustard Seed Market & Café, mustardseedmarket. com—natural and organic foods, locally owned

Save-A-Lot, save-a-lot.com —multiple locations, full service

Wal-Mart Supercenters, walmart.com—multiple locations, full service

3232 Copley Rd., second Sunday of every month, June-Sept.

More Restaurants, Wineries and Breweries

MEDINA COUNTY

SUMMIT COUNTY

A Cupcake a Day 115 W. Liberty St., Medina (330) 389-1247

*

Akron Coffee Roasters 30 N. High St., Akron (330) 318-8018

Fireside Restaurant at Rustic Hills 5399 River Styx Rd., Medina (330) 725-4281

Akron Family Restaurant 250 W. Market St., Akron (330) 376-0600

Jilbert Winery 1496 Columbia Rd., Valley City (216) 781-4120 Miss Molly’s Tea Room *& Gift Shop 140 W. Washington St. #6, Medina (330) 725-6830

PORTAGE COUNTY Arnie’s Westbranch Steakhouse 5343 State Route 14, Ravenna (330) 297-1717 Black Iron Grille *7291 State Route 43, Kent

*

The Barley House 222 S. Main St., Akron (330) 374-0925

*

The Basement 255 E. Waterloo Rd., Akron (330) 724-0477 Beau’s Grill *3180 W. Market St., Akron

*

Kent Cheesemonger 155. E. Erie St., Kent (330) 593-5619 Mazzulo’s Market 302 Aurora Commons Cir., Aurora (330) 562-3200 Ray’s Place 135 Franklin Ave., Kent (330) 673-2233

STARK COUNTY Driftwood Restaurant at Embassy Suites by Hilton Akron-Canton Airport 7883 Freedom Ave., NW, North Canton (330) 305-0500 Gervasi Vineyard and *Italian Bistro

Bricco *1841PubMerriman Rd., Akron

(330) 683-6010

(330) 869-0053

*105Luigi’s N. Main St., Akron

R. Shea Brewery *1662 Merriman Rd., Akron

(330) 253-2999

(330) 794-5654

Market Street Grill & Pub *1677 E. Market St., Akron

The Rail 3265. W. Market St., Fairlawn/Montrose (330) 864-7245

*

Ohio Brewing Company 804 W. Market St., Akron (234) 208-6797

(330) 644-2230 Cappabianca’s Natural *Food Market 4946 Darrow Rd., Stow (330) 650-1588

Stricklands Frozen Custard Inc. 419 Heathrow Dr., Cuyahoga Falls (330) 620-4400 Swensons Drive In *Restaurants 680 E. Cuyahoga Falls Ave., Akron (330) 928-3797

*532TheW.Tangier Market St., Akron (330) 376-7171 Thirsty Dog Brewing *Company

Old Carolina Barbecue & *Catering Co.

529 Grant St., Akron (330) 252-2739

620 Ridgewood Crossings Dr., Akron (330) 665-4222

West Side Bakery—Akron 2303 W. Market St., Akron (330) 836-4101

Pad Thai 12 E. Exchange St., Akron (330) 434-1888

D’Angelo Restaurant *893Casa E. Aurora Rd., Macedonia

Panera Bread/Medina Road *3895A Medina Rd., Akron

(330) 467-9699 Corner Cup Coffeehouse 3019 Graham Rd., Stow (330) 608-2462

(330) 670-9347

Deli *378Diamond S. Main St., Akron (330) 762-5877 El Gato Taqueria 209 Main St., Akron (330) 253-4323 Place on Market *549Frank’s W. Market St., Akron (330) 376-8307 and Granary *915Grape Home Ave., Akron

Twisted Olive *5430 Massillion Rd.,

(330) 633-7223 Hyde Park Prime Steak House *4073 Medina Rd., Akron (330) 670-6303 Music Room *111Jilly’s N. Main St., Akron (330) 576-5960

* Greater Akron Chamber member

15 Brewing Company *21 Lock North St., Akron

Nuevo Modern Mexican & Tequila Bar 54 E. Mill St., Akron (330) 762-8000

Bricco Prime *4315 Manchester Rd., Akron

1700 55th St., NE, Canton (330) 497-1000

North Canton (330) 899-0550

(330) 777-2005

Pizza Fire 22 E. Exchange St., Akron (330) 535-4545

(330) 434-7333 3885 W. Market St., Akron (330) 666-7333

Bomba Tacos and Rum 3900 Medina Rd., Akron (234) 466-7180

*

*115Kingfish Montrose West Ave., Copley

Seed Market & Café *867Mustard W. Market St., Akron

*

Akron (330) 475-1600

Bricco—Kent 210 S. Depeyster St., Ste. 100, Kent (330) 677-1335

(330) 376-7020

(330) 666-4131

BLU Plate - Blu+Jazz 45 E. Market St., Akron (330) 252-1190

(330) 552-3126

(330) 867-2555

Montrose Bar and Grill *4073 Medina Rd., Akron

Beau’s on the River 1989 Front St., Cuyahoga Falls (330) 920-7550

*1 W.Bricco—Akron Exchange St., Ste. 100,

Shoppe of Akron *203TheS. Peanut Main St., Akron

(330) 733-6279

(330) 867-5218

COURTESY OF AKRON/SUMMIT CONVENTION & VISITORS BUREAU

High & Low Winery 588 Medina Rd., Medina (844) 466-4456

*

Ken Stewart’s Grille *1970 W. Market St., Akron

Summit Brew Path Opening greaterakroncham ber.org

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HiHo2

E X P E R IE N C E G R EATE R AK RO N

COURTESY OF MAIN STREET KENT

COURTESY OF CRAFTED COCKTAIL CO.

COURTESY OF AKRON/SUMMIT CONVENTION & VISITORS BUREAU

TOAST

G

reater Akron has many places to pick up an extraordinary bottle of wine or just sip a glass.

There’s Mustard Seed Market (natural and organic from around the globe) and Papa Joe’s (hit the side entrance), among many others. And The Grape & Granary has everything the home vintner needs. But if you’re all about sourcing your purchased vintages, Greater Akron has vineyards perfectly ripe for experiences.

The Winery at Wolf Creek 2637 S. Cleveland-Massillon Rd., Barberton: Hillside vineyards planted mainly with European grape varieties.

Picnics welcomed. Games provided.

Sarah’s Vineyard Winery 1204 W. Steels Corner Rd., Cuyahoga Falls: Sustainable farming within the Cuyahoga Valley National Park. Art gallery, full menu.

Filia Cellars 3059 Greenwich Rd., Wadsworth: Dry red from another family vineyard in California; whites are made in Ohio.

Yoga, painting classes, live music.

Red Horse Winery 5326 Fairland Rd., Barberton: Secondhighest point in Summit County; 100 percent fruit wines (not blended with grapes) plus more traditional varieties.

Barrel Run Crossing 3272 Industry Rd., Rootstown: Fourthgeneration family farm-turnedvineyard, orchard. Casual menu, live music on weekends.

Nauti Vine Winery 3950 S. Main St., Akron: also home to the Mucky Duck Brewery. Views of the Portage Lakes, painting parties, special events.

ThornCreek Winery 155 Treat Rd., Aurora: Food and wine on seven acres of heaven.

High & Low Winery 588 Medina Rd., Medina: Its motto?

“It’s about sass, not class.” Full menu and vineyard seating.

Cocktails: It’s 5 O’clock Right Here

S

tir (or shake) up some excitement with these area pecialties.

Spanish Old-Fashioned Bourbon, Pedro Ximinez Sherry, Angostura bitters, Aztec bitters Crafted Cocktail Co., 991 High St., Wadsworth Northside Speakeasy Morning Glory Fizz Glenlivet single malt scotch, absinthe, fresh lemon juice, simple syrup, egg whites, seltzer water Northside Speakeasy, 31 Furnace St., Akron The Black Squirrel Blackberries, vodka, fresh lemon juice and mint Nineteen10 Restaurant & Lounge, 215 S. Depeyster St., Kent Diplomatico Manhattan Diplomatico Mantuano rum, vermouth, black walnut bitters, cherries Bomba Tacos & Rum 3900 Medina Rd., Akron

COURTESY OF TESTA COMPANIES

Wine? Fine!

Summer Shrub Gin, macerated grapefruit, champagne vinegar, soda Old 97, 1503 Kenmore Blvd., Akron

Cheers for Beer

likely the most enjoyable contest you’ll ever enter. The I18t’sSummit Brew Path is back for its second year, highlighting craft breweries in Summit, Portage, Medina and Stark counties.

The Brew Path, a passport-style trail, was a rousing success in its first year, says Gregg Mervis, director of the Akron/Summit Convention & Visitors Bureau. The bureau expected about 500 people to complete the trail by the December deadline but ended up with 2,500 finishers.

The reason for the event’s success is simple.

“There are people in Summit County and surrounding counties making really, really good beer,” Mervis said.

Some local favorites include Hoppin’ Frog Brewery’s B.O.R.IS., The Crusher Oatmeal-Imperial Stout and Thirsty Dog Brewing Co.’s Blood Hound Orange IPA. Those who get their passport stamped at all 18 stops are entered into a Greater Akron Getaway drawing and receive a 32-ounce glass growler for their travels.

A

6

-PACK OF BEER FACTS

1 Thirsty Dog Brewing Co. got its name from the owner’s Labrador retriever, who galumphed into an early brainstorming session only to lap up a big bowl of water.

Light bulb!

2 Last year, Summit Brew Path’s prize was a dull, brown t-shirt, which recipients made good fun of; thus, this year’s upgrade to a drawing entry and growler.

3 MADCAP Brew Co. in Kent is known for its punkish aesthetic and its beer. Its slogan is “No Masters. No Snobs.”

4 One of Wadsworth Brewing Company’s most popular beers is River

Styx Monster, which sounds like it’ll drag you to Hades. But River Styx is just a road in Medina County that should only be driven by stone-cold sober people.

5 R. Shea Brewing’s Tire Swing Trouble Brown Ale was named after an employee that had an accident on, uh, a tire swing.

6 Lock 15 Brewing Company has named many of their beers after famous Akron landmarks to pay homage to their location along the the historic Ohio & Erie Canal and Cascade Locks Park. Try Mustill Mild, Cascade Locks Pale Ale, Towpath Porter and Mutton Hill Hefe, to name a few. greaterakroncham ber.o rg

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COURTESY OF CITY OF MEDINA

COURTESY OF RUBBER CITY CLOTHING

SHOP

Medina Square

Rubber City Clothing

Don Drumm

Ready to splash some cash? We’ve got you covered.

At 83, Artist Don Drumm Marches On If there were a patron saint of Greater Akron art, it would be Don Drumm. The octogenarian’s whimsical works are installed all over the world, but no place more than Greater Akron. Curvilinear, flowing and enchanting, his art is unmistakable. It can be seen along freeways, on fences, inside hospitals and in fountains.

But Drumm’s art is not limited to big, public installations; he makes candlesticks and clocks, cookware and coasters.

In the 1950s, Drumm pioneered the use of cast aluminum and still counts it among his media today. In 1960, Drumm opened his studio in a home near The 22

E X P E R IE N C E G R EATE R AK RO N

University of Akron to begin life as a full-time artist and teacher.

In 1971, he and his wife Lisa, also an artist, expanded the studio to incorporate a one-room gallery.

Today, his studio and gallery are housed in eight buildings.

They provide gallery facilities for more than 500 artists, studio space for three resident artists and plenty of delights for shoppers.

A visit to Don Drumm Studios & Gallery isn’t an in-and-out enterprise. Plan to spend some time and prepare to be enchanted.

Medina Means Antiquing Many visitors are drawn to Medina simply because the town square—with its gazebo, green

space and historic buildings— is exquisitely charming. It’s a no-chain zone with dozens of intriguing mom-and-pop shops and restaurants in the square’s environs.

Medina is a paradise for antiques shoppers.

Medina Antique Mall, 2797 Medina Rd.: 52,000 square feet with more than 500 dealers.

Brothers Antique Mall, 6132 Wooster Pike Rd.: uncluttered with homey display rooms; more than 100 dealers.

Medina Depot Antiques, 602 W. Liberty St.: housed in the historic 1894 train depot; 100-plus dealers.

This-n-That Antiques, 234 N. Broadway St.: about 40 sellers one block north of the town square.

COURTESY OF SUMMIT MALL

■T he Village of Peninsula: luscious art galleries and gift shops. You can take the Cuyahoga Valley Scenic Railroad into the village, shop, eat and take the train home. Or ride your bike to and fro on the Towpath Trail.

■O hio Station Outlets, Burbank: a train-themed outlet mall with retailers such as American Eagle and Under Armour. Train rides are $4 a person.

■A urora Farms Premium Outlet, Aurora: outlet stores of national retailers, including Adidas and Coach.

Stroll Our Malls Summit Mall in Fairlawn is anchored by Macy’s and Dillard’s. It has the only Apple store between Cleveland and Columbus. Check out Ann Taylor and Banana Republic.

10 Tempting Shopping Spots ■ First and Main Hudson: an outdoor shopping center with a mix of national and local retailers. Check out Gracylane for gifts and Scout & Molly’s for women’s clothing.

■T he Learned Owl, Hudson: an old-fashioned, independent bookstore on two levels. It’s for bibliophiles of all ages.

■T he Fashion School Store, Kent: one-of-a-kind designs created by students at Kent State University’s top-ranked fashion school.

■W oodsy’s, Kent: Northeast Ohio’s largest independent music store. Guitars, keyboards, gear and school band rentals.

■T he Peanut Shoppe, Akron: an area institution for 85 years. Time stands still there, and the smell of roasting nuts is swoon-worthy.

■R ubber City Clothing, Akron: a custom apparel manufacturer and retailer. It makes and sells cheeky and charming t-shirts that show Greater Akron some love.

■C entury Cycles in Peninsula and Medina will get you off and pedaling on the Towpath Trail or the city streets. Named one of America’s Best Bike Shops since 1999.

PHOTO BY VINCE NICKLIN

Each holiday season, Akron’s Chapel Hill Mall is home to a giant snowman named Archie who made his first holiday appearance in 1968. He’s an Akron thing. Make sure to visit J.C. Penney and Journeys.

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Crafty Mart is, yes, a craft fair.

But wait! Hold on. The mart is a no-toaster-cozy zone. The group hosts a bi-annual, multi-venue craft festival that showcases more than 70 of the best handcrafters around.

We’re a site to see!

Come visit our

two buildings & garden courtyards

filled with works by

500+ artists

Don Drumm studios & gallery 437 CROUSE ST. AKRON 330.253.6268

DONDRUMMSTUDIOS.COM

greaterakroncham ber.org

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PLAY

PHOTO BY SHANE WYNN

PorchRokr

Magical Theatre Company

Bring the Kids

G

rab those backpacks and juice boxes, and get to work . . . er . . . play.

Akron Children’s Museum allows kids to climb, jump, scoop, splash and build. And that’s just for starters. There’s a quake table, a wind tunnel and an excavation station. It gives a nod to Greater Akron’s history with its giant marble runs, Derby Town racetrack and Canal Corner water table.

Magical Theatre Company, Barberton, is a professional resident and touring company 24

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just for kids. These folks know how to make kids giggle uncontrollably and gasp in surprise. It’s home is a gem of a restored 1919 theater on Barberton’s main drag.

PHOTO BOSTON MILLS BRANDYWINE TUBING

PHOTO BY CHRIS RUTAN

Akron Children’s Museum

Polar Blast Tubing

with critters. A 10,000-squarefoot center with exhibits and live animals allows visitors to touch, smell, listen and learn.

Akron Zoo had record attendance in 2017, and a quick read of its F.A. Seiberling Nature Realm, rave reviews online will tell you Akron, is 104 acres of heaven. why. It sits on 77 acres, 35 of Part of the Summit Metro Parks which have been developed system, the Nature Realm has into spectacular exhibits and three hiking trails, several gardens, gardens designed to bring visitors a suspension bridge, a tall grass up close to its more than 700 prairie and two ponds stocked animals.

THRILLS & CHILLS THRILLS

COURTESY OF AKRON ZOO

¢ The clear tube slide through the river otter pool at the Grizzly Ridge exhibit at Akron Zoo. The otters love to zip around the slide as you pass through.

From Siberian musk deer and snow leopards to river otters and Komodo dragons, the zoo’s animals are cared for according to the highest standards of the American Zoological Association. (The zoo has been a member uninterrupted since 1989.)

¢ The whopping 151-foot tube slide at Water Works Park in Cuyahoga Falls. ¢ Alien Vacation Mini Golf in 3-D & Science Fiction Movie Museum in Medina. Mini-golf meets the men in black—in the dark. ¢ Polar Blast Snow Tubes at Boston Mills/Brandywine Ski Resort in Peninsula.

CHILLS ¢ A Star Wars movie at the Blue Sky Drive-In Theater in Wadsworth. ¢ Family Adventures Tours at Akron Art Museum or its Stroller Tours designed for baby and parent. ¢ Free concerts in area parks all summer long. (Family-friendly bands and people happy just to be out of the office.) ¢ A ride on the Portage Princess pontoon boat at the Portage Lakes.

(Say that three times fast.) ¢ A free family movie at the Akron-Summit County Public Library.

All year at main and various branches.

COURTESY OF AKRON ART MUSEUM

This zoo can be easily navigated in 3 to 4 hours and is handicapped accessible. For those with sensory processing needs such as autism, it offers special tools and services that were designed with the guidance of nonprofit advocates at KultureCity. Check out the many unique events offered throughout the year like Boo at the Zoo and Wild Lights.

¢ Go-kart racing and bumper boating at Rinky Dink Family Fun Center in Medina.

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Do you want to have Thanksgiving dinner with Abraham Lincoln? Hale Farm & Village Township is your place. It’s the original homestead of Jonathan Hale, a Connecticut native who migrated to the Western Reserve in 1810. The open-air interpretive museum has historic structures, farm animals and early American craft and trade demonstrations.

Explore the Akron Zoo and experience a wild time!

Encounter our 700+ animals and come nose-to-nose with hundreds of animals from around the world.

YOU’VE NEVER BEEN THIS CLOSE! akronzoo.org

Remember to check out our newest Curious Creatures!

greaterakroncham ber.o rg

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COURTESY OF CANALWAY PARTNERS

COMPETE

Towpath Trilogy

Welcome to the 3-3-GO.

Y

ou’re an office ninja, a life warrior, someone who times their errands just for fun. Celebrate your competitive spirit in Greater Akron.

Akron Children’s Hospital Akron Marathon Race Series You may have seen a blue line painted along Greater Akron streets and wondered what kind of weird traffic law gave rise to it. But, no worries. The blue line marks the route of the FirstEnergy Akron Marathon, Half Marathon & Team Relay, the marquee event of the Akron Children’s Hospital Akron Marathon Race Series. And the 26

E X P E R IE N C E G R E ATE R AK RO N

blue line has woven itself into the cultural fabric of Greater Akron. There are Blue Line lunch specials, Blue Line t-shirts and even Blue Line donuts.

The race is also a prime fundraiser for Children’s through sponsorship of Hero Zones, which feature young patient superheroes who have overcome severe illnesses. The zones are placed on specific markers along the series’ routes.

Heads up for enthusiastic cheering.

The marathon began in 2003 as a simple event with fewer than 4,000 runners. But over the past 15 years, it has grown into a multi-race series that spans four months and attracts nearly 15,000 participants from across the country and the globe.

The fun begins in June with the National Interstate 8K &

1-Mile race and continues in August with the Goodyear Half Marathon and 10K. The capstone race takes place on the last Saturday in September and has become a sort of community send-off party for summer.

About 120,000 volunteers help the event go off smoothly, giving the race its wellorganized reputation.

The Towpath Trilogy To conquer The Towpath Trilogy, begin with a half marathon in April, tackle a 10-mile and 10K run in June and end with a marathon along the historic Towpath Trail at the height of leaf season in October. Whether you walk or run, it’s important to absorb the surrounding beauty of this National Heritage Area.

Matchstick Challenge Run a 5K, 10K or half marathon as part of the five-day Wadsworth Blue Tip Festival each June. The festival starts with a parade and the lighting of a 20-foot-high matchstick.

Wadsworth was once home to the Ohio Match Co., which made the famous Blue Tip matches.

Huntington Towpath Century Ride Take a 101-mile bike ride on the Ohio & Erie Canal Towpath Trail while raising money to

Check out these favorite trail stops of Dan Rice, president and CEO of the Ohio & Erie Canalway Coalition: ¢ Settler’s Landing/Canal Basin Park area in the Cleveland Flats ¢ Beaver Marsh in the Cuyahoga Valley National Park ¢ Richard Howe House in downtown Akron ¢ St. Helena III canal boat in Canal Fulton

PHOTO BY KATELYN FREIL

¢ Fort Laurens in Bolivar

help develop connector trails.

Ride through the heart of the Ohio & Erie Canalway, which Congress has designated as a National Heritage Area. Begin in Cleveland on the banks of the Cuyahoga River; travel south through downtown Akron and wind up in New Philadelphia.

Riders can choose to complete it in one or two days.

Summit Metro Parks Fall Hiking Spree Hike eight or more of 15 designated trails during the three-month spree to earn a hiking staff and completion shields. At 55 years old, ours is the longest-running event of its kind in the country. Get fit, get an eyeful of beauty and get rewarded.

Whoa. Life is full and rich.

Protection for the most important things in your life.

Call 11--877 724--8069 for a free quote, 877--724 or visit us at 100 Rosa Parks Drive in Downtown Akron. greaterakroncham ber.org

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PHOTO BY DAVID MONSEUR

PHOTO BY DAVID MONSEUR

CHEER

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athletes, it draws some of the hottest acts around such as Justin Timberlake and the Eagles.

High Hopes at FirstEnergy Stadium OK, it’s been an absolutely excruciating few years for the Cleveland Browns, but—hey— FirstEnergy Stadium on the shores of Lake Erie is really nice.

And Cleveland fans never, ever give up hope. This is the year.

The University of Akron ¢ InfoCision Stadium—Summa Field. Home to Zips football and other UA teams.

COURTESY OF KENT STATE UNIVERSITY

The RubberDucks and Canal Park: What’s Not to Like?

Silly mascots, far-out food, snazzy fireworks and whizbang baseball at a bargain price—that’s the Canal Park experience. For a get-together with office pals, a date night or a family outing, Canal Park in downtown Akron has a fullservice restaurant, luxury suites and picnic areas. Meet up-andcoming players on the brink of their major league break. This is one of the best deals in town— heck, in life.

converge at Derby Downs for fellowship and fun. But the real goal of the gathering of tweens is a race-off for the title Gravity Grand Prix Champion.

The racers reach speeds in excess of 30 mph, which may FirstEnergy Stadium. Home to the UA men’s and women’s not sound that fast until you’re sitting in one of those cars, soccer teams. The men’s soccer team is a national title dropping down a 16 percent grade. contender.

COURTESY OF KATIE ORRENDORF

¢ Cub Cadet Field at

All In at Progressive Field The hot, hot, hot Cleveland Indians team plays at Progressive Field, just a 35-minute drive from downtown Akron. The field is one of the most fan-friendly ballparks in major league baseball. From the raised bullpens that provide a clear view of warmups to the interactive Kids Clubhouse, Progressive Field provides far more than a ballgame.

Whatever It Takes at the Q Quicken Loans Arena is home to the AHL Monsters, the AFL Gladiators and, of course, the NBA’s Cleveland Cavaliers. The 23-year-old Q is undergoing a $140 million renovation that will improve its integration into the city and provide even more amenities for fans. When the Q isn’t hosting world-class

Kent State University ¢ Memorial Athletic and Convocation Center. Home to KSU’s volleyball, men’s and women’s basketball, gymnastics and wrestling. ¢ Dix Stadium—home to KSU

And—that’s now a possibility.

For most of its history, the track at Derby Downs was closed to all but derby-sanctioned races.

However, the track and its outbuildings can now be rented for community and corporate team-building events.

Golden Flashes football.

The Thrill of the Hill® at Derby Downs Derby Downs, on the east side of Akron, has been the home of the FirstEnergy All-American Soap Box Derby since it was built as a Works Progress Administration Project in 1936.

It lies against a natural hill on the eastern fringes of Akron Fulton International Airport USA Today and National Geographic have called the 84-year-old soap box derby an “icon” of Americana. Each July, hundreds of racers and their families from all over the nation and several foreign countries

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The women of the Akron Roller Derby are built for hard hits and speed. They take on teams from around the state in flat-track competition.

Home matches are at the Summit County Fairgrounds in Tallmadge.

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Call us European here, but we know soccer. The University of Akron’s men’s soccer team, one-time national champions, has cultivated many of Major League Soccer’s (MLS) best players.

There are 20-25 UA grads in the MLS in any given year. greaterakroncham ber.org

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Towpath Trail

Nimisila Campgrounds 30

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PHOTO BY KARL SIMONSON

Blue Heron

COURTESY OF CUYAHOGA VALLEY NATIONAL PARK

Ledges Overlook

COURTESY OF CUYAHOGA VALLEY NATIONAL PARK

BREATHE

Ditch Your Phone and Grab the Hiking Boots.

O

ur parks are one of the very best things about living here. The Cuyahoga Valley National Park, the only national park in Ohio, is at the heart of the outdoor experience in Greater Akron. But state, county and city parks have plenty of charms of their own. n Whipps Ledges, Hinckley: Where the buzzards come home to roost each spring.

Check out some of our favorites.

n Liberty Park Ledges, Twinsburg: Cliffs, caves and a boardwalk across wetlands.

n Ritchie Ledges at Virginia Kendall State Park, Peninsula: A photographer’s dream of the river valley.

n Nelson-Kennedy Ledges State Park, Garrettsville: Pass Devil’s Icebox to see Cascade Falls.

SMART MOVE

PHOTO BY ROB VAUGHN

Living on the Ledge Northeast Ohio’s unique geology is on display at our ledges—perfect for waterfall gazing and climbing to that sunset overlook.

Ritchie Ledges

ALEX DAW Summit Metro Parks, Chief of Human Resources & Administration Moved from Akron to Connecticut, back to Akron in 2017.

Biggest surprise: I shouldn’t have been surprised; however, I was impressed by the level of commitment and energy of residents and corporations reinvesting in the communities. In creating a unique area filled with diverse recreation, social, and economic opportunities, it seems as though the Greater Akron area is going through a renaissance!

Day off fun: My ideal day off usually incorporates taking my wife and son on a bike ride or hike on one of many trails located in the Summit Metro Parks, then trying out a new local restaurant and refueling afterwards.

Tips for newcomers: Get out and explore! There are so many great opportunities to partake in right in your own backyard! Go hiking, biking, kayaking and so much more! There is big city life in a small-town setting.

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BREATHE The Little Cuyahoga

The Whole Burning River Thing The Cuyahoga River, which winds its way through Greater Akron, caught fire in 1969 and jump-started the modern environmental movement.

Today, it’s vibrant, thriving and lovely. A stunning comeback for the crooked river.

Mary Campbell Cave In 1759, a Pennsylvania girl was captured by Indians and reportedly brought to a cave in present-day Gorge Metro Park, where she lived as a child of Chief Netawatwees. Young Mary Campbell was released in 1764 after a treaty ended the French and Indian War.

Cycle It The Cuyahoga Valley Scenic Railroad’s Bike Aboard! Program lets you bike the Ohio & Erie Canal Towpath Trail, then hop for a relaxing ride back. Cost is $5. n Hampton Hills, has seven miles of mountain biking trails that are a “no pedestrian” zone. n The 34-mile Summit Metro Parks Hike & Bike Trail follows the line of an old railroad between Cleveland and Akron. n Portage Hike & Bike Trail, Portage County, is the major east-west link between the major regional trails.

Cuyahoga River

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COURTESY OF CUUYAHOGA VALLEY NATIONAL PARK

PHOTO BY ROB BLAIR

Bike Aboard!

PHOTO BY ROBERT GEORGE

Cuyahoga Valley Scenic Railroad

PHOTO BY KEN ROBINSON

Hampton Hills Metro Park

PHOTO BY JERRY CANNON

Beaver Marsh

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BREATHE

DOWNTOWN A THRILLS & CHILLS

from the Liberty Park Nature Center in Twinsburg. ¢ Take a kayak tour of Akron’s storied Summit Lake led by a certified naturalist from the Summit Metro Parks. ¢ Stretch yourself at the summer Elevate Akron Outdoor Yoga Festival at Lock 3.

Nimisila Reservoir

Grab Your Binoculars n Springfield Bog Metro Park: A prairie habitat with wildflowers and Northern Bobwhites. n Hinckley Reservation, Hinckley: Mature deciduous forest with swallows, Belted Kingfishers and Rubythroated Hummingbirds. n Berlin Lake, Portage County: Mudflats draw shorebirds. n Blue Heron Heronry, Akron: The largest herons in North America arrive in spring to nest in Merriman Valley.

Portage Lakes Paradise The Portage Lakes, with their recreational, restaurant and entertainment offerings, have a vacay vibe all year. Portage Lakes State Park anchors the area.

n Play disc golf on a dedicated 18-hole course at Portage Lakes State Park. It’s free, but BYOD. n Attend a stargazing party or lecture at the Akron Astronomy Club’s observatory at the state park.

PHOTO BY ROB BLAIR

n Fish at Nimisila Reservoir in the Summit Metro Parks portion of Portage Lakes, a peaceful place to plant a pole.

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downto

¢ Take a night hike to learn about nocturnal creatures from a certified naturalist and follow it up with a campfire at Summit Metro Parks’ Twinsburg Ledges Nature Center.

n Tour the lakes on a pontoon boat from Portage Lakes Cruises.

n Rent a kayak, canoe or paddleboard. Try Baines Pier 619. Or bring your own.

Springfield Bog

¢ Park in downtown Akron.

Or try the parent-child yoga classes at the F.A. Seiberling Nature Realm in Akron.

COURTESY OF SUMMIT METRO PARKS

COURTESY OF DEPARTMENT OF NATURAL RESOURCES

THRILLS

ENTERTAINMENT EVENTS • ¢ Borrow snowshoes for•free

CHILLS ¢ During winter, pick up some birdseed at the Brecksville Nature Center and hand feed chickadees. Stand still, and they will alight on you for a snack. ¢ Follow rhyming clues and maps to locate hidden boxes all while learning about the Ohio & Erie Canalway on one of its 40 quests. ¢ Ride the rails and play detective on one of the Cuyahoga Valley Scenic Railroad’s regular Friday Night Murder Mystery trips.

DOWNTOWN DOWNTOWN AKRON HAS ALL! DOWNTOWNAKRON AKRONHAS HASITITITALL! ALL! AKRON HAS IT ALL! Microbusiness Center ENTERTAINMENT ENTERTAINMENT ENTERTAINMENT •••EVENTS EVENTS EVENTS•••SHOPPING SHOPPING SHOPPING•••DINING DINING DINING•••ART ART ART•••RECREATION RECREATION RECREATION ENTERTAINMENT • EVENTS • SHOPPING • DINING • ART • RECREATION Funded through a generous grant from the John S. and James L. Knight Foundation.

• SHOPPING • DINING • ART•• EVENTS RECREATION ENTERTAINMENT • SHOPPING DINING • ART • RECREATION The Microbusiness Center at Main Library provides accessible business training, educational resources and individualized Microbusiness Center direction to business owners, Microbusiness Center Microbusiness Center entrepreneurs and students.

downtownakron.com

Free Co-Working Space

#downtownakron

Maker Space Maker Space Maker Space Resources for Maker Space Resources for the the innovative innovative and and Resources for the innovative and creative community.

Resources for the innovative and creative creative community. community. creative community.

Business Training Business Training Business Training Classes, Business Trainingand Classes, workshops workshops and sessions sessions Classes, workshops and sessions on topicsworkshops spanning business, the Classes, and sessions on on topics topics spanning spanning business, business, the the arts and the community. on topics spanning business, the arts arts and and the the community. community. arts and the community. www.akronlibrary.org www.akronlibrary.org www.akronlibrary.org 330-643-9000 www.akronlibrary.org 330-643-9000 330-643-9000 330-643-9000

photo: Joe Levack/Studio Akron

Free Wi-Fi, standing workstations, Funded through a generous Funded through generous Funded through aaand generous downtownakron.com #downtownakron office equipment grant from the John S.enclosed and Funded through a generous grant from the grant from the John John S. S. and and meeting room.

James L. Knight Foundation. grant from the John S. and James downtownakron.com #downtownakron James L. L. Knight Knight Foundation.

Foundation.

James L. Knight Foundation.

Maker Space Center at The Microbusiness The Microbusiness Center at ownakron.com The Microbusiness Center#downtownakron at and Resources forprovides the innovative Main Library accessible The Microbusiness Center at Main Library provides accessible Main Library provides accessible creative community. business training, educational Main Library provides accessible business training, training, educational educational business resources and business educational AKRON ART MUSEUM resourcestraining, and individualized individualized resources and individualized direction to business owners, Business Training resources and individualized ENRICHING LIVES THROUGH MODERN & CONTEMPORARY ART direction to business owners, direction to business owners, Free Gallery Admission Every Thursday, generously sponsored by entrepreneurs and direction to business owners, Classes, workshops and sessions entrepreneurs and students. students. entrepreneurs and students. the J.M. Smucker Company entrepreneurs and students. on topics spanning business, the arts and the community.

Free Co-Working Space Free Co-Working Space Free Co-Working Space Free Wi-Fi, standing workstations, Free Co-Working Space Free Wi-Fi, standing workstations, Free Wi-Fi, standing workstations, www.akronlibrary.org office equipment and enclosed Free Wi-Fi, standing workstations, office equipment office equipment and and enclosed enclosed 330-643-9000 meeting room. office equipment and enclosed meeting room. room. meeting meeting room.

One South High | Akron, Ohio 44308 | 330.376.9186 | AkronArtMuseum.org

“The Jewel On Main Street”

The Akron Civic Theatre 182 S. Main Street Akron, OH 44308 Office: 330-535-3179 Box Office: 330-253-2488 www.AkronCivic.com Follow us @akroncivic photo: John Ward

DANIEL HORRIGAN, MAYOR

Family Fun All Year Round! downtownakron.com downtownakron.com downtownakron.com #downtownakron #downtownakron #downtownakron greaterakroncham ber.org downtownakron.com #downtownakron

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ENJOY

Akron Art Museum

PHOTO BY DALE DONG

NEO Dance

Greater Akron

is Alight!

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Signal Tree Fest

The Cleveland Orchestra at Blossom Music Center

Get your groove on.

Soothe your soul.

Think a new idea. greaterakroncham ber.org

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PHOTO BY ROGER MASTROIANNI

PHOTO BY ASHLEY KOURI

COURTESY OF CITY OF TWINSBURGH

Rock the Park Twinsburg

ENJOY

Change your point of view.

Lose yourself for hours.

Learn something new.

COURTESY OF EJ THOMAS HALL

Theron Brown at Blu+Jazz

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The world-famous Cleveland Orchestra has its summer home at the Blossom Music Center in Cuyahoga Falls, one of the most admired outdoor music venues anywhere.

Blossom also hosts numerous rock, country and indie concerts all summer sponsored by Live Nation. Pack a picnic and prepare to be wowed. This is a Greater Akron must.

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COURTESY OF TUESDAY MUSICAL ASSOCIATION

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The Tuesday Musical Association, founded in 1887, brings the finest classical music to Greater Akron. Its Decompression Chamber program transports chamber music concerts to high-stress sites where people come and go such as courthouses and hospitals.

COURTESY OF THERON BROWN

Lock 3 LIVE

PHOTO BY PAUL SILLA

Feel the funky vibe. Absorb the beauty.

Dance a new step.

Porthouse Theatre

SMART MOVE

SARAH J. ROGERS Kent State University Museum, Director Moved from Columbus to Kent in 2018.

Day off desire: I’d start off at the Kent State University Museum; then I’d head to the Akron Art Museum. Later, I’d get my bike and head for a trail through the parks and in the evening go to Porthouse Theatre or Blossom Music Center.

On the arts climate: The arts have never been more vibrant. Talented artists and designers are choosing to live in the area, and there are great galleries, museums, performance spaces and audiences to support the activity.

Tips for newcomers: I feel welcome wherever I go. Just be open to exploring—look for the farmers’ markets, gallery hops, and special community events, which will quickly get you into the swing of things.

Biggest surprise: I grew up in Akron and haven’t spent much time here since then, so I was glad to see all the changes in downtown Kent and Akron.

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Ohio Shakespeare Festival

PHOTO BY SCOTT CLUSTER

ENJOY

Be entertained.

COURTESY OF AKRON CIVIC THEATRE

Akron Civic Theatre

COURTESY OF THERON BROWN

Rubber City Jazz & Blues Festival

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Weathervane Theater

COURTESY OF AKRON SYMPHONY

Be amazed.

Akron Symphony Orchestra

Sense this special place.

Love the 330 life!

100 years of stories + a Mansion in the Gardens ...

Tour Akron’s

714 N. Portage Path Akron, OH 44303 330.836.5533

stanhywet.org greaterakroncham ber.o rg

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CREATE

Akron Artwalk

COURTESY OF RUBBER CITY PRINTS

We’ll give you the wand . . . you make the magic.

I

f you’re an artist, Greater Akron is the place where you can flourish. This is a community that’s serious about creativity. Be you poet or VR creator, come be inspired and inspire others in turn.

“These ideas are like the city itself—unique, charming, and with an influence and impact far greater than their size would suggest,” the foundation wrote when it announced the winners.

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Here are a few of those unique, charming and influential projects:

The Himalayan Music Academy—a musical celebration of Akron’s immigrant communities

COURTESY OF SUMMIT ARTSPACE

Support Greater Akron art and artists are supported by many groups and foundations, including the John S. and James L. Knight Foundation. Akron is one of 26 cities that benefit from the Knight Foundation’s generosity because of ties to the Knights.

(The family launched its newspaper empire in Akron.)

none too fragile theatre—the world premiere of a play based on the British indie film 44 Inch Chest Akronstein VR Animation Lab—a studio for stop-motion and 3D virtual reality animation Urban Troubadour—a series of roving concerts in public spaces

Space Summit Artspace is a community art center that brings together in one location some of the best local

artists, arts organizations and educators of Greater Akron. Its studios are filled with potters, quilters, sculptors and painters.

Artists can rent studio space and use shared areas such as conference rooms.

The Summit Artspace building in downtown Akron houses the Summit Artspace Gallery, artist studios, the Akron Area Arts Alliance office, The BOX Gallery and several art organizations, including Artists of Rubber City and the Gum-Dip Theatre. It has workshop areas, meeting rooms and performance areas. The County of Summit, a longtime supporter of Artspace, owns the building.

Summit Artspace also operates two artist enclaves in Barberton: the Art Center on Tuscarawas (ACoT) and Nine Muses Art Gallery.

Time Come aboard the Akron Soul Train, a fellowship program for creative sorts and their allies.

Although the actual village of refurbished rail cars and shipping containers is still in

SMART MOVE

the early stages, the programs are already rolling along.

The TechZone includes professional grade recording studios, 3-D printer, laser Fellowships from one-to-six months long have been awarded engraver, vinyl printer, media transfer station, green screen to 20 artists since the idea won video recording, photo box and an Arts Challenge grant from a crafting area with a button the Knight Foundation in 2016. maker, sewing and silhouette The artists, including poets, machines. Design computers musicians and visual artists, with Adobe Creative Cloud are receive the studios, gallery also available. space and funding they need to create. In turn, they share Supplies are low cost; a price list their work with the broader can be found at akronlibrary.org. community through workshops, Some of the things you can lectures and exhibitions in make at the TechZone: galleries and public spaces. ¢ a podcast

Tools This is not your father’s library.

On the first floor of the downtown Akron-Summit County Public Library, everyday creativity flourishes. The TechZone@Main has equipment for making just about anything your heart desires.

¢ a CD of your videotaped home movies

¢ a music video ¢ a vinyl business banner ¢ a dress ¢ a 3-D printed dress ¢ an engraved iPhone case ¢ an album

JOSY JONES Actor, Director and Playwright

FLOCO TORRES Hip Hop Musician Moved from Macon, GA to Akron in 2017.

Biggest surprise: Floco: Akron can feel like a big city and a small town at the same time. It’s the best of both worlds.

Day off fun: Floco: Any of the Metro Parks (Gorge is my fave), Quarter Up Arcade or Akron Art Museum. Or I’d probably look around for a show in the DIY scene.

On the business/nonprofit/arts climate: Floco: It’s definitely growing. The current focus is consolidating efforts and making a real push to Akronites that haven’t been as confident with the city’s future as others.

Josy: Greater Akron rewards hard work. I went from having to work a survivor job to working for several Knight Foundation-funded initiatives.

I feel inspired, challenged and confident in my ability to continue to build a career here.

Tips for newcomers: Josy: Do. Explore. If you have an idea, you can find someone who will help you make it a reality. If you are looking for a certain type of event, you may find it. greaterakroncham ber.org

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The opening of MAGNET South on Main St., Akron

Timocco Interactive Games

Bouncing Back To Our Future

O

nce called the Tire Capital of the World, Greater Akron has been transformed into a hub for creativity in business. This is the place to make your mark.

Advanced Materials Greater Akron has leveraged its significant history in advanced materials science to create exciting opportunities.

From nanotechnology-based adhesives to liquid crystal biosensors, our new economy is a natural outgrowth of our heritage.

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In recent years, The Goodyear Tire and Rubber Co.—in Akron since 1898—opened a new global headquarters campus.

Bridgestone Americas is partnering with the Akron Public Schools to create the Academy of Applied Engineering and Technology at East Community Learning Center.

The company has a $100 million technical center in Akron. Other international tire companies, including Continental in Fairlawn, Hankook in Green and Nexen in Richfield, have continued to invest in Greater Akron.

International Business More than 100 foreign-owned companies are located in Greater Akron, making it one of the largest international hubs in Ohio.

Akron is the North American headquarters of Timocco, an Israeli software company that develops therapeutic interactive games for children with autism, cerebral palsy and other developmental disabilities.

ContiTech of Fairlawn, a division of Continental AG (Germany), is a major supplier of tank track, rubberized wheels, hoses, power transmission belts, conveyor

COURTESY OF AKRON VIDEO MAKERS

FOCUS

belts and air springs Ravizza Packaging, a third generation Italian manufacturer of industrial bagging machines, moved its U.S. operations to Akron after meeting city officials at trade shows overseas.

In 2018, the Greater Akron Chamber and City of Akron co-chaired the “Akron, USA” delegation at the Hannover Messe in Germany, the largest industrial tradeshow in the world.

Advanced Manufacturing and Technology In 2018, MAGNET (Manufacturing Advocacy and Growth Network) opened two Akron offices to assist small to medium-sized manufacturers. Today nearly 40,000 people in Akron are employed in manufacturing jobs, according to the Federal Reserve Bank (2016). More than 600 metalworking, electronics, machining and polymer-linked manufacturing companies currently call the Greater Akron area home, producing everything from artificial joints to everyday household products.

Downtown Akron

percent of Greater Akron’s employment. Over the past decade, Akron Children’s Hospital, Cleveland Clinic Akron General, Summa Health Systems, SummaCare and NEOMED have announced investments topping $1 billion.

usually made from crude oil and natural gas.

monomers and solvents used to make polymers that are

airports, three Class 1 railroads and six deep-water ports.

Echogen Power System, in Akron, commercializes waste heat for use by industry and other large consumers.

The Akron Renewable Energy Facility converts bio solids into NicheVision is a recognized electricity and heat and uses leader in software used by what remains after the process forensics and post bone-marrow to produce pelletized organic transplant monitoring labs. It New companies have emerged, fertilizer. The City of Akron, a such as Fuse Chicken, Cuyahoga is only one of many companies partner with KB BioEnergy, has that have found a home and Falls, which develops and been a leader in the area of bio support through city-sponsored manufactures accessories for solid-to-electricity recycling for smart phones and computers. In innovation programs. more than a decade.

2017, the company was named one of Amazon’s top sellers.

Renewable Energy Information Technology Greater Akron has several The information technology companies dedicated to Biomedicine industry has grown rapidly in creating and harnessing The Northeast Ohio region Greater Akron. One example, renewable energy. ranks fifth in the world for OEC, in Richfield, develops neuro-tech healthcare and sixth Vadxx Energy has a $20 million software utilized by GM, Ford in the world for neuro-device plant in Akron where waste and Chrysler to track original companies. The Greater Akron plastic is turned into fuel, the equipment parts. region has brought together first commercial plant of its kind hospitals, research institutions in the nation. and biomedical businesses to Transportation RES Polyflow of Akron uses create a unique environment for mixed dirty plastic and rubber Northeast Ohio has five of the biomedical related research and waste to create gasoline, diesel eight major interstate highways technology. in the state, four of the seven fuel, and, most importantly, Akron’s healthcare industry accounts for more than 17

greaterakroncham ber.org

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FOCUS Experience Greater Akron Interviews Darlyn McDermott, Market Leader and Growth Advisor, MAGNET South

EGA: What is MAGNET’s general mission?

More than half of the nation’s retail outlets are within a day’s drive of Greater Akron, which explains, in part, why the area is home to more than 150 trucking companies as well as major warehouses and distribution centers.

EGA: Are they all located in your facility, or can they just use your resources? Do companies have to be a certain size?

McDermott: No, our facility houses our leaders and growth advisors, and we also model companies to give an example of one or many ways we help them. We serve companies as small as one person with a patent up to companies with several $100 million in revenue. We have three divisions: incubator, small business and middle market for that reason.

EGA: How many Akron companies do you provide resources for?

McDermott: We currently work with a handful of Akron companies, and as folks get to know us, we hope to work with many more. We have already met with over 50 manufacturing companies since MAGNET South opened. It’s about relationships, trust and showing up. We will demonstrate these qualities, and more and more companies will trust us.

EGA: What are some companies that are housed there or use your resources?

McDermott: Coastal Pet (Stark County) is on display here. The Technology House is also on display. We have helped them with many topics, but the one we love partnering with them most on is 3D printing. MCF is not on display, but we have helped them immensely with sales and marketing.

EGA: What are your plans to expand in the Akron region?

McDermott: We plan to add a few staff down the road; for now, I call this office home. I do go to our Cleveland office regularly. We want to meet with every single manufacturer in Summit until we know there is no need for us. If we cannot help them, we would like to funnel them to the economic developer of their choice.

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Goodyear Polymer Science Center

Construction We’re always under construction. O’Reilly Auto Parts chose to develop its new distribution center at Cornerstone Business Park in Twinsburg in 2018, bringing 400 full-time jobs to the city.

Our local hospitals and universities have invested millions in their downtown campuses in the last year.

Residential development, especially in downtown Akron is also booming.

Resources for Akron Entrepreneurs Abound Greater Akron offers a wealth of resources for startups and young companies.

Bounce Innovation Hub, founded in 2018, is the region’s first open innovation hub.

COURTESY OF THE UNIVERSITY OF AKRON

McDermott: MAGNET is a private/public partnership that serves the 18 counties we call Northeast Ohio by supporting the manufacturing vertical any way we can through innovation, prototyping, additive manufacturing, engineering, operations, workforce integration, cyber compliance and organizational management and sales/marketing. My region is MAGNET South: all 419 and 330 area codes included in those 9 to 10 counties.

Akron, Canton, Ravenna, Wooster, Massillon, Youngstown and Medina are all hubs.

A partner, BioEnterprise, offers particular resources for entrepreneurs in the healthcare industry.

Akron’s Small Business Development Center is another valuable resource in any industry. And The University of Akron’s I-Corps is a publicprivate partnership program that teaches grantees to identify product opportunities in their academic research.

SMART MOVE

The Greater Akron Chamber’s Small Business Council represents the interests of all businesses with 250 or fewer employees in Medina, Portage and Summit counties.

Akron is for Entrepreneurs is a promotional effort of the Fund for Our Economic Future, an alliance of funders— from foundations to civic associations—to pool their resources for regional economic growth.

The Greater Akron Chamber’s KNOW (Knowledgeable Network of Women) is a personal and professional development and networking program designed to cultivate and support extraordinary female talent.

COURTESY OF EBAY

Located in the former B.F. Goodrich plant, the building has office, lab and light manufacturing space. Bounce is home to 50 organizations and more than 200 people working and creating in various industries, including biomedicine, agriculture, advanced materials and polymers.

Retail Revival In January 2018, Akron was chosen by eBay as the first city in a pilot program called Retail Revival. More than 100 Akron companies are taking part. To learn more, visit www.ebay.com/ Akron.

STEPHEN KARAGIOZIS The Goodyear Tire & Rubber Company, Senior Director, Global Talent Acquisition Moved from Akron to Pittsburgh and back to Akron in 2017.

Biggest surprise: I was impressed with the work that has been done in rebuilding and enhancing the City of Akron. The University of Akron campus is amazing! There’s so much for both families and single people to do.

On the business climate: Northeast Ohio offers a lot. It is home to numerous Fortune 500 companies across different industries and sectors. There is a strong professional and skilled workforce, and there is a relatively low cost of doing business. These factors plus having access to excellent regional colleges and universities help keep the best talent in the area.

You also see many collaborations between businesses and nonprofit organizations of all sizes to build a stronger community. greaterakroncham ber.org

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FOCUS Experience Greater Akron Interviews Doug Weintraub, CEO, Bounce Innovation Hub

SMART MOVE

EGA: How did the Akron Global Business Accelerator evolve into Bounce, and why the name?

DW: Entrepreneurs move around in so many places— finance, raising capital, employees. No hours are the same, and no day is the same.

The name represents the energy it takes to run a business.

Our services have changed, especially the first floor, the future home of The Generator. It’s undergoing a 30,000-square-foot renovation that, when it opens in 2019, will include co-working spaces, collaborative space, a makerspace and a café and coffeehouse, where everyone comes together. It will be a place to discuss business, share ideas and hold seminars to help entrepreneurs.

EGA: Aside from your background as a founding member of Cleveland’s JumpStart, what personal business experience do you bring to the new position?

DW: I started my first company in 1986, Socius (a technology consulting firm) and Centerprise Information Advisors, a valueadded reseller for accounting and CRM software. As an entrepreneur, an advisor and an investor, I understand the journey and what it takes to succeed. I can make sure that area startups get the services and opportunities they need.

EGA: Why Akron?

DW: From a personal perspective, Akron is a wonderful place to raise a family.

KAREN O’BRIEN Signet Jewelers, Vice President of Media Strategy & Planning Moved from San Francisco to Hudson in 2018.

On Living in Akron: We love the charming, historic downtown feel. The area is steeped in tradition, with treelined residential streets and historic homes. Neighbors gather in community squares for all types of events.

On Working in Akron: I am excited to be part of a community that is so civically engaged and a company that takes pride in giving back. Signet Jewelers’ support to the various local charitable organizations is truly inspiring.

So many companies headquartered here are household names. I’m thrilled to be part of Signet Jewelers—the parent company of Kay Jewelers, Jared The Galleria Of Jewelry, Zales and Piercing Pagoda. It’s inspiring to share our community with Goodyear, Cleveland Clinic and Little Tikes, just to name a few other established and innovative companies!

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E X P E R IE N C E G R EATE R AK RO N

ON THE RISE: A SAMPLE OF ENTREPRENEURS MAKING THEIR MARK From a business perspective, there’s a lot of creativity. It’s very easy to do business in Akron.

Bounce offers resources— from idea to execution to financing. We don’t just provide rent in a factory. We provide collision with large companies and help with a ton of services around building businesses.

The facility allows you to save money on rent, which helps to build the company.

As the business matures, you can graduate from our facility to your own space. The time frame varies, but the concept is that you graduate into other spaces in the Akron area.

Localingua—Owner Mario Morelos immigrated from Mexico to the U.S. nearly 30 years ago. He started his successful translation services business in Kent in 2006 and is heavily involved in the Kent and Akron communities.

Sanabel Middle East Bakery— Owner Norma Touma, originally from Lebanon, started and grew this restaurant while raising her children as a single mom. Her Middle Eastern sandwiches and food have quickly made this small business a favorite of city leaders and neighborhood locals alike.

Red Point Digital—Owner Eric Vaughan moved the company from San Clemente, CA to Akron.

This established video production company recently won a Knight Arts Challenge Grant to pursue a virtual reality/stop-motion animation lab.

Gourmet Body Pastries Skincare— Melanie Mitchell grew up in Akron but lived in Atlanta for 16 years before returning to the city recently.

Her company produces all-natural skincare products, and she is an eBay Retail Revival participant.

The Devil Strip— Founder/publisher Chris Horne is originally from Georgia, but has become one of Akron’s fiercest and proudest supporters. He was recently a recipient of a Knight Journalism Fellowship.

BioflightVR—The company uses virtual reality technology to develop training for doctors and other health care providers.

Co-founder Rik Shorten opened an Akron office of the Los Angeles company last year and has found Akron Children’s Hospital to be a terrific partner in further developing the technology.

Contributed by Heather Roszczyk, Innovation & Entrepreneurship Advocate, City of Akron.

Start.

Create.

Make.

Do.

Northeast Ohio’s First Open Innovation Hub INCUBATOR • ACCELERATOR OFFICE AND LAB SPACE • EVENTS CREATIVE SPACE 526 S. Main St., Akron, OH 44311

bouncehub.org

Coming in early 2019!

Co-working, makerspace, café, expanded event space

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FOCUS BUSINESS CONNECTIONS Akron Cleveland Association

of REALTORS® akronclevelandrealtors.com Akron-Canton Airport

akroncantonairport.com Akron Development Fund, Ltd.

greaterakronchamber.org City of Akron, Economic Development Department

akronohio.gov

BOUNCE Innovation Hub

COURTESY OF LEADERSHIP AKRON

bouncehub.org

SMART MOVE

ARCHAngels (Akron Regional Change Angels) Network

uakron.edu/archangels

Akron/Summit Convention and Visitors Bureau

visitakron-summit.org Akron Urban League

akronurbanleague.org

CHRISTOPHER MAZZIOTTO Bounce Innovation Hub, Director of Entrepreneurial Services Moved from Connecticut to Kent in 2017.

Biggest surprise: The rich history in the rubber industry. The Bounce Innovation Hub’s name and location in the old B.F. Goodrich tire factory are a testament to that industry. I was also surprised to learn that LeBron James, Stephen Curry and The Black Keys are from Akron.

On living in Greater Akron: My wife Volha and I moved to Kent when she got accepted to NEOMED in Rootstown. We love eateries like Treno, Wild Goats Café and Tree City Coffee. Downtown is perfect for walking, and we often stop at the Haymakers Farmers’ Market.

On working in Greater Akron: When I moved here, I looked for an organization where I could continue working with entrepreneurs and startups, and I found Bounce, remarkably offering everything startups need in one building.

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E X P E R IE N C E G REATE R AK RO N

BioEnterprise Corp.

bioenterprise.com

Cascade Capital Corp.

cascadecapital.org

Central Portage County Visitor & Convention Bureau

centralportage.org

Community Improvement Corporation (CIC)

greaterakronchamber.org conxusneo.jobs Development Finance Authority of Summit County

developmentfinanceauthority.org Downtown Akron Partnership

downtownakron.com

Economic & Community Development Institute (ECDI) Akron

ecdi.org/locations/Akron

COURTESY OF GREATER AKRON CHAMBER

ConxusNEO

KNOW Program Panel. Left to right: Julie Brandle, Metis Construction; S. Theresa Carter, OMNOVA Solutions Foundation; Tia Ramlow, Great Work! Employment Services; Katie Sutter, Excelsior Marketing.

We can help you start and grow your business.

From site selection to staff selection, we have programs and partners to help you with your business challenges and opportunities. for more information, contact

more options...

There are many proven strategies to maximize your readiness for retirement. Join us for a cup of coffee and a relaxed conversation about how we can help you find the strategy that makes the most sense for where you are in life.

Are you ready for more?

Connie Krauss, Director Department of Community and Economic Development 330.643.2893 or ckrauss@summitoh.net

Plan. Build. Retire...

Follow us on Facebook and Twitter The County of Summit, Ohio

presperfinancial.com 520 S. Main St. Ste. 2552 | Akron, OH 44311 | 330.253.6000

www.co.summit.oh.us greaterakroncham ber.org

51

Ride with the No. 1 car insurer in Ohio.

Greater Akron Chamber

greaterakronchamber.org Greater Akron Chamber Young Professionals Network

greaterakronypn.org

The Home Builders Association

akronhba.com With competitive rates and personal service, it’s no wonder more drivers trust State Farm®. As your local agent, I’m here to help life go right.® LET’S TALK TODAY.

JobsOhio

jobs-ohio.com JumpStart, Inc.

jumpstartinc.org City of Kent, Economic Development Department

Meghan MacDonald Ins Agcy Inc Meghan MacDonald, Agent 756 Graham Road Bus: 330-929-2500 www.meghanmacdonald.net

kentohio.org

Manufacturing Advocacy & Growth Network (MAGNET)

manufacturingsuccess.org

Medina County Convention & Visitors Bureau

visitmedinacounty.com

medinacounty.org

City of Medina, Economic Development Department

medinaoh.org

Northeast Ohio Trade & Economic Consortium (NEOTEC)

neotec.org

Ohio Employee Ownership Center (OEOC)

oeockent.org

Ohio Means Jobs—Medina County

medinacountyworks.com

Ohio Means Jobs—Portage County

co.portage.oh.us/ohiomeansjobs Ohio Means Jobs—Summit County

summitomj.org

Ohio Small Business Development Center/Summit Medina Business Alliance

akronsbdc.org

COURTESY OF LEADERSHIP AKRON

State Farm Mutual Automobile Insurance Company Bloomington, IL 1708164

Medina County Economic Development Corp.

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EX P E R IE N C E G R E ATE R AK RO N

10 LARGEST EMPLOYERS IN THE GREATER AKRON REGION Summa Health

525 E. Market St.

Akron

Medical Health Care Services

7,000

Cleveland Clinic Akron General

1 Akron General Ave.

Akron

Medical Health Care Services

4,383

Kent State University

P.O. Box 5190

Kent

Higher Education

4,114

Akron Children’s Hospital

One Perkins Square

Akron

Medical Health Care Services

3,959

Goodyear Tire & Rubber Company

200 Innovation Way

Akron

Tire Manufacturing

3,000

Summit County

175 S. Main St., Suite 207

Akron

Government

2,969

Signet Jewelers

375 Ghent Rd.

Akron

Jewelry Stores

2,900

Akron Public Schools

70 N. Broadway

Akron

Elementary And Secondary Schools

2,774

The University of Akron

302 Buchtel Ave.

Akron

Higher Education

2,622

FirstEnergy Corp.

76 S. Main St.

Akron

Utilities

2,500

Source: Greater Akron Chamber, 2017 Greater Akron Book of Facts

Quality Ohio Small Business Development Centers Export Assistance Network

exportassistance. development.ohio.gov PolymerOhio

Team NEO

teamneo.org

QQ U uAaLlI iTt Y y

||

|

Speed

SSP EeEdD pe

|

|

|

Valu

VaAlLuUe E V

The University of Akron Research Foundation (UARF)

uakron.edu/uarf Quality

polymerohio.org

|

Speed

|

Value

Portage Development Board

portagedevbd.org

Procurement Technical Assistance Center (PTAC)

ptac.ohio.edu

Rubber Division— American Chemical Society (ACS)

rubber.org SCORE

Akron.score.org Summit County Department of Community and Economic Development Office

co.summit.oh.us

If you would like to be included in this list in the future, please contact Tammy Grimmett at (330) 237-1246 or grimmett@ greaterakronchamber. org.

Acorn Corner, Kent, Ohio

LLC

co nstructi o n servi ces

LLC

c o n s t ru c t i oLLC n s e rv i c e s c ons truc tion s e rvic e s

General Contracting | Management Construction Management Facilities General Contracting | Construction Construction Management Facilities Management | General Contracting | || Facilities Management World Headquarters | 175 E. Erie St., Suite | Kent, OH 44240 | www.MetisConstruction.com World Headquarters |303 175 E.St., Erie St., 303 Suite | Kent, OH 44240 World Headquarters | 175 E. Erie Suite |303 Kent, OH 44240 || 330.677.7333 www.MetisConstruction.c www.MetisConstruction.com | 330.677.7333 greaterakroncham ber.org

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COURTESY OF TORCHBEARERS

CONNECT

Torchbearers at Goodyear Airdock

Mix, mingle, learn and grow.

B

eing a young professional in Greater Akron is exciting and inspiring. This is your time to shine. To excel. To connect with others who share your interests and passions. Let your best self thrive by nurturing it with professional friendships you’ll have for a lifetime.

Greater Akron Chamber’s Young Professionals Network YPN provides members an indepth opportunity to access and learn from established leaders like Joe Kanfer (GOJO), Joel Testa (Testa Companies), Nick Browning (Huntington Bank) and Margaret Medzie (Akron Community Foundation).

Members also benefit from employers showcasing their organizations to the communities’ emerging leaders.

YPNs also meet up with likeminded peers dedicated to making Greater Akron and themselves the best they can be. The membership fee is $35, and events are geared toward those ages 21-39.

For more information, email ypn@greaterakronchamber.org.

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E X P E R IE N C E G R EATE R AK RO N

30 for the Future Awards For a dozen years, the 30 for the Future program has recognized stellar individuals ages 25-39 for their professional accomplishments and community contributions to Greater Akron.

Nominees submit comprehensive leadership documents, which are thoroughly reviewed by a selection committee.

The recipients are honored at an event each fall, during which the audience is introduced to these talented young professionals through video interviews.

Young Professionals of Akron The Young Professionals of Akron (YPA) is open to anyone “young” and growing in his or her career. YPA is focused on

connecting young professionals to each other and to the city through community and social events. It plays a vital role in attracting and retaining young talent to the region.

Visit ypakron.org Downtown Akron Partnership Emerging Leaders Downtown Akron Partnership (DAP) Emerging Leaders was established in 2010 to retain young professionals and enhance DAP’s mission of building and promoting a vibrant, valuable downtown.

DAP includes members under 35 years old from a variety of businesses and organizations.

Visit downtownakron.com/ about/emergingleaders

Torchbearers Torchbearers was established in 2003 to strengthen the connection between Akron area nonprofits and emerging leaders based on the belief that this helps to attract and retain talent to the region. Torchbearers have the opportunity to network with other young leaders who share a passion for the strength of the

community, enhance leadership skills and participate in various volunteer service projects.

Visit torchbearersakron.com Emerging Leaders United Formerly known as the Young Leaders Society, this group recognizes young leaders who value the importance of

philanthropy and believe in and support the work of United Way. Members channel their talents and passion to advance the common good while expanding their social and professional networks.

Individuals under the age of 40 who make a yearly, undesignated gift of $250 or more are eligible to join Emerging Leaders United.

Networking, leadership training and volunteering are all aspects of the program.

COURTESY OF TORCHBEARERS

Visit uwsummit.org/emergingleadersunited Young Black Professionals Coalition (YBPC) The YBPC is a nonprofit organization focused on the personal, professional and social development of future leaders, including high school and college students. YBPC is focused on improving the minority community by providing tools to enhance overall wellness through a variety of workshops, social activities and continuous education.

COURTESY OF AKRON-CANTON REGIONAL FOODBANK

Visit ybpc.info CORE The Akron-Canton Regional Foodbank’s young professionals group, CORE, engages motivated, energetic young professionals interested in growing their professional network while helping to feed individuals in the community who are struggling with hunger. CORE members meet February through October. Each event consists of volunteering in the Foodbank’s warehouse and networking afterward at a local venue.

Visit akroncantonfoodbank.org/ core.

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COURTESY OF UNITED WAY OF SUMMIT COUNTY

GIVE

The people of Greater Akron are inherently generous.

Akron Community Foundation Akroncf.org

For 63 years, Akron Community Foundation (ACF) has been a trusted way to give to a favorite hey open their hearts and their wallets to others cause through a variety of charitable funds. For instance, in need. It’s an ideal place to be a philanthropist donor-advised fund is an and to work alongside others who share your vision the alternative to establishing a and passion. private foundation. You choose your favorite nonprofit, and Helping an existing foundation such as the Akron office of the the community foundation will John S. and James L. Knight Foundation, the GAR Foundation or make sure your gifts reach your the Medina County Community Fund is a great way to dive right in. targets, whatever and wherever The Akron-Canton Regional Foodbank needs help on all levels, they may be. ACF can also from serving on boards to packing up groceries. The County connect you to like-minded of Summit’s Developmental Disabilities Board, Girl Scouts of neighbors and local nonprofits Northeast Ohio and United Way of Summit County are all waiting in your area of charitable for people like you. The list goes on. interest.

T

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E X P E R IE N C E G RE ATE R AK RO N

COURTESY OF UNITED WAY OF SUMMIT COUNTY

Leadership Akron and Torchbearers

Leadershipakron.org and torchbearersakron.com

Each LA class takes on its own philanthropic project funded by the United Way. This gives members the firsthand experience of evaluating a project and making a grant.

Torchbearers, an independent affiliate of LA, was founded to strengthen the connection between Akron area nonprofits and emerging leaders and to

COURTESY OF SUMMIT DD

Leadership Akron (LA) is a comprehensive resource for jumpstarting connections in Greater Akron. It offers a variety of programming to leaders of different ages and career levels.

Its Insight: AKRON is a program to help relocated executives learn about and get involved in the community.

Empowering People of All Abilities Connecting People with Disabilities to Supports that Fit Their Needs Summit DD believes that the strongest communities are built by the abilities of all people. We’re here to realize the full potential in those we serve, one person at a time and one community at a time.

Learn more at SummitDD.org

SummitDD.org

Empower ad - Brandon & Samantha_Live Pub Experience Greater Akron_2018.indd 1

greaterakroncham ber.o rg 57 8/28/18 12:15 PM

GIVE further efforts to attract and retain young talent. LA and Torchbearers leverage their partnership to identify new ways of enhancing the lives and careers of members and, most important, strengthening the Greater Akron community.

college and career readiness among graduates ¢ Financially empowering Summit County’s working poor families

¢ Raising third grade reading scores for Akron Public School (APS) students

Habitat for Humanity of Summit County

¢ Raising four-year graduation rates among APS high schoolers and increasing

Habitat for Humanity of Summit County (HFHSC) focuses on

bringing people together to build homes, communities and hope along with supporting sustainable and transformational development. In the past 25 years, HFHSC has built 165 homes.

¢ Fighting the opioid crisis by reducing ER visits due to drug Through their homeowners program, deconstruction overdose projects, critical repairs program With a century of experience and ReStore, HFHSC restores United Way of Summit County in Greater Akron, United Way neighborhoods and cares for UWsummit.org can count on the support of people and the environment.

United Way of Summit County partners from across the public, Volunteers are needed to build takes on issues that matter private and nonprofit sectors homes, assist with office work most to children and families by and thousands of volunteers and work in ReStore. focusing on four Bold Goals for eager to create lasting change. the community:

Proof

Posit ive AKRON AREA YMCA

When and where you need US

akronymca.org

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EX P E R IE N C E G R EATE R AK RO N

COURTESY OF AKRON-CANTON REGIONAL FOOD BANK

Hfhsummitcounty.org

International Institute of Akron iiakron.org

The International Institute creates and implements programs that assist the

foreign-born in integrating into society. It also promotes awareness of the value of diversity and international communication. Programs include ESL and citizenship classes, translation and interpreting, reception and placement of new refugees and more. Volunteers help with tasks such as assisting in the classroom and organizing the donation room.

Community Support Services Cssbh.org

Community Support Services offers hope and healthcare to Summit County adults living with mental illnesses.

The agency offers caring mental health services to assist individuals to live the life they desire. Services include psychiatry case management, residential treatment and other supportive measures to assist individuals.

Akron-Canton Regional Foodbank

Akroncantonfoodbank.org

The Akron-Canton Regional Foodbank was formed in 1982 to provide emergency food to our neighbors in need. Today, the Foodbank provides food and other essential items to member hunger-relief programs in eight Northeast Ohio counties. These member programs operate nearly 500 food pantries, hot meal sites, shelters and other hunger-relief programs.

MORE LOVE Greater Akron’s creative givers and embracers enhance the lives of others. Here are some engaging role models:

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Aiden Dine is only 13, but the American Diabetes Association honored the Hudson boy for his fundraising.

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The Akron Marathon Charitable Corp, founded

by Jeannine and Steve Marks in 2003, partners with area nonprofits to raise hundreds of thousands of dollars through the annual Rubber City Race Series.

89

The United Way of Summit County is celebrating its 100th anniversary in 2018. It began in 1918 as a community chest after World War I.

Erin Victor created the nonprofit Akron Snow Muffins for Mammograms Angels to provide homeless is a 26-year-old people with warm clothing, hugs partnership of Cleveland Clinic and conversation.

Akron General, Rubber City Radio Group and Main Street The Goodyear Tire Gourmet. It has raised more & Rubber Co. holds than $1 million to fund annual an annual global week mammograms for thousands of volunteering with its of uninsured or under insured employees—from Akron to women in Greater Akron.

Africa.

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Akron’s Cassie Schumacher rode her bike across country in 12 days to help veterans—and she’s still supporting them through her Wheels4Change.

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The Akron Community Foundation honors an exceptional community supporter each year with the Bert S. Polsky Humanitarian Award. It’s like the Oscar of Greater Akron’s do-gooders.

YOUR DONATION FUELS fun!

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Evan Delahanty’s Peaceful Fruits didn’t win investors when he appeared on Shark Tank in 2017. But the Akron snack company uses sustainable ingredients and employs the disabled, making it a winner in our book.

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Kent State University was founded with a charitable gift, the donation of the 53-acre William S. Kent family farm.

MORE THAN 1 IN 5 CHILDREN IN OUR AREA STRUGGLE WITH HUNGER. YOU CAN HELP. $1 = 4 MEALS Learn more at akroncantonfoodbank.org greaterakroncham ber.org

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PHOTOS COURTESY OF AKRON ROTARY CAMP

COURTESY OF AKRON ZOO

COURTESY OF SUMMIT DD

EMBRACE

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E X P E R IE N C E G R E ATE R AK RO N

Greater Akron embraces people of all abilities.

Akron Zoo: Quiet Spoken Here In 2017, the Akron Zoo became the first zoo in Ohio (and second in the country) to be certified as sensory inclusive

by KultureCity, a nonprofit organization dedicated to creating acceptance and inclusion for all.

For visitors who struggle with autism or stress triggered by crowds, lights and noise, the zoo’s program makes all the difference. Visitors with sensory challenges can check out free sensory bags filled with items to help them reduce stress: fidget toys, noise-cancelling headphones and a card with icons to assist communication.

Calming, weighted lap blankets are also available.

Zoo staff and volunteers have been trained to interact with people with sensory challenges and provide help if needed.

Special areas around the zoo that can become loud and crowded have signs alerting visitors that they are entering a “headphone zone.” Quiet zones and a private room are available when someone needs a break.

County DD Boards The three separate developmental disability boards of Summit, Portage and Medina counties provide services to thousands of people with disabilities and their families.

Although services vary with each board, all three provide lifespan support for people with disabilities to work, live and learn as equal citizens in their communities.

From early interventions for young children to daycare for older adults, the boards oversee well-coordinated,

continuous care. Transportation, residential services, daycare and employment support are available through the boards’ various programs. For families, they offer a guiding hand as they navigate them to the most appropriate services.

For employers, they offer a solution to production and staffing issues. For the entire community, they offer a way to live a richer, more inclusive life.

United Disability Services UDS serves individuals of all ages with all types of disabilities—from the mildest to the most severe.

Here are some of its programs:

¢ The All-Star Training Club, an

integrated, competitive sports program (sanctioned by the Special Olympics).

¢ The Toy and Resource Center, which loans developmental toys and resource materials.

¢The Taste Buds division, a catering service that offers the region tasty boxed lunches and provides employment for the disabled.

¢An employment service that helps

Northeast Ohio businesses reach their production and employment goals.

Akron Rotary Camp The Akron Rotary Camp for Children with Special Needs, in cooperation with the Akron Area YMCA, offers children and adults with disabilities the opportunity to experience all the friendship, fun and excitement of camp.

Day camp, weekend respites, sibling camps and weeklong camps for children and adults take place at the Rotary campgrounds at Rex Lake and at the Happy Day School in Portage County.

Hattie Larlham Hattie Larlham, an independent, nonprofit organization, provides medical, residential, recreational and work training services to children and adults with intellectual and developmental disabilities.

The organization provides 24/7 services to children and young adults at the Hattie Larlham Center in Mantua (Portage County) and to adults in community-based homes throughout Ohio.

The organization provides work training for adults with disabilities at three Hattie’s Doggie Day Care and Boarding locations and through contracted manufacturing services for local businesses.

One of its primary goals is to make the region’s workforce more inclusive.

CADA Akron’s Center for Applied Drama and Autism (CADA) is dedicated to providing theaterbased opportunities for people on the autism spectrum, adults and youth with disabilities and their associated communities.

Using theater games, improvisation, role-playing, character study, mask work and playback theater, CADA encourages individuality.

Creativity and originality are supported through student-created puppet performance, playwriting and video production. Visual art, dance and music are all key components in theatrical productions and give students an opportunity to expand their artistic gifts and interests.

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LEARN

PHOTOS COURTESY OF AKRON PUBLIC SCHOOLS

COURTESY OF LEBRON JAMES FAMILY FOUNDATION

EARLY EDUCATION

North High School CCA

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E X P E R IE N C E G R E ATE R AK RO N

Early Education

T

o ensure a skilled workforce and a strong community, our system of public and private schools, colleges and universities excels at helping our students achieve remarkable things in the classroom, outside it, and beyond.

LeBron and APS Open I PROMISE School

LeBron James has embraced for years.

In July 2018, the I PROMISE School (IPS) in Akron welcomed 240 enthusiastic third- and fourth-graders, the first students in a school as audacious as the man who inspired it.

When James announced he was heading to Los Angeles, one of the first things he did was write to his I PROMISE kids to reassure them.

A partnership between the LeBron James Family Foundation and the Akron Public Schools, IPS is designed to nurture those students at risk of falling behind their peers. Over the next few years, more students at various grade levels will be added until I PROMISE has nearly 1,000 students in grades one through eight by the 2022-23 school year.

The school combines a core curriculum strong in science, technology, engineering and math (STEM) alongside social support inspired by the “We Are Family” philosophy of the foundation. That means students will get what they need to succeed in the classroom while their families get services they need for a supportive, thriving home.

“Akron will always be home,” he wrote. “My commitment to you will only get bigger as we continue to grow together.”

I PROMISE School Fast and Fun Facts

¢ School colors are black, white and gray.

¢ Its media lab is so well equipped, it doubles as the new Akron bureau of Cleveland’s NBC affiliate. ¢ Students are chosen via a lottery from a pool of eligible children. ¢ The walls of its foyer are lined with shoes James wore in NBA games. ¢ It starts each school year at the end of July to stave off the “summer slide.”

¢ Students have an additional hour in school every day called the “illumination period” to use for intervention, enrichment or afterschool activities. ¢ It will have 960 students in grades 1-8 by the 2022-23 school year.

Our Schools Ignite With curricula grounded in the best educational research plus old-fashioned teaching talent, Greater Akron schools give their students everything they need to thrive as happy, successful adults.

Faith-based and all girls; boarding and public—whatever type of school you’re looking for, Greater Akron has it.

Our schools are constantly buzzing with creativity, energy, innovation and successes. Take a look.

Western Reserve Academy in Hudson was named the best private school in Ohio by MSN.com.

PHOTOS COURTESY OF AKRON PUBLIC SCHOOLS

Traditional classes are interspersed with self-development lessons and mentoring to teach qualities such as empathy, goal-setting and responsible decision-making.

All IPS graduates are guaranteed a full scholarship to The University of Akron if they maintain the program’s tenets and academic standards.

The school is part of the APS district and was largely developed by its educators, but it is an outgrowth of the philanthropy that NBA star greaterakroncham ber.o rg

63

LEARN Hudson High School and Aurora High School received gold medals from U.S. News and World Report for being among the 500 best high schools in the nation in 2018.

A new mobile lab packed with Google devices allows students at Kent City Schools to take more than 500 virtual reality field trips—no permission slip necessary.

Firestone Community Learning Center in Akron has an extraordinarily long list of famous alumni. Here are a few names you probably know: ¢ Astronaut Judith Resnick

(Challenger)

¢ Singer Chrissie Hynde (The

Pretenders)

¢ Rockers Pat Carney and Dan

Auerbach (The Black Keys)

¢ Olympic swimmer Mark

COURTESY OF OLD TRAIL SCHOOL

Nearly 20 percent of the class of 2018 at Medina High School was inducted into the National Honor Society.

champion cornerback Dave Brown (Kenmore Garfield).

The Lippman School in Akron boasts a renown crosscultural education, including partnerships with the Northern Cheyenne Nation in Montana and a sister school in Foshan, China. Lippman’s transitional kindergarten (early fives) through eighth grade curriculum includes specialized programs in technology, science, art, and sports. Foreign language begins in kindergarten.

Gangloff (2004, 2008)

¢ Actress Melina Kanakaredes

(CSI)

Other famous Akron Public School alumni include Pulitzer Prize-winning poet Rita Dove (Buchtel), actor John Lithgow (Buchtel), singer James Ingram (East) and Super Bowl X

APS Academies Align Needs of Students and Employers In Fall 2018, Akron Public Schools launched its College and Career Academies (CCA) program, a district-wide effort to align the skills of graduates with the needs of area businesses and

Leader in Cross-Cultural Education

Discover the opportunities for your children ages State of the Art Technology and Transitional through 8th grade.

LeaderKindergarten in Cross-Cultural Education Science Centers

Leader in Cross-Cultural Education Leader in Cross-Cultural Leader inthe Cross-Cultural Sports, Art Programs andEducation State of Technology and Leader in Art Cross-Cultural Education Sports, Art and Music StateScience of the Art Technology State of thePrograms Art Technology and Centers and Education Music Science Centers Science Centers State of theEducation Art Technology and Leader in Cross-Cultural Education Leader in Cross-Cultural Sports, Art Music ProgramsForeign Languages Sports, Artof andthe Musicand Programs Sports, Art andLanguages Music Programs State Art Technology Foreign Science Centers State ofScience the Art Technology and State of the Art Technology and and Centers Foreign Languages Science Centers

Foreign Languages

Foreign Languages Science Centers

Sports, Art and Music Programs Sports, Art and Music Programs 750 White Pond Dr. in Akron thelippmanschool.org Sports, Art and Music Programs Foreign Languages

Foreign Languages

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E X P E R IE N C E G R EATE R AK RO N

Foreign Languages

the broader job market.

The Akron academies were developed with the nonprofit Ford Next Generation Learning, which has helped create academies in several districts across the country. In developing the career-specific academies, APS worked with Ford and ConxusNEO, which tracked regional economic data to identify skills and careers in high demand. Based largely on that data, each school developed two to three academies each with three to five pathways, ranging from biomedical engineering to dance.

The academies program launched at North High School last year.

In the 2018-19 school year, all incoming ninth graders (except Early College High School students) entered into a Freshman Academy to spend a year exploring interests and talents. When they reach 10th grade, the students will join a career-specific academy and pathway.

Small-group learning, education through the lens of a career, and business and community partnerships are the hallmarks of a CCA. For those students who choose to attend college, the CCA Continued on page 67.

ST. SEBASTIAN PARISH SCHOOL St. Sebastian Parish School continues to focus on the directive outlined in its mission statement of “excellence in education and commitment to Christ.” While their Christ-centered approach is their focus, their recent STEM designation from the State of Ohio puts their school at the forefront of education. Students participate in hands-on, inquiry and problem-based learning that is cross-curricular and features collaboration, communication and critical thinking. Students have the opportunity to learn about coding and 3-D printing in the school’s Technology Learning Lab. They have also implemented a new 1:1 Chromebook program that will provide technology to create a personalized learning environment for grades 6-8.

INSPIRING THE CRITICAL THINKERS OF TOMORROW

A STEM Designated School NEW INNOVATION LAB SERVICE LEARNING SCIENCE OLYMPIAD ENRICHMENT ROBOTICS

CHROMEBOOKS POWER OF THE PEN CODING STEWARDSHIP

IPADS STEM EDUCATION 3D PRINTING ...AND MORE!

Outside the classroom, students can participate in many extracurricular activities. The school continues to build its Catholic identity through faith education, celebration of Mass and the Sacraments and through the service of others.

To tour the school and see how the students are flourishing, please call (330) 836-9107 or visit www.stsebastian.org/school.

5 0 0 M U L L AV E N U E 330.836.9107

A K RO N , O H I O 4 4 3 2 0 W W W. S T S E B A S T I A N . O R G

Every day our students hear “good morning” in 47 different languages and dialects.

Programs and opportunities as diverse as our students.

330 . 761.1661

akronschools.com The Akron Board of Education does not unlawfully discriminate on the basis of race, color, religion, national origin, creed or ancestry, age, gender, marital status, or disability in employment or in its educational program and activities.

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OLD TRAIL SCHOOL Old Trail School is an independent, coeducational day school for students age two through grade eight. Located on a beautiful 62-acre campus in Cuyahoga Valley National Park in Bath, the School offers a personal, nurturing and academically challenging liberal arts program to students and families in a five-county region. They are committed to a dynamic environment of academic excellence, service learning and global sustainability. Â Old Trail School develops intellectually curious, independent thinking students who emerge with a passion for discovery, critical thinking and collaborative learning. Graduates are well prepared to become responsible global citizens who achieve in high school, college and life.

St. Hilary School

The Future Begins Here

ENVISIONING | ENGAGING | EMPOWERING

Leading the way to the future through faith and service, traditional and innovative teaching methods, cutting-edge science and technology facilities and equipment, three foreign languages, career exploration courses, enrichment and extracurricular opportunities, and much more.

Serving a range of learners in grades K-8 Over $150,000 in tuition assistance awarded annually 529 plan funds may potentially be used toward tuition

Comprehensive Preparation for a Complex World 645 Moorfield Road, Fairlawn | 330-867-8720, ext. 343 | st-hilaryschool.org

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Today is my day.

Today, anything is possible. __

A toddler through grade eight independent school in the beautiful Cuyahoga Valley National Park.

Call 330.666.1118 or email admission@oldtrail.org to schedule your personal tour.

THE FUTURE BEGINS HERE Serving students in grades K-8, St. Hilary School’s curriculum blends tradition and innovation to challenge and accommodate students of diverse learning abilities. Enhancing the core curriculum are classes in Spanish, French, Chinese, religion, art, music, physical education and technology. Advanced math and enrichment classes are also available.

Students have the opportunity to participate in service projects, competitive academic events, extracurricular activities and sports throughout the school year. A state-of-the-art media center, digital communication lab, iPads, Chromebooks and career elective courses help to provide a cutting-edge learning experience for students.

Guidance, remedial tutoring, speech and hearing therapy, a nurse-staffed clinic, a daily hot lunch program, and extended care are among the amenities offered.

To learn more, please call (330) 867-8720, ext. 343.

Continued from page 64.

curriculum will have prepared them—they’ll attend with more career knowledge than the typical high school graduate.

The Early College High School, which allows students to earn college credits while completing high school, is for those on a firm college track.

COURTESY OF AKRON CHILDREN’S HOSPITAL

The business partnerships are diverse and range from support of entire academies to equipment donation. Metro RTA is giving every academy student a bus pass so they can get to jobs and internships without having to worry about transportation.

Below is a list of the schools, the academies and their corporate partners (where determined).

By school year starting in 2019, all will be fully launched.

Firestone Community Learning Center (CLC)

Kent State University (KSU) Academy of Advanced Technology and Comprehensive Engineering KSU University Academy of Design

KSU Academy of Performing Arts Akron Children’s Hospital Academy of Health and Human Service Academy of Global Technology and Business

East CLC

Bridgestone Academy of Applied Engineering and Technology Academy of Business and Health Services

Buchtel CLC

Academy of Global Industry & Design Academy of Leadership & Innovation Kenmore Garfield High School

ST. HILARY PALS REUNITE AS DOCTORS Dr. Christine Bacha, chief resident at Akron Children’s Hospital, still hangs out with her grade school friends. She can’t help it. She sees them every day at work.

Five current residents at Children’s, including Bacha, are graduates of St. Hilary, a K-8 Catholic school of about 600 students in Fairlawn. Two more St. Hilary alums recently graduated from the hospital’s residency program, making a cozy group of seven out of about 60 residents.

They are the same vintage, ranging in age from their late 20s to early 30s.

“We all knew each other at school. We were in the same class or had siblings in each other’s classes. Our families knew each other,” said Bacha.”

They all went their separate ways after St. Hilary. Bacha went to Walsh Jesuit High School in Cuyahoga Falls, then on to the University of Notre Dame for college and The University of Toledo for medical school.

Academy of Emerging Technology & Design

But now they find themselves back together. They run into each other in the halls and stop to either joke around or seek each other’s opinions.

Ellet High School

When Dr. Nicole Shovlin puts on the mantle of chief resident next year, it will be the fourth consecutive year a St. Hilary grad has had the title.

Academy of Health & Human Services Academy of Applied Engineering Academy of Community Health & Safety Academy of Global Marketing & Media

National Inventors Hall of Fame STEM High School

“It tells you a lot about the Akron area that we all came back home,” said Bacha. “We’re lucky to be able to work at a superb hospital in the hometown we love.”

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LEARN COURTESY OF NEOMED

COURTESY OF THE UNIVERSITY OF AKRON

HIGHER EDUCATION

COURTESY OF STARK STATE COLLEGE

The University of Akron

Stark State College

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E X P E R IE N C E G RE ATE R AK RO N

COURTESY OF KENT STATE UNIVERSITY

NEOMED

Kent State University

Higher Education

T

he University of Akron, Kent State University, NEOMED and Stark State College, all located in Greater Akron, are among the best higher learning institutions in Ohio.

Greater Akron’s two largest universities, The University of Akron (UA) and Kent State University (KSU), have combined enrollments of close to 63,000. These universities interact with the business, industrial and social service communities in many ways— research, special courses, work-study programs, wellness efforts and urban development, among others.

The University of Akron (UA), established in 1870, offers in-demand associate’s, bachelor’s, master’s, doctorate and law degree programs. A

SMART MOVE

2018 study on the economic impact of UA on the Northeast Ohio region showed an overall impact of $2.7 billion in fiscal year 2016/2017 as a result of the University’s presence. Of particular note, UA graduates will have a lifetime return on their investment in their education of almost five times the cost of earning their degree.

UA’s College of Polymer Science and Engineering was the world’s first and remains the nation’s largest and most diverse academic program dedicated to the study of polymers—long chains of molecules that make

up mainly rubbers and plastics.

UA’s College of Engineering has been the producer of a premier workforce pipeline to strengthen the region’s economy. 94 percent of UA College of Engineering graduates have jobs or continue their education within six months of graduation.

The University of Akron’s School of Law continues to receive top rankings for Intellectual Property Law graduates, those seeking a career as a prosecutor or public defender and for students in bar exam preparation.

JOHN GROCE The University of Akron, Head basketball coach Moved from Illinois to Akron in 2017.

Biggest surprise: The Greater Akron area is one of the most unique places my family and I have ever lived. Few communities in the country have endless opportunities for entertainment, shopping, and sporting events all within a 30-minute radius. But more importantly, the region values education with strong public and private school districts and several colleges and universities. And we have advanced world-class medical care.

Day off fun: Our active family enjoys a variety of activities, depending on the season. We frequently go to Blossom Music Center, Akron Civic Theatre, Akron Children’s Museum, Akron Art Museum, Lock 3 and sporting events at The University of Akron.

We love baseball, so in the summer, we would probably go to one of the many great area restaurants like Luigi’s, Dontino’s, Diamond Deli, Spaghetti Warehouse, Bricco or Ken Stewart’s and attend either the Akron RubberDucks or Cleveland Indians ballgames. greaterakroncham ber.org

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LEARN FROM JUNG TO FREUD: UA PSYCHOLOGY MUSEUM SHOWS WHAT IT MEANS TO BE HUMAN The National Museum of Psychology re-opened in late Summer 2018 on The University of Akron’s main campus. It is the only one of its kind in the United States, featuring temporary and permanent exhibits providing visitors hands-on experiences that explore what it means to be human.

In the Science section, visitors discover how psychology became a laboratory science and how it has been used to understand sensation, perception, the brain and animal behavior.

In the Social Change section, visitors learn how psychologists use research to understand the social world and create social change.

Exhibits explore early women psychologists and the study of

gender differences, psychological research on race in the 1950s, changing ideas about human sexuality, and studies of social norms, social roles, obedience and authority.

With eight campuses in Ohio and locations across the globe including New York, China, Italy, Switzerland and India, Kent State helps students find their passion and purpose so that they may shape the world. Kent State is one of the largest university systems in the nation and one of the closest families in the world. With a total enrollment of more than 38,000 students, including more than 1,700 international students from 100 countries, the university offers an environment where pushing limits and freedom of expression thrive.

Kent State’s worldwide alumni family exceeds 245,000.

The museum was designed by Dennis Barrie (Cleveland Rock and Roll Hall of Fame co-creator and director) and his wife, Kathy.

Bragging Rights The University of Akron ¢ Offers an industrial/organizational psychology program routinely ranked in the top 10 in the nation. ¢ Among the top 100 universities worldwide for the number of utility patents issued. ¢ Professors receive grant funding from the National Institutes of Health, the National Science Foundation and others for their work in polymers, biomedical engineering, biomimicry and more.

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COURTESY OF KENT STATE UNIVERSITY

COURTESY OF THE UNIVERSITY OF AKRON

The 8,500-square-foot museum showcases and interprets documents, media and artifacts from more than 700 psychologists and 50 psychological organizations, including original letters of Carl Jung, Harry Houdini, Albert Einstein and Helen Keller; a collection of rare books as far back as 1533; and an assortment of instruments and apparatuses.

Kent State University (KSU), founded in 1910 in Portage County, is a national public research university, continually ranked in the top tier of best national universities by U.S. News & World Report. The Kent Campus is located on the banks of the Cuyahoga River and combines a friendly, smalltown ambience with proximity to metropolitan centers. Kent State offers more than 300 undergraduate and graduate degree programs.

Bragging Rights Kent State University ¢ Kent State’s annual economic impact on the Northeast Ohio region is nearly $3.4 billion. ¢ Home to the Advanced

Materials and Liquid Crystal Institute, the most comprehensive research and educational center in the field of liquid crystals.

¢ Ranks fourth in the U.S.

for Fashion Merchandising and fourth in the U.S. for Fashion Design.

¢ Awarded the national

Healthy Campus Award in 2018, one of only seven colleges and universities nationwide to receive the recognition.

KENT STATE UNIVERSITY’S 10-YEAR MASTER PLAN WILL TRANSFORM THE CAMPUS Kent State University’s Board of Trustees adopted a 10-year facilities master plan in Spring 2018 that embarks on a $1 billion transformation of the Kent Campus to better serve the needs of students and the community. The plan enhances the welcoming feel of the university’s iconic Front Campus, elevates inclusive healthy living-learning environments, links a campus-wide series of spaces focused on innovation and expands the synergy with the City of Kent.

“Everything we do must be through the eyes of our students, both today’s and tomorrow’s,” said Larry Pollock, former chair of the Kent State Board of Trustees. “These enhancements will meet the needs of students for decades by providing them with the engaging, educational space they need to help shape the world. Each phase holds thoughtful enhancements focused on our students first commitment that will also raise the prominence of the university, the City of Kent and all who call this region their home.”

In addition to building improvements and purpose-built classrooms,

SMART MOVE JOHN M. RATHJE Kent State University, Vice President for Information Services and Chief Information Officer Moved from Little Rock, Arkansas to Stow in 2018.

Biggest surprise: The park systems and trails are wonderful. And the people are so friendly. Akron is a big city with a small town feel.

On the cultural climate: The beautiful fashion museum and numerous festivals which bring the community together are impressive.

Tips for newcomers: Greater Akron is a great place to be. Community events are wonderful ways to meet people.

Day off desire: I would enjoy the Cuyahoga Valley National Park and all it has to offer.

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LEARN studios and labs, the plan includes an enhanced walkable campus core with new sidewalks and bike trails and proposes the reimagining of Kent State’s Front Campus to include a signature Main Street gateway to the university.

Anchoring the Main Street gateway is a new College of Business Administration building, additional green space and a modern parking deck to replace current lots near the gateway entrance. New 24/7 maker spaces, multidisciplinary studios and dining will form an innovation hub within the redesigned Art Building to meet student, faculty and staff needs.

COURTESY OF NEOMED

DISCOVER TOGETHER

NEOMED Founded in 1973 to meet Northeast Ohio’s critical need for primary care physicians, Northeast Ohio Medical University (NEOMED) opened its campus in Portage County to its first class in 1977. The inaugural class consisted of 42 students from a Greater Akron consortium of state universities in Northeast Ohio: The University of Akron, Kent State University and Youngstown State University.

PURPOSE. IT'S THAT SENSE OF CALLING THAT TAKES YOU FROM A STUDENT OF LIFE TO A PERSON OF IMPACT. Fundamental in everything we do here at Kent State, it's what powers Golden Flashes on. It's why we keep on. It's what drives us and unites us — not just here on campus but across the nation and around the globe.

With purpose as our guide, we open our minds, uncover new paths and transform the world around us.

PURPOSE.KENT.EDU

KENT STATE UNIVERSITY, KENT STATE AND KSU ARE REGISTERED TRADEMARKS AND MAY NOT BE USED WITHOUT PERMISSION. KENT STATE UNIVERSITY, AN EQUAL OPPORTUNITY, AFFIRMATIVE ACTION EMPLOYER, IS COMMITTED TO ATTAINING EXCELLENCE THROUGH THE RECRUITMENT AND RETENTION OF A DIVERSE WORKFORCE. 18-BRAND-00456-115

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NEOMED has grown to include three colleges of its own (College of Medicine, College of Pharmacy and College of Graduate Studies) and nine higher education partnerships, including its Greater Akron consortium with other colleges and universities. Providing education, research and service, NEOMED improves the health, economy and quality of life of the diverse communities of Northeast Ohio.

The total enrollment consists of nearly 1,000 future medical professionals, most of whom return to live and work in Northeast Ohio.

NEOMED has graduated more than 4,500 medical students— Doctors of Medicine (M.D.),

Bragging Rights Pharmacy (Pharm.D.), Philosophy (Ph.D.) and other health professionals and researchers—more than half of whom practice in Ohio and are now contributing to economic development and providing excellent care to the patients in the region.

NEOMED ¢ Offers six research-focused areas. ¢ Rural Medicine Program enhances students’ medical education by

offering education and training in rural medicine.

¢ In 2018, The College of Pharmacy won several national awards

in the annual Script Your Future Medication Adherence Team Challenge, a competition designed to engage students and faculty to develop creative ideas and initiatives to raise public awareness about the importance of medication adherence.

¢ Pathways to Pharmacy one-week program educates students in

pharmacy compounding, patient counseling, over-the-counter products, vitals training and careers in pharmacy.

The joys of summer camp: making new friends, learning new skills . . . dissecting a human cadaver? NEOMED’s Anatomy Academy, held annually each summer, offers a wholly different type of camp— one where students of all ages can get a hands-on lesson to learn about human anatomy, to get a glimpse of life as a medical student as well as the health professions.

The two-week experience is the brainchild of Dana Peterson, Ph.D., professor of anatomy at NEOMED. Along with other anatomy faculty members and

SMART MOVE

COURTESY OF NEOMED

NEOMED ANATOMY ACADEMY students from NEOMED’s College of Medicine, Dr. Peterson works closely with each student to offer the type of interactive lessons that can’t be found elsewhere.

Some attend to get a better idea if medical school is the right fit for them or if they may have the stomach for law school instead. Others are professionals who are lifelong learners and looking for a new experience.

To learn more about the Anatomy Academy, visit neomed.edu/anatomyacademy.

RYAN PALMER NEOMED, Associate Dean of Medical Education Moved from Portland, OR to Hudson in 2018.

Biggest surprise: There is so much to do here. I look forward to family hikes in the National Park in the summer and skiing in the winter, exploring the Akron Zoo and art scene in Akron and catching a concert at Blossom. I’ve been impressed with the food scene, especially with the emphasis on farm to table.

On the business climate: My wife has her own business and is exploring the Akron entrepreneur scene. Many people are proud to be from this area and understand that attracting new business is key in developing the region’s health and economy. She is looking forward to planting roots and developing her client base here.

Tips for newcomers: Come with an open mind. People really have no idea about this area (outside of LeBron, of course!). Greater Akron’s natural beauty is incredible. greaterakroncham ber.org

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LEARN

More than a quarter of the College’s 15,000 students are from the Akron area. That number has increased since the Fall 2018 opening of Stark State’s 50,000-square-foot, state-of-the-art facility in Akron off Route 8. The site has a convenient downtown location, parking and access from Metro public transportation. Stark State also offers programs and classes to Akron students on White Pond Drive.

COURTESY OF STARK STATE COLLEGE

Stark State College focuses on affordable, quality higher education that propels students to career success or launches them toward advanced degrees. Stark State offers more than 230 associate degrees, and certificates in business, education, engineering technologies, health, human and public services, information technology, liberal arts, mathematics and sciences.

The College also works with business and industry to train a skilled workforce to meet talent pipeline needs.

Bragging Rights Stark State College ¢ Lowest tuition in the area. ¢ Professors with real-world experience. ¢ Small class sizes for one-on-one attention. ¢ Hundreds of scholarship opportunities.

MORE LOVE

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More than 30 institutions of higher education are within a 50-mile radius of Greater Akron.

NEOMED students and lab

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UA’s Zippy and graduate

KSU President Beverly Warren and students

UA’s Polymer Simulation Lab

Kent State University

LEARN TO EARN PAYS OFF Stark State College lives out a core part of its mission: dedication to industry and workforce needs through its new Learn to Earn program. So many industries in Greater Akron are experiencing a shortage of skilled workers, and Stark State College strives to be part of the solution.

Learn to Earn provides high school students the opportunity to earn college credits through Stark State’s College Credit Plus courses aligned with an in-demand field, prepares them to test for an industryrecognized credential and meets the requirements according to the Ohio Department of Education for high school graduation.

Learn to Earn industries include: ¢ Culinary arts

¢ Heating, ventilation, air conditioning and refrigeration

¢ Computer graphic arts/graphic design

¢ Automotive maintenance and

photography

COURTESY OF STARK STATE COLLEGE

light repair

¢ Computer graphic arts/digital

¢ 3G Welding certification exam preparation

¢ Help desk and computer user support

¢ Precision machining and CNC programming

¢ Microsoft applications professional

¢ Emergency medical services

¢ Formatting and office skills

¢ Emergency fire services

And more. For a complete listing and access to the program, visit starkstate.edu/learntoearn.

Stark State is working hard to connect each of these career pathways to local employers who are hiring. Once a student successfully completes the Learn to Earn program, they can apply for entry-level positions in their field or apply for Stark State scholarships and use their free college credits toward a certificate or associate degree.

“My

flexible schedule

at Stark State definitely fits my life.

“

Juancarlos Dejesus nursing, Stark State College Akron

Affordable education for in-demand careers • lowest tuition in the area • quality programs leading to employment and/or university transfer • small class sizes • day and evening classes • faculty with real-world experience • financial aid and scholarships available

Check out your new community college • 360 Perkins St. • starkstate.edu/akron greaterakroncham ber.org

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COURTESY OF NEOMED

NEOMED

Cleveland Clinic Akron General

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COURTESY OF CLEVELAND CLINIC AKRON GENERAL HOSPITAL

COURTESY OF SUMMA HEALTH

CARE Summa Health

Be well and thrive.

O

ur healthcare system includes nationally ranked providers; booming biomedical companies; an innovative medical and pharmacy school; and robust research universities.

COURTESY OF AKRON CHILDREN’S HOSPITAL

SEVEN STORIES OF CONSOLIDATED SERVICES DEDICATED TO PATIENT NEEDS

In late 2018, Akron Children’s Considine Professional Building addition will open to patient families on the Akron campus.

The addition brings together most of Akron Children’s outpatient clinics and programs in one place and allows for the expansion of specialty care services currently located in the Considine Building.

Akron Children’s Hospital was again ranked among the best pediatric hospitals by U.S. News & World Report in 2018, but it’s their compassionate approach to treatment since 1890 that makes the hospital exceptional. To ensure families have convenient access to care, it has two hospital campuses in Northeast Ohio and more than 60 primary, specialty and urgent care locations. The hospital collaborates with many community partners to bring neonatal and pediatric expertise to patients in their healthcare facilities, and its home care and school health nurses treat children in their homes and schools.

Patients and their families will be able to schedule multiple primary and specialty care appointments in the same building, and the new walking bridge connecting the Considine Building with the main hospital building and Kay Jewelers Pavilion will ease navigation around the Akron campus.

The Locust Pediatric Care Group serves as a medical home for children and adolescents. The Group has a unique interest in children with special healthcare needs, international families, foster parents and adopted children.

New Welcome Centers on Levels 2 and 3 allow patients to register for appointments via staffed desks and self-serve kiosks.

To improve the patient-family experience, the addition will also feature the Garden Patch Bistro, lactation rooms, family restrooms with adult-size changing tables and an expanded outpatient lab and new pharmacy. greaterakroncham ber.o rg

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CARE Departments scheduled to move into their new spaces on a floorby-floor basis through 2019 include Pediatric Gastroenterology, Pediatric Surgery, Adolescent Medicine, Locust Pediatric Care Group, Outpatient Lab, Outpatient Pharmacy, Behavioral Health, Dermatology, Genetic Center, Pediatric Rheumatology and the Vision Center.

Bragging Rights Akron Children’s Hospital ¢ Receives over one million patient visits annually.

¢ Focusing exclusively on children, serves children through

quality patient care, education, advocacy, community service and medical research.

¢ Moved 10 departments to its new Considine Professional Building on W. Bowery Street in Fall 2018.

COURTESY OF AKRON CHILDREN’S HOSPITAL

Willie Nelson, therapy pony

SMART MOVE

CHRISTINE CARTER-KENT, M.D. Akron Children’s Hospital, Pediatric Gastroenterologist Moved from Charleston to Akron in 2017.

Biggest surprise: Although I lived in Cleveland previously, I had not spent much time in Akron. I have been surprised by number and variety of community events. Whether you are an artist, a musician, an athlete or a foodie, there is something for everyone here in Akron.

On the healthcare climate: I am a pediatrician at Akron Children’s Hospital.

There is so much support and admiration for the hospital in the community. It is also a pleasure to work at an institution that values and respects the employees at every level.

Tips for newcomers: Explore the area first before you determine where you would like reside. There are so many great neighborhoods in the Greater Akron Area. It was difficult for us to determine where we wanted to live long term.

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This moment brought to you by you.

Caring isn’t just reserved for doctors and nurses. Akron Children’s Hospital is able to improve the lives of children like Miles and Lucianna because of caring people like you. Every gift, regardless of its size, makes a positive impact on our patients.

What moment will you help make possible? Please give at akronchildrens.org/donate.

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Summa Health is a patientcentered population health management organization that provides integrated and coordinated care and a superior experience for Northeast Ohio patients. Summa Health was formed in 1989 with the merger of Akron City and St. Thomas Hospital, and encompasses a network of hospitals, community-based health centers, a health plan, a physician-hospital group, multi-specialty group practice, research and medical education and the Summa Foundation.

There are more than 1,300 licensed inpatient beds on Summa’s campuses: Akron City Hospital, Summa St. Thomas Hospital, Summa Barberton Hospital and Summa Rehab Hospital.

SMART MOVE

COURTESY OF SUMMA HEALTH

CARE

Summa is committed to the principles of population health management, using coordinated, patient-centered care to improve the experience of care for individuals, improve the health of the community and lower the total cost of care.

This is accomplished when a team of clinicians not only work collaboratively in the treatment of the patient, but also in concert with the patient to make real lifestyle changes and implement preventative

healthcare measures.

The transformation to a population health organization has required many changes for the organization; Summa Health is investing $350 million in facility improvements across the system, which will include the construction of a new West Tower at Summa’s Akron Campus, a new medical office building and significant renovations at Summa Barberton.

DR. JOHANNA COOK M.D., Ob/Gyn, Summa Health

DR. RYAN COOK M.D., Psychiatry, Summa Health Moved from WV to Akron in 2017.

Johanna On the healthcare climate: I’m very happy with the way that Summa Health really cares about the patient experience while maintaining high professional standards.

Tips for newcomers: Enjoy the rich cultural experiences that Akron has to offer, including Blossom and the summer theater at Stan Hywet.

Ryan Biggest surprise: The number of quality restaurants, as well as the overall food culture.

Tips for newcomers: Take the time to really explore the area, including its many public parks and events.

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Bragging Rights

SUMMA INVESTS $350M IN SYSTEM, WHILE CREWS TAKE “RITE OF PASSAGE”

Summa Health ¢ Serves more than one million patients throughout its five-county region each year in comprehensive emergency, acute, critical, outpatient and long-term/ home care settings.

Summa Health is investing some $350 million in facility improvements across its system, which will include the construction of a new West Tower at Summa’s Akron Campus, expected to open in July 2019. The tower will serve as Summa’s “front door.”

¢ Is the largest employer in

Every one of the young men and women working on this project has performed a sort of “rite of passage” while on the job: climbing the tower crane step-by-step, hand-by-hand to the top.

¢ Summa Health’s

The project, when all is said and done, will use 41,000 feet of copper pipe, nearly 29,000 feet of steel pipe and 56,300 feet of plastic snow melt pipe.

Summit County, with more than 7,000 employees.

Accountable Care Organization, NewHealth Collaborative, has been recognized for achieving a significant multi-million dollar savings in the CMS Medicare Shared Savings Program for multiple years.

For the seven-story West Tower, Summa employed about 180 tradespeople on the job and in peak days about 250 skilled laborers.

To set the foundation for the new hospital addition, crews had to plow through some 14 feet of solid rock.

Summa is spending more than $70 million in direct labor costs on the West Tower project. At peak construction, it’s spending $8 to $10 million per month. These dollars represent Summa’s commitment to deliver outstanding care and improve the health of the communities they serve.

15 years strong as

ONE OF THE BEST PLACES TO WORK

VITAL

{

For Success.

And More.

in Northeast Ohio At Summa Health, our employees have passion.

For quality. For growth. For a healthier tomorrow.

Join our winning team.

summahealth.org/careers We are an EOE M/F/D/V and Smoke/Drug Free workplace

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CARE Cleveland Clinic Akron General was founded in 1914 as Peoples Hospital. Akron General is a not-for-profit healthcare organization that has continually grown to meet the community’s medical needs.

Akron General’s main campus in downtown Akron is anchored by a 532-registered-bed teaching and research medical center.

COURTESY OF CLEVELAND CLINIC AKRON GENERAL

In addition, Akron General has Health & Wellness Centers in Bath, Green and Stow, offering a variety of integrated outpatient services, including 24-hour emergency departments, primary and specialty care practices, as well as medically supervised exercise programs.

CLEVELAND CLINIC AKRON GENERAL’S NEW ER DESIGNED FOR PATIENT AND ENERGY EFFICIENCIES Cleveland Clinic Akron General’s $49.3 million emergency department, which opened in August 2018, showcases a new level of both patient care and energy conservation.

The new emergency department is located on the first floor of a new, 67,000-square-foot building, connected to the main hospital in downtown Akron. It is triple the size of the old department, with 60 treatment rooms, and was designed to expedite the process from admittance through discharge. A new second-floor bridge connects it to the surgery center at the main hospital. Administrative offices are located on the second floor, along with a 19-bed observation unit that will be used for treatment and evaluation while determining whether a patient needs to be admitted to the hospital. The Level 1 Trauma Center, as designated by the American College of Surgeons, offers the technology, expertise and staffing to treat all injuries regardless of severity.

The building follows new environmentally friendly design practices, including water efficiency, energy efficiency, reduced waste through landfill diversion of construction debris and reduced indoor air pollution through use of low-VOC paints and materials.

The building was designed by Hasenstab Architects and constructed by The Ruhlin Company.

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E X P E R IE N C E G REATE R AK RO N

Hospital president, Brian Harte, M.D., consults with a patient.

Cleveland Clinic Medina Community Hospital, originally the four-bedroom home of the Theodore Weidner family, opened in 1944. Today the hospital is a modern, 171-bed hospital, located on the corridor to the Medina community.

Part of the Cleveland Clinic, the hospital features the latest technology and procedures with more than 600 physicians on the medical staff covering more than 40 areas of specialization.

Cleveland Clinic has invested more than $105 million in

Medina Hospital since it joined the health system in 2009, including new operating rooms, a wound center clinic and other outpatient services, and emergency department.

Bragging Rights

In September 2017, a completely remodeled Intensive Care Unit opened, which features $1.7 million in upgrades, including a new lift system for patients. Each of the 12 ICU patient rooms has been updated with new flooring, ceilings and lighting, and the addition of private bathrooms. Each room is also equipped with eHospital cameras that allow ICU caregivers at Cleveland Clinic’s eHospital command center in Beachwood to monitor patients overnight.

¢ Opened the Cleveland Clinic Medical Outpatient Center in Cuyahoga

SMART MOVE

Cleveland Clinic Akron General ¢ Attained The American Nurses Credentialing Center’s Magnet recognition for second consecutive period, the highest international honor for professional nursing practice.

Falls in 2018, offering express care, dermatology, family medicine, children’s therapy services and lab services.

¢ Opened a new Lodi Community Care Center in 2018 at Lodi Hospital,

a $2.4 million medical office building that features 12 exam rooms for primary care physicians and ambulatory specialists.

Bragging Rights

Cleveland Clinic Medina Hospital ¢ Completed $5.8 million renovation of the emergency department in 2018, including the expansion from 14 to 19 all-private beds, plus three rooms for patients with behavioral health issues, a decontamination unit, and a family lounge.

¢ Projected for late 2018, a $4.1 million renovation of a 15-bed medicalsurgical unit, which will include all private rooms with ample workspace for staff to care for patients with medically and surgically complex needs.

JAYRAM KRISHNAN, DO, MBA Cleveland Clinic Akron General Moved from Las Vegas to Akron in 2017 Biggest surprise: The people are so friendly and approachable! We felt welcomed to the area immediately, and within six months have already felt like it was home. I have lived all over the world, and this is by far the friendliest city that I have lived in.

Day off fun: My two young boys have already fallen in love with the Akron Zoo; we go almost every weekend! We love the Akron Children’s Museum as well.

Our fun days usually end with lunch or dinner in either Montrose or Kent.

On community: We love Hudson. There is so much to do every weekend with festivals, outdoor markets and events in the library. There are similar events in Cuyahoga Falls and Stow. We have the Cuyahoga Valley National Park and Blossom right around the corner. Every weekend, we find a new business or restaurant to try out. We have found so many hidden gems.

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CARE Western Reserve Hospital, based in Cuyahoga Falls, is Northeast Ohio’s only physician-owned hospital, offering a full range of healthcare options and services reinforced by the shared commitment to patient satisfaction and improved healthcare delivery. Owned and operated by physicians in the community, the hospital is committed to providing the safest, highest quality, lowest cost healthcare available, as well as improving the overall health of the communities the hospital serves.

Haley Coleman

CARING FOR A COMMUNITY: NEOMED’S FREE CLINIC CHANGES LIVES OF STUDENTS AND PATIENTS NEOMED College of Medicine and College of Pharmacy students opened the Student Outreach to the Area Residents (SOAR) StudentRun Free Clinic in 2016 to provide complimentary, quality health care to under-served residents of Northeast Ohio. In its first year of operation, 339 student volunteers worked to provide 2,255 hours of medical help.

In 2017, the clinic was named the Free Clinic of the Year by the Ohio Association of Free Clinics.

The clinic is operated by SOAR, a student organization established six years ago by Emily George, M.D. (’13). The clinic offers free primary care, chronic disease management, regular routine care, physical exams, basic labs and prescriptions for medications. Medicine and pharmacy students work together to provide patients interprofessional care under the oversight of university faculty. It’s all about teamwork.

Third-year College of Medicine student Haley Coleman sees the value of pharmacy and medicine students working together to serve patients with highly coordinated care. That opportunity to problem solve is uniquely valuable.

The clinic, located in the NEOMED Education and Wellness (NEW) Center, is open from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. on select Saturdays. For exact hours, contact (330) 552-7080 or clinic@outreachneo.org, or visit neomed.edu.

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E X P E R IE N C E G R EATE R AK RO N

COURTESY OF WESTERN RESERVE HOSPITAL

COURTESY OF NEOMED

Western Reserve also works closely with local

Over the last few years, the hospital has expanded specialty services to meet the region’s increased demand in certain areas such as endocrinology and gastroenterology.

organizations, businesses, schools and first responders to implement effective, farreaching programs for families and children. Over the last few years, it has expanded specialty services to meet the region’s increased demand in certain areas like endocrinology and gastroenterology, and has added staff to its vascular surgery practice to diagnose and treat disease of the arteries and veins.

Western Reserve Hospital has specialty physicians in offices in Summit, Portage and Cuyahoga counties.

Bragging Rights

Western Reserve Hospital ¢ Added two physicians to its endocrinology practice in 2018 to meet the needs of the increasing number of people suffering from diabetes, osteoporosis and endocrine-related issues.

Proudly serving our community for over 20 years!

¢ Added staff to treat

digestive diseases including hernia, gallstones, Crohn’s disease, GERD and ulcers.

¢ Expanded its vascular

surgery practice to diagnose and treat disease of the arteries and veins including aneurysms, peripheral artery disease, deep vein thrombosis, blockages, complications from diabetes, varicose veins, dialysis access and carotid stenosis.

NO INSURANCE? NO PROBLEM! We provide quality, affordable care in: MEDICAL • DENTAL • WOMEN’S HEALTH PHARMACY • BEHAVIORAL HEALTH Medicaid, Medicare and most private insurances are also accepted.

Visit axesspointe.org to find the location nearest you! greaterakroncham ber.o rg

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Akron-Canton Airport

You can get anywhere from here.

W

hether you’re traveling for business or pleasure, across town or around the world, you’ll find the coming and going simple and affordable.

Akron-Canton Airport “Love my airport. Great experience (CAK ) Has Fans! and people. Close to home and It rates 4.5 out of 5 on Facebook friendly.” — Julie P.

“Best airport I’ve flown out of/in to date. Always an easy and hassle free experience.” — Sarah A.

“I have been to many airports. For the combination of size and convenience, no one beats CAK!” — Don H.

“Great airport! Easy to get around and not overly crowded. Very nice facility!” — Kristy S.

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E X P E R IE N C E G RE ATE R AK RO N

“Accessible, efficient, friendly and great flights. Well done CAK.” — Barbara F.

COURTESY OF AKRON-CANTON AIRPORT

TRAVEL

AKR

The Akron Executive Airport (AKR), formerly the Akron Fulton Airport, is on the city’s east side and serves private planes, including corporate jets. The airport includes two runways—6,337 feet and 2,300 feet—and is home to 15 hangars for corporate aircraft and 75 planes housed in condo hangars. The airport can support 70 planes a day.

AKR is undergoing a strategic rebranding. Part of the effort includes promoting existing tenants, including the services of fixed-base operator Summit Air, a concierge for airplane maintenance, and flight school American Wings. Meanwhile, Stark State College is planning to establish a commercial driver’s school on seven acres of airport land. Students will graduate with a Commercial Driver’s License.

Amtrak has lines/stops in Cleveland and Alliance (just southeast of Canton) for passenger and cargo transit.

COURTESY OF METRO RTA

CLE Cleveland Hopkins International Airport—about 35 miles northwest of Akron—offers about 140 nonstop departures to more than 35 markets.

It serves about 9 million passengers each year and is the busiest airport in Ohio. It is easily reached from Akron via the interstate.

You can text to find when the next bus is leaving from your stop, you can watch your bus moving on an e-map, download the MyStop app or sign up for alerts.

On weekdays, METRO has bright purple buses (with the Dash logo) running in a loop from its transit center, through downtown Akron, to The University of Akron and back.

The service is free.

Greyhound Bus Lines operates out of the same transit center on Broadway as METRO. It includes a café, an ATM and a community room.

MORE LOVE

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The Akron-Canton Airport has everything a huge airport has except hassles and headaches.

American, Spirit, United and Delta airlines fly to the major hubs across the country. And the airport has the lowest fares in the region, often the state.

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We’re a gateway to everywhere. Greater Akron is within 500 miles of 42 major cities. That means manageable family road trips and quick weekend getaways.

Our central location allows businesses to move their products with ease and speed.

There are 15 other smaller airfields in Greater Akron to serve private pilots and passengers.

Public Transit Akron Metropolitan Regional Transit Authority, known as METRO, transports nearly six million passengers a year. Its home base is the Robert K. Pfaff Transit Center on South Broadway Street downtown.

Real-time tracking on any mobile device allows riders to keep a close eye on their bus.

An online tool for smart, simple commuting.

Visit gohiocommute.com greaterakroncham ber.o rg

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Perkins Stone Mansion

Stan Hywet Hall & Gardens

Greater Akron was once home to Native Americans.

T

ribes portaged between lakes and rivers on paths you’ll find well marked today.

Its lush resources drew white settlers from Connecticut to what became known as the Western Reserve. When the area became a key stop on the Ohio and Erie Canal, it developed into a center of trade, entrepreneurship and innovation, a heritage that remains to this day.

Many key historic sites in the region’s history remain preserved and open to the public.

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EX P E R IE N C E G R EATE R AK RO N

PHOTOS COURTESY OF SUMMIT COUNTY HISTORICAL SOCIETY

COURTESY OF STAN HYWET

HONOR

COURTESY OF HALE FARM AND VILLAGE

The property’s Gate Lodge is the site of the first meeting of Dr. Bob Smith and Bill Wilson, founders of Alcoholics Anonymous.

Hale Farm and Village Hale Farm and Village in Bath Township is an outdoor living history museum. The 1810 homestead of one of the area’s first white settlers, Connecticut farmer Jonathan Hale, is now the site of an interactive attraction that preserves and interprets the culture of the daily 19th century life.

Stan Hywet Hall & Gardens Like the Vanderbilt’s Biltmore Estate, Stan Hywet Hall & Gardens stands as an example of the American Country Estate period when Industrial Age barons built their extravagant mansions. The Manor House, constructed in 1912-15, is in the Tudor Revival style. Renowned American landscape architect Warren Manning designed the extensive gardens. The English garden was redesigned in 1929 by pioneering female landscape architect Ellen Biddle Shipman,

COURTESY OF STAN HYWET HALL & GARDENS

Stan Hywet’s Great Room

The 65-room home, historic gardens on 70 acres, a 5,000-square-foot Playgarden and the Corbin Conservatory are open to the public. Guided tours are available. USA Today called it the best historic home tour in America.

Stan Hywet hosts events throughout the year, including Ohio Mart, an outdoor marketplace with Elizabethan flair, and Deck the Hall, one of the largest light experiences in Ohio.

Perkins Stone Mansion and John Brown House Colonel Simon Perkins, Jr., the son of Akron’s founder, built a Greek revival home in west Akron in 1837 that is known today as the Perkins Stone Mansion. It is open for self-guided and full-guided tours from April to December.

Across the street from the mansion is the 1830s home of abolitionist John Brown, who helped touch off the Civil War with his raid on Harper’s Ferry. Perkins farmed 1,300 head of Merino sheep with Brown’s assistance. (Perkins hired expert shepherd Brown to tend the flock.) The home thus earned the nickname Mutton Hill. The John Brown house is undergoing extensive renovations and is currently closed to the public.

Lowrie-Beatty Museum Ravenna’s John Lowrie and Mary Helen Beatty Museum sits on the grounds of the Portage County Historical

Society. It showcases the area’s history from the days of Native Americans to modern life. In additions to the museum, the grounds contain several other historic structures and displays.

The society’s collection includes: ¢ A horse-drawn hearse ¢ An 1810 Yankee barn ¢ The 1835 Greek Revival Salmon Carter House ¢ An early 19th century outhouse ¢ Surgical instruments from the 18th and 19th centuries

Medina Medina’s Public Square district is a picturesque preservation of a small town on the Western Reserve. Although Medina is one of the fastest growing areas in Greater Akron, its leaders have worked hard to maintain its late 19th century character.

COURTESY OF MAIN STREET MEDINA

and is one of the only Shipman gardens open to the public.

Main Street Medina

The city is celebrating its 200th birthday in 2018, but the current public square dates only to the 1870s. On the night of April 14, 1870, fire destroyed dozens of wooden buildings on the square. City leaders met the next morning and decided to rebuild Medina—out of brick.

These Victorian era commercial buildings and those that came soon after give Medina’s square its unique historic character.

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LIVE Hudson’s Main Street

Firestone Park

COURTESY OF TESTA COMPANIES

Northside Lofts

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E X P E R IE N C E G R E ATE R AK RO N

Find Your Little Corner of Contentment.

B

oth Trulia and Forbes magazine have called Greater Akron one of the most affordable communities for families.

town feel, voted against ever annexing land from adjacent townships.

We’re big . . . but not too big.

You’re welcome here. You can shine here. It’s a place to discover your best you.

There are so many amazing places to live in Greater Akron. Here is a sampling that represents both a geographical and economic range. For a more detailed list, visit https://issuu. com/lpcpub/docs/relo14_4issuu

Medina County

One of the fastest growing and wealthiest counties in Ohio, Medina is situated between Akron and Cleveland. It has three small cities scattered among 18 rural townships.

Medina The City Council, wanting to maintain its quaint, small-

Population 27,000

has some of area’s wealthiest homeowners. Its charming Sharon Center circle hosts frequent concerts and other events.

Median Home Value: $184,700

Population 4,200

Born there: Bobby Rahal, racecar driver

Median Home Value: $305,800

Wadsworth A rapidly growing city, its population increased nearly 9 percent from 2010-2017.

Population: 23,500

Hinckley Township Home of the beautiful Hinckley Reservation park with its ledges, the township motto is “Small Town, Big Hearts.”

Median Home Value: $162,300

Population 7,800.

Check out: The five-day Blue Tip Festival every June

Median Home Value: $298,300

Known for: Space to breathe

Brunswick The largest and most northern city in Medina County draws people who work in Akron and Cleveland.

Population: 35,000 Median Home Value: $159,400 Born There: Natalie Sideserf of Texas Cake House

Sharon Township Once vast farmland, Sharon

Check out: The return of the buzzards every March

Portage County

Portage County makes up eastern portion of the Greater Akron area. It is a diverse county with two college towns, a medical school, working farms and small cities. It’s traversed by two east-west interstates (I-80 and I-76), which makes it a convenient area for many commuters and businesses.

COST OF LIVING INDEX Composite 100%

Grocery Items 132.95%

Housing 28.99%

Utilities 9.9%

Transportation 11.98%

Healthcare 4.07%

Misc. Goods/ Services 31.99%

AKRON OH

97.0

103.0

89.3

96.5

118.4

87.5

96.7

Los Angeles CA

145.3

111.8

235.8

108.0

110.2

105.4

110.1

Washington DC Arlington VA

156.6

111.3

258.1

114.2

100.7

100.0

126.0

Chicago IL

121.5

100.5

155.8

92.7

123.9

101.1

112.3

Boston MA

149.8

110.8

216.0

121.3

114.3

135.1

130.6

New York (Manhattan) NY

238.3

144.0

503.4

119.6

122.8

113.2

140.6

Portland OR

130.1

112.1

179.8

87.4

120.8

109.1

114.1

San Francisco CA

190.0

130.8

344.6

125.7

135.2

127.3

128.8

Seattle WA

152.2

128.2

210.1

111.9

133.5

121.1

135.2

Madison WI

104.7

105.2

109.0

98.7

100.6

119.2

101.9

Dallas TX

105.1

102.4

105.9

104.3

99.6

103.7

107.4

To use the index, compare one city’s index figure as a percentage of another’s. Three or fewer index points do not indicate statistically significant differences.

US Average = 100%. Source: The Council for Community and Economic Research (C2ER) 2nd Qtr. 2018

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LIVE

Each of Akron’s neighborhoods has its own flavor, culture and needs.

That’s why the City of Akron has launched its Great Streets initiative designed to support the business districts in 10 very different Akron neighborhoods. Through matching grants, microloans, design assistance and specialized studies, the city is focused on increasing community engagement and business development. It also promotes safer neighborhoods and aims to improve aesthetics and transportation in those districts.

Kayaking under Haymarket Bridge

Kent It’s home to the main campus of Kent State University, so the city has the quirky vibe of a college town with a great music scene and plenty to do.

Population 29,915 Median Home Value $139,900 Insider info: The city is home to the Davey Tree Expert Co., hence Kent’s nickname of “The Tree City.”

Welcome to Akron's Historic North and Howard District Mustill Store

NoHo

Cascade Lofts, Trailhead & Lock 15

Cascade Park

BLUzone

••Weddings ••Special Events ••Brewery ••Restaurant ••Loft Living

Summit County

Akron Downtown—Central city living is becoming the first choice of not only millennials and students but also empty nesters looking to leave suburbia behind.

Average Home Value: $120,067 Insider info: A century ago, Northside was a red light district.

Ellet—This area of Akron has blue-collar roots, but in recent Ravenna years has attracted more The seat of Portage County, white-collar professionals with Ravenna’s business base is a mix families. of light industry, retail and small Average Home Value: $106,895 businesses.

Population: 11,553 Median Home Value: $99,980 Check Out: The annual Balloon-A-Fair

Towpath Trail

COURTESY OF MAIN ST. KENT

AKRON’S GREAT STREETS SUPPORTS CITY NEIGHBORHOODS

Aurora This affluent area is both in Akron and Cleveland’s orbit, so commuting is convenient.

Population: 15,982 Median Home Value: $241,800 Born there: Actress Ann Heche

Happy distraction: Strickland’s Frozen Custard on Triplett Boulevard

Merriman Hills—Stately homes built mainly in the 1920s for tire company executives still grace this affluent section.

Average Home Value: $261,094 Insider info: Portage Path was briefly the western boundary of the U.S.

Highland Square—Known as the artsiest neighborhood, it’s where singles easily mix comfortably with families. Nearly 60 percent are renters.

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E X P E R IE N C E G RE ATE R AK RO N

Average Home Value: $121,385 Happy distractions: Mary Coyle

Tallmadge Fireworks

ice cream, Angel Falls coffee and Mustard Seed Market

Fairlawn Heights—An affluent corner of Akron so named because it sits on a hill overlooking West Market Street near the city of Fairlawn.

Average Home Value: $236,400 Happy distraction: Westside Bakery

Firestone Park—Harvey Firestone designed this stable community in 1915 for employees of his Firestone Tire & Rubber Co. and their families.

Average Home Value: $102,585 Insider info: The park at its heart is in the shape of the Firestone shield.

SMALL CITY.

BIG IMPACT. We invite you to become part of our charming, historic community offering an exceptional quality of life for our residents, excellent educational system and vibrant business community.

THE CITY OF

TALLMADGE TALLM ADGE h H i ss t o r y m Mo ov v ii n ng g fF o or rw wa ar d

tallmadge-ohio.org

MORE LOVE

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Kenmore, once strictly blue collar, is now home to seven recording studios, two guitar shops, live music venues such as The Rialto Theatre and the steel drum manufacturer Panyard Inc.

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Only one in 10,000 squirrels is black— except in Portage County’s Kent where they abound.

The precise population is unknown, but they’ve multiplied like crazy since 1961 when 10 of the squirrels were imported from Canada and let loose on the Kent State University campus. greaterakroncham ber.o rg

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LIVE

Knight Foundation’s Inside Outside Neighborhood program

Barberton is known for a few things, including chicken restaurants, Lake Anna and its “magic city” nickname. But one thing colors its whole image: purple. No subtle shade is this.

Barberton’s purple is electric and high energy–just like its people.

Why purple is not a mystery.

Purple and white are the colors of Barberton High School. But the extreme to which Barberton residents will go to show their pride is breathtaking. Clothing, signs, vehicles and even homes sport purple in hometown honor.

The city even tried to dye Lake Anna purple.

Barberton, a city of about 26,000, has always been passionate about its own identity. It was founded and planned by industrialist O.C. Barber in 1890. And by 1893, its skyrocketing population earned it the “magic city” label.

Alas, life hasn’t always been kind to Barberton. The city was devastated in the 1970s and ’80s by the loss of manufacturing. But today, the commercial base has stabilized; there are new jobs in education, health and technology. The sale of Barberton Citizen Hospital in 1996 left the city with $75 million to spare, so it formed the Barberton Community Foundation. That money is being put to strategic and visible use. The city has seen multi-million dollar investments in schools, infrastructure and parks.

Downtown is shining, thanks to the renovation of the Magical Theatre, art galleries, farmers markets and more. And the mortgage on the city’s high school will be paid off soon, putting more money in community coffers.

Bring on the purple.

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E X P E R IE N C E G R EATE R AK RO N

Goodyear Heights—Like Firestone Park, this family neighborhood in east Akron began in 1912 as a planned community to house workers at the nearby Goodyear Tire & Rubber Co. Average Home Value: $82,182 Just cool: HistoricGoodyearHeights. com

Sherbondy Hill—Once called Lane-Wooster, the neighborhood recently was renamed to honor one of Akron’s founding families.

Average Home Value: $75,914 Insider info: Sherbondy Hill Cemetery dates to 1907.

Green—Halfway between Akron and Canton in southern Summit County, Green has been transformed from farmland into upper middle-class suburbs Population: 25,747 Medina Home Value $173,600 Just weird: Green has no unique zip code. It shares with Akron, Uniontown, Norton Canton and Clinton.

Hudson—Hudson has the feel of an upscale New England town and has preserved its history as a settlement of the Western Reserve.

Population: 22,245 Median Home Value: $313,300

Barberton MumFest

Happy Distraction: The Learned Owl, a unique, independent bookstore on Main Street.

Tallmadge—The infamous Tallmadge Circle, with eight radiating roads, represents the influence of early New England town planning on Northeast Ohio.

Population 17,552 Median Home Value: $156,400 Home to: The Summit County Fairgrounds

Twinsburg—Halfway between Cleveland and Akron, Twinsburg is an unusual mix of a strong industrial base and a suburban vibe.

Population: 18,959 Median Home Value: $210,100 Sneak peak: Founding twins Moses and Aaron Wilcox were said to have had that weird twin telepathy thing.

COURTESY OF CITY OF BARBERTON

COURTESY OF CITY OF BARBERTON

IN BARBERTON, PURPLE REIGNS.

About these numbers:

MORE LOVE

Figures for Akron, including average home values, are taken from the City of Akron’s Neighborhood Fact Sheet,

Downtown Digs Are Going Up Akron’s Bowery Project is redeveloping six buildings near Lock 4 into 100 apartments and retail space.

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which is based on U.S. government numbers and surveys. Figures outside of

Partners: Welty Building Company and DeHoff Development Company

Akron, including median home values, are from the U.S. Census Bureau’s 2017

Completion: 2019

estimates.

97 98

The BLU-tique Hotel project on Main Street is converting the former United Building into a 71-room boutique hotel.

Opening: Early 2019 The former Akron City Center Hotel is being converted into more than 100 apartments.

Cascade Lofts

PHOTO BY DOMINIC LUDICIANI

Developer: Testa Companies Completion: 2018 Testa is also currently adding new units to its existing Northside Lofts development in the Northside district.

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New York-based Capital Realty Group bought the former Mayflower Manor apartments with plans to spend $10 million on renovations in 2019.

PAINTING. QUALITY.

PAINTING. PEACE OF MIND. PAINTING. QUALITY. PAINTING. QUALITY.

PEACE MIND. QUALITY. PEACE OF OF MIND. PEACE OF MIND.

Everyone has a role to play in helping to build our community, making Barberton an even better place to live now and for generations to come. Our role is to help you and improve the quality of life for the citizens of Barberton.

The Barberton Community Foundation connects potential donors — and their charitable interests and resources — with local needs.

All of the assets gifted to the Foundation remain in the community and will have a direct and lasting impact in Barberton for generations to come.

Contact CertaPro Painters® of Akron/Canton today for your ® of Akron/Canton today for your Contact CertaPro Painters FREE estimate! ® Contact CertaPro Painters of Akron/Canton today for your estimate! today for your Contact CertaPro Painters®FREE of Akron/Canton FREE estimate!

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330.499.1200 | akron.certapro.com

330.499.1200 | akron.certapro.com 330.499.1200 330.499.1200 || akron.certapro.com akron.certapro.com

Each CertaPro Painters® business is independently owned and operated. Lic# 000000 Each CertaPro Painters business is independently owned and operated. Lic# 000000

® EachEach CertaPro Painters ownedand andoperated. operated.Lic#Lic# 000000 ®® CertaPro Paintersbusiness businessisisindependently independently owned 000000

460 W. Paige Avenue | Barberton, OH 44203 | 330-745-5995

PAINTING IS PERSONAL. greaterakroncham ber.org

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INDEX OF ADVERTISERS

DOES YOUR DUMPSTER NEED A DIET?

AAA Akron . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 27

ReWorks can help your business “trim its waste” by finding other options for your discarded materials. Contact us for a free materials management consultation. We’re Summit County’s Solid Waste Management Authority.

Akron Art Museum . . . . . . . . . . . . . 35 Akron-Canton Regional Foodbank . . . . 59 Akron Children’s Hospital . . . . . . . . . 79 Akron Children’s Museum . . . . . . . . . 35 Akron Civic Theatre . . . . . . . . . . . . 35 Akron Public Schools . . . . . . . . . . . 65

Call us for a free business materials management consultation at 330-374-0383.

Akron-Summit County Public Library . . 35 Akron YMCA . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 58

summitreworks.com | 330.374.0383

Akron Zoo . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 25 AxessPointe . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 85

ReWorks_Akron-Chamber_Ad_Final.indd 1

Barberton Community Foundation . . . . 95

7/13/18 2:56 PM

Bounce . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 49 Better Business Bureau . . . . . . . . . . 52 BLU-tique/ BLU Jazz+/BLU Plate . . . . .17 Canal Place . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1 Cascade Lofts, Lock 15, The Trailhead . . 92 Certa Pro Painters . . . . . . . . . . . . . 95 City of Tallmadge . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 93 Cleveland Clinic Akron General . . . . . . 11 Dominion Energy . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 96 Don Drumm Studios & Gallery . . . . . . 23 Downtown Akron Partnership . . . . . . . 35 Gohio . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 87 Greater Akron Chamber . . . . . . . . . . 13 Kent State University . . . . . . . . . . . . 72 Lippman School . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 64 Live Publishing Company . . . . . . . . . 85 Lock 3 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 35

Going the distance for our communities.

Metis Construction Services . . . . . . . . 53

At Dominion Energy Ohio, going the distance for our customers means more than just delivering safe, affordable natural gas. It means being a positive force in the communities we serve. Our EnergyShare ® program has raised $7.8 million and helped more than 82,000 people in Ohio alone.

These resources, combined with more than 6,100 volunteer hours from our employees, have benefited organizations as diverse as the American Red Cross, the Boy Scouts of America, the Ohio & Erie Canalway Coalition and The Salvation Army.

Stan Hywet Hall & Gardens . . . . . . . . .41

NEOMED . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3 Northside District . . . . . Inside Front Cover The Ohio Light Opera . . . . . . . . . . . .41 Old Trail School . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 66 Presper Financial Architects . . . . . . . .51

Stark State College . . . . . . . . . . . . . 75 State Farm Insurance . . . . . . . . . . . 52 St. Hilary School . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 66 St. Sebastian Parish School . . . . . . . . 65 Summa Health . . . . 81, Inside Back Cover Summit DD . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 57 Summit Business Connection . . . . . . . 51 Summit Reworks . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 96 The University of Akron . . . . . Back Cover WKSU . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .12

96

E X P E R IE N C E G R EATE R AK RO N

Millions of

PRIMARY CARE visits and

COUNTING.

Betty, Patient

We can’t promise you’ll live to be 93 like Betty. But with a Summa Primary Care Physician by your side, we can’t say you won’t either. Whether you’re age 93 or 19, regular visits with your Summa Health primary care doctor can help you live a longer, healthier and fuller life.

summahealth.org/vitalforprevention • 888.656.5228

VITAL

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For 93 Reasons.

And counting.

CONNECT The University of Akron is about CONNECTIONS to a COMMUNITY, to the CITY and in the WORLD. It’s about making an IMPACT and becoming THE NEXT BIG THING.

THAT’S WHAT MAKES US.

@uakron

@uakron

uakron.edu