Beachwood Joins 42 Communities in Anti-Poaching Protocol

Beachwood became the 43rd community to sign off on the Cuyahoga County Business Attraction and Anti-Poaching Protocol Monday.

unanimously approved the measure to sign the agreement. By signing, the city agreed not to luring businesses located in other Cuyahoga County communities to Beachwood. There are 16 communities in the county have not agreed to the protocol, which was proposed in June of 2011 and finalized in September of 2011, including Bedford Heights, Mayfield Heights, Warrensville Heights and Chagrin Falls.

Shaker Heights and Cleveland Heights have signed. 

A few council members voiced concern over a clause in the agreement that states that, when a business moves from one Cuyahoga County community to another, the two communities will "have a discussion about the possibility of a revenue sharing agreement."

"Beachwood offers good services for businesses, said Councilman Martin Horwitz. "I don't think we should have to share our revenue."

The protocol does not require that the communities enter into an agreement.

From the clause:

"Without making any commitment to revenue share and noting that some signatories do not favor revenue sharing, we will agree to have a discussion about the possibility of a revenue sharing agreement with the mayor, manager, or trustees of the affected home community if asked by those officials."

Ed Jerse, the Cuyahoga County Director of Regional Collaboration, attended the meeting and told council that some communities insisted on the clause, and some said that they would not sign it if it were not included, so the final version is a compromise.

The agreement does not include penalties for commuities who break it, and they can opt out at any time, said Jerse. "It's to send a signal to the business community that the communities of Cuyahoga County want to work together in promoting economic development in the county," said Jerse. 

The communities who sign are more likely to get a peice of a $100 million economic development fund.