Highland Heights May Conduct Study to Help Attract Business

needs a self-assessment tool to determine what can be done to spur economic development, according to Councilman Frank Legan.

A few months ago, he proposed conducting an economic development self-assessment through the National League of Cities and the Dukakis Center for Urban and Regional Policy at Northeastern University. Council members wondered if there was a local entity that could conduct a similar study, so Legan contacted Mohr Partners, which recently addressed city council.

Whichever direction the city chooses, the city's Economic Development Committee would like to have something done, Legan said.

"They'd like us to move forward with one or the other, sooner than later," he said.

Dennis Burnside of Mohr Partners told council at Tuesday's Committee of the Whole meeting that the first phase of an economic development self-assessment would cost between $5,000 and $7,000.

He said the study would analyze current conditions such as demographics, work force, real estate market, infrastructure and see how Highland Heights collaborates within the region.

"We'll give an objective opinion on how you work with business and make recommendations on where you can improve," Burnside said.

He said a second phase would use the assessment to focus on areas needing attention and develop an overall marketing strategy. The entire package would cost from $20,000 to $25,000.

Burnside said Mohr Partners, which works closely with Cleveland State University on quantitative research, has worked with Team NEO, Shaker Heights, Cleveland and hundreds of communities of all sizes.

Mayor Scott Coleman said he favored the idea of an economic development self-assessment.

"I think we need a self-assessment tool to see how we stack up against other communities," he said.

Councilwoman Cathy Murphy said the city has a vacant business park and needs to do something to fill it.

Burnside said his company would talk to real estate experts, look at competing business parks and their size, cost and proximity to Highland Heights, and determine what can be done.