History

Geauga Growth Partnership was established as a private economic development nonprofit partnership, inspired by nearby Ashtabula Growth Partnership and Greater Cleveland Partnership.

It was during a Geauga Economic Leadership (GEL) breakfast meeting at Kent State University Geauga Campus in November 2008, when guest speaker Joe Mayernick, executive director of Growth Partnership of Ashtabula County, caught the attention of area business leaders. Feeling the impact on Geauga businesses from the 2008 economic recession, 25 business and civic leaders met that day to strategize creating a nonprofit that could help Geauga businesses thrive.

Some of the players in the room that day were Frank Samuel, who had been Science and Technology Advisor to the Governor of Ohio from 2000-2007, Geauga County Commissioner Tracy Jemison, Middlefield Bank VP Jay Giles, then University Hospital Geauga Medical Center President Richard Frenchie and others who had a vision for a county-wide business-led economic development organization.

Funded by a start-up grant from the Cleveland Foundation Lake-Geauga Fund, Geauga Growth Partnership was founded in 2010. The goal was to set up programs and processes to enable business growth and prosperity, building upon the County’s remarkable assets. The vision: Leading Business Growth in Geauga County.

Mission

Geauga Growth Partnership’s mission is to enhance the economic climate in Geauga County by attracting new business, supporting existing businesses, and preparing the workforce of the future.

Leadership

Geauga Growth Partnership is governed by a volunteer Board of Directors composed of Geauga County business owners, executives and community leaders.