Local resilience in the face of widespread adversity was the theme of Summit County Executive Ilene Shapiro’s lunchtime speech at Wednesday’s State of the County address.
Shapiro, the three-term leader of the county government, urged a ballroom packed with politicians, public workers, civic leaders, business people and other community members at the John S. Knight Center to collaborate to fill in the gaps left by “dramatic cuts” in federal and state funding.
“We don’t pretend that the road ahead will be easy,” Shapiro said. “The climate that we are living in and the challenges we are facing — economic, social, political and environmental — are real, and at some times, can be overwhelming.”
But, she said, “Progress comes from people like you, who show up every day with a willingness to listen, to serve, to lead, to learn and to face headwinds — both those that are real today and those that will come — with vision and determination.”
In the annual speech organized by the Akron Press Club, Shapiro highlighted the good, the bad and her hopes for the county.
What did Shapiro highlight as the county’s achievements?
Shapiro highlighted a number of achievements, including:
- The polymer industry in Akron, with millions of dollars invested into the Polymer Industry Cluster, the hiring of former Bridgestone executive Hans Dorfi as the organization’s executive director, advancements at the University of Akron and increased job training in the industry.
- The county’s Business Retention and Expansion program, which “focuses on and builds relationships with primarily medium- and large-sized businesses.”
- Advancements in the county’s Building Standards Division that make building inspections and regulations more efficient.
- The OhioMeansJobs Center, “Summit County’s one-stop workforce hub.”
- Advancement in the sewer system infrastructure in New Franklin, Copley, Boston Township, Boston Heights, Hudson and Peninsula: “These projects may not grab headlines, but they are a foundational piece of growth.”
- The “economic development ecosystem” with government and private sector collaboration.
- Akron being named an All-American City.
- Programs to remove lead from homes.
- The Housing Research Collaborative’s “feasible, impactful and sustainable” recommendations for housing in Summit County.
- Workforce development programs for young people, like the BOSS Youth Program.
- The Unite Us program to connect people with healthcare resources.
- The future “Summit Health and Safety Innovation Fund.”
- The launch of the “Trauma-Informed Care” initiative.
- Expungement programs hosted by the Summit County prosecutor and clerk of courts.
- Advancements in the Summit Emergency Communication Center.
- Improvements to the Summit County Jail.
- The county’s “Open Finance” portal, which is designed to provide transparency in public spending.
- The Summit County Board of Elections’ move to a new building that will allow for more convenient in-person early voting and easier access for those with disabilities.
The challenges, Shapiro said, include:
- “Significant headwinds from shifting priorities and dramatic cuts at the state and federal levels.”
- The potential loss of grants from the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development.
- Cuts to federal SNAP benefits.
- “Unprecendented” cuts to Medicaid that will have a “ripple effect” throughout the community.
- The state legislature “considering damaging and potentially devastating options” about property taxes and school funding.
Shapiro’s hopes include:
- That the public sector, nonprofits, philanthropic and business communities “work together to support individuals at risk” of losing Medicaid coverage.
- That voters approve Issue 2, intended to stabilize property tax revenue, on the Nov. 4 ballot.
- That “we must control our own destiny to the best of our ability. Let’s keep moving forward, navigating these headwinds together. Let’s keep striving for a future that reflects the best of who we are and the best of what we can become.”
