Cleveland's Comeback Offers Stark Lessons for Seattle's Future

CLEVELAND, Ohio — As Seattle stands at a critical juncture, navigating the transition from the software era to the age of artificial intelligence, a recent fact-finding mission to Cleveland by GeekWire contributing columnist Charles Fitzgerald and journalist John Cook has unveiled potent lessons from a city that knows economic transformation firsthand.

The visit, prompted by Fitzgerald’s provocative column warning Seattle not to become “the next Cleveland,” and a subsequent invitation from Cleveland Mayor Justin Bibb, aimed to glean insights from a Rust Belt city’s dramatic rise, fall, and ongoing rebirth. The overarching takeaway: Cleveland’s collaborative spirit and lessons learned offer a blueprint for Seattle to proactively shape its future.

A century ago, Cleveland was a booming industrial powerhouse, by 1920 ranking as the fifth-largest U.S. metropolis. Its success was driven by manufacturing, immigration, and relentless innovation. Yet, a swift economic shift led to job losses and corporate relocations, plunging the city into decades of decline. Today, Cleveland presents a story of resilience, with business, civic, and public leaders working in concert, embodying an “all in” mentality.

Voices from Cleveland: Advice for the Emerald City

East Cleveland Mayor Sandra Morgan emphasized the importance of appreciating growth, even if chaotic, noting her city’s ongoing struggle to fully recover after a dramatic downturn that took 50 years to begin righting. She advised Seattle to count its blessings, despite the challenges that come with expansion.

Ohio Governor Mike DeWine highlighted the state’s focus on workforce development, announcing a $300 million program. He championed Ohio’s quality of life and lower cost of living, pointing to major companies like Anduril, Joby, and Sherwin-Williams investing in the state as a testament to the Midwest’s burgeoning opportunities.

Cleveland Mayor Justin Bibb stressed the dual role of urban leadership: mastering fundamental city governance—like public safety and infrastructure—while simultaneously crafting a compelling vision for the city’s future. He urged leaders to ensure their city’s “value proposition is sticky and compelling” for residents and businesses.

Cuyahoga County Executive Chris Ronayne advocated for nurturing organic growth and investing in existing community strengths rather than solely pursuing large corporate relocations. He highlighted immigration as a crucial driver of population growth and emphasized the vital role of small businesses as a city’s true economic lifeblood, rather than relying solely on Fortune 500 headquarters.

John Nottingham, co-founder of the innovation lab Nottingham Spirk, delivered a stark warning: appreciate entrepreneurs. He cited John D. Rockefeller’s departure from Cleveland due to local resentment, drawing a parallel to current trends of prominent tech leaders leaving Seattle. This suggests that a city's success can breed a hostile environment if not managed carefully.

Developer Brad Whitehead of the Good Jobs Fund cautioned against complacency, a mistake Cleveland made by assuming reinvention would happen automatically. He warned Seattle not to assume that “the next thing” will simply emerge, stressing that corporate headquarters don't guarantee local jobs if production moves elsewhere.

Michelle Tomallo, co-founder of FIT Technologies, reinforced this, advising vigilance against a narrowed vision that can come with grand success. She urged leaders to anticipate future shifts rather than resting on past achievements.

Josh Rosen of Sustainable Community Associates pointed to Seattle’s “concentration risk,” its reliance on a few companies within one sector. He advocated for building an interdependent ecosystem among all stakeholders to prepare for economic shifts, noting how quickly real estate values can be impacted.

Yvette Ittu, President and CEO of Cleveland Development Advisors, emphasized that collaboration across business, civic, and public sectors is “imperative” for any community initiative. Connectivity, communication, and collective effort are key to achieving shared goals.

Nathan Kelly, president of Playhouse Square Real Estate, underscored the foundational importance of safety, both real and perceived. He detailed efforts to enhance public safety through consistent lighting, vibrant aesthetics, coordinated patrols, and addressing human service needs as crucial for urban vitality.

Chris Adams, President and CEO of Park Place Technologies, criticized Cleveland’s past slow response to change, blaming bureaucracy and overconfidence. He advised Seattle to avoid looking in the rearview mirror, warning that long-term booms can foster a dangerous overconfidence that leads to missing impending challenges.

Baiju Shah, President and CEO of the Greater Cleveland Partnership, articulated the “All In” strategy: a shared 10-year economic vision that aligns business and public leadership behind common priorities. This collective commitment, he asserted, is vital for regional progress.

Finally, Freddy Collier, Senior Vice President of Strategy and New Initiatives at the Greater Cleveland Partnership, highlighted Cleveland's inherent resilience. He advised investing in “unifiers” and “equalizers” like natural assets—waterfronts, rivers, and trails—that connect people across all walks of life, fostering a sense of community amidst change.

Implications for Seattle

The collective wisdom from Cleveland's leaders paints a clear picture for Seattle: proactive, collaborative leadership is paramount. To navigate its own inflection point, Seattle must cultivate strong inter-sector partnerships, prioritize core civic functions and public safety, foster its entrepreneurial ecosystem, avoid complacency, and build a unified, forward-looking economic vision that embraces all stakeholders. The coming GeekWire Podcast, recorded from Cleveland, promises further insights into these crucial lessons.

FAQ

Q: Why did GeekWire visit Cleveland to discuss Seattle's future?

A: Seattle is facing an economic inflection point with the rise of AI, prompting concerns about its future stability. Cleveland's historical trajectory—from a booming industrial hub to a struggling city and now a revitalized one—offers valuable lessons and warnings that could apply to Seattle's path forward.

Q: What were the main pieces of advice Cleveland leaders offered Seattle?

A: Key advice included fostering strong collaboration between business, civic, and public sectors; supporting organic growth and small businesses over chasing corporate giants; prioritizing public safety and basic city governance; appreciating entrepreneurs; avoiding complacency despite past successes; and building a unified, forward-looking economic vision for the region.

Q: What is Cleveland's "All In" strategy?

A: "All In" is a 10-year economic vision orchestrated by the Greater Cleveland Partnership, aiming to align business and public leadership behind shared priorities to drive the region's comeback. It emphasizes concerted effort and collective commitment from all stakeholders.