Cuyahoga County launches Office of Small Business

Cuyahoga County Executive Chris Ronayne announced May 3 the creation of the Cuyahoga County Office of Small Business, according to a news release.

The new office within the Department of Development will offer personalized assistance and guidance to small business owners, ensuring they receive the support needed to navigate the business landscape, the release said.

“The success of small businesses is integral to the growth of our workforce and economic sustainability of our region,” said Cuyahoga County Executive Chris Ronayne in the release. “Cuyahoga County established the Office of Small Business to make it easier for small business owners to access resources and strengthen their networks.

“The Office aims to attract more entrepreneurs to the area and tap into the abundant opportunities in our cities and neighborhoods.”

Cuyahoga County is home to over 30,000 small businesses, employing close to 300,000 residents with an annualized payroll of close to $18 billion, according to the release.

The Office of Small Business will foster connections and collaborations between businesses and various stakeholders in the county, including local chambers of commerce, trade associations and industry leaders, the release said.

The Office of Small Business will serve as a one-stop shop for business owners to grow their networks, increase their workforce, find pathways to financial opportunities, seek educational services, and lean into peer support resources.

“Within the Department of Development, we recognized a critical need for resources devoted to supporting small businesses and entrepreneurs,” said Vaughn Johnson, deputy director for economic development, in the release. “The new Office of Small Business will proactively address strategies for improving initiatives to enhance the experience of owning a small business in Cuyahoga County.”

Working with key organizations, the office can connect new businesses to key resources, including capital opportunities, as well as procurement and contracting services, the release said.