Cleveland City Council Hosts Signing for Community Benefits Ordinance Memorandum of Understanding

Cleveland City Council Hosts Signing for Community Benefits Ordinance Memorandum of Understanding 

Cleveland, OH (March 18, 2024) - Cleveland City Council is committed to improving living and working conditions for all of Cleveland. In that spirit, Council will host the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) regarding the city’s recently passed Community Benefits Ordinance (CBO). 

The MOU is a partnership between City Council, the Administration, developers, labor, educators, community organizations, and construction partners to reach targeted goals in the hiring of women and minority-owned firms, and Cleveland-based businesses. The MOU partners commit to working together collectively and collaboratively to achieve the goals of the CBO. The CBO requires that developers receiving financial incentives and support from the City of Cleveland provide real and tangible benefits to our neighborhoods. The benefits will be influenced by residents in the impacted communities. For large projects, the benefits will have a city-wide focus.   

A recent review by the city of Cleveland revealed that over the past four years, minority-owned and female-owned businesses lost out on nearly $14 million in wealth creation on city projects and development. Additionally, from 2014 to 2018, only 4.62% of $1.1 billion in Cuyahoga County prime contract spending was awarded to minority and women-owned businesses. 

Council President Blaine A. Griffin stated, “The signing of this Memorandum of Understanding cements Council’s commitment to ensure our residents have a voice in the development of our city, and our neighborhoods and see real and tangible benefits from new projects. The ordinance also provides accountability, predictability, and flexibility to businesses and developers looking to work in Cleveland.” 

Mayor Justin M. Bibb stated, “The Memorandum of Understanding represents our city’s commitment to putting Cleveland residents to work in good-paying jobs, and promoting the growth of Cleveland-based, minority-owned, and female-owned businesses. When we invest in and promote Cleveland residents, our entire region benefits.” 

Who: City Council President Blaine A. Griffin, Mayor Justin Bibb, educators, businesses, and developers 

What: Signing of the Community Benefits Ordinance Memorandum of Understanding  

When: Tuesday, March 19, 11:00 am 

Where: Cleveland City Hall Rotunda 

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