Council President Blaine A. Griffin Receives Outstanding Public Official Award from Ohio Restaurant Association For Advocacy Work for Restaurants and Small Businesses  

Council President Blaine A. Griffin Receives Outstanding Public Official Award from Ohio Restaurant Association For Advocacy Work for Restaurants and Small Businesses  

Cleveland, Ohio (November 20, 2022) – The Ohio Restaurant Association (ORA) named Council President Blaine A. Griffin as the recipient of their 2022 Outstanding Public Official Award. The award is presented annually to a public official who advocates for the best interest of small business owners and the restaurant, food service & hospitality community.

Council President Griffin is a staunch advocate for small businesses – particularly Cleveland based small businesses. During the COVID-19 pandemic, the City of Cleveland committed nearly $3 million in funding to keep small businesses in the restaurant sector thriving. Griffin, first as Ward 6 Councilman, and then as City Council President was a leading proponent for providing that assistance to the small Cleveland-based businesses.

Griffin did more than advocate for funding to support the restaurants. A Temple University study estimated the February 2022 NBA All-Star Weekend held in Cleveland pumped nearly $250 million into the region’s economy. Council President Griffin was a leader in fighting for small businesses, bars, and restaurants to have extended hours during the festivities, recognizing the event was a once-in-a-generation opportunity for Cleveland’s businesses – and that the city’s small businesses needed additional financial support to rebound from the COVID-19 pandemic.

Council President Griffin is humbled to have earned recognition from the Ohio Restaurant Association. In discussing the honor, he stated, “My highest priority is producing for the people of the city of Cleveland. I will continue working for our restaurants, our businesses, and most importantly our people to deliver results. I owe a debt of gratitude to my Council colleagues because they stand with me every day in working for Cleveland.”

Council President Griffin will receive the award at the Ohio Restaurant Association’s (ORA) Industry Awards Celebration, presented by Gordon Food Service, on December 6, 2022, at The Estate at New Albany, near Columbus.