The Downtown Cleveland Alliance (DCA) has tapped business development veteran Michael Deemer as director of its new Business Center, the focus of DCA’s initiative to draw more business to downtown Cleveland.
“Michael is exactly what downtown needs for this role. He brings years of experience in development and comes to us from the governor’s office, where he was integral to helping drive the state’s economic policy,” said Joseph Marinucci, DCA president and chief executive officer. “Now is an important time as more than $2 billion in development is underway in Cleveland. Momentum is building like the city hasn’t seen in years. Michael and the business center are key components in DCA’s $1 million annual business attraction and marketing program, which will foster even greater vibrancy in the city center.”
In his new role as DCA’s director of business development and legal services, Deemer will serve as the lead point person for the Business Center, which will proactively help companies of all sizes and industries understand the advantages of a downtown Cleveland address. Businesses will be able to rely on Deemer and his team to be their contact to navigate site selection, government approvals and available incentives, as well as provide market research and key connections to the business community and legal services.
Deemer joins DCA from the Ohio governor’s office, where as executive economic development policy advisor, he advised the governor, senior staff and cabinet directors on policy and legal matters related to the governor’s economic policy agenda, including the implementation of the Department of Development’s strategic plan and $1.8 billion biennial budget.
