Smart Business Magazine, June 2017

4 Smart Business Akron Canton June 2017 ADAM BURROUGHS EDITORS NOTE Rubber City renaissance More people are invested in returning Akron to prominence Our Uniquely article explores Goodyear Hall and Theater thanks to the tact Diana Wellman principal at the preservation consulting firm NaylorWellman took when she put together the application to the National Register of Historic Places for the U S Department of the Interior In it she tied the physical building to the thinking that inspired it that of corporate welfare It was interesting to learn about the tactic Goodyears Superintendent Paul Litchfield applied learn about his philosophy and see how it positioned Goodyear as a leader that helped establish the welfare capitalist movement across the U S Michael Considine is also drawing from the citys history reviving the 93 year old NORKA soda brand After discovering the long dissolved soda brand by happenstance he used his experience in the beverage industry to revive it In a short time he was able to get the soda back on the shelves of a retailer that sold the brand decades ago before he took it national which has also brought the story of its Akron roots across the country Back at home columnist and Director of Planning and Urban Development for the City of Akron Jason Segedy also recalls Akrons rapid population expansion in the early 20th century due largely to its connection to the canal and later the success of the rubber businesses His story takes a dour turn however as it traces our timeline to the future where population has been in decline which has had negative consequences for its housing stock He offers a solution in this months column The Rubber City has had a history of success that got sidetracked Fortunately with many dedicated people living and working in the Greater Akron Area today theres reason to expect a bounce back The folks from Akron who Ive had the privilege to talk with have all in their own way conveyed a sense of pride in Akrons progress There seems to be a unique sense of place thats being created by their efforts Many from the city like being affiliated with the rubber manufacturing giants that catapulted it to national relevance decades ago which arguably made a greater contribution to its prominence than its connection to the canal system This month I had a chance to explore its connection to one of the biggest names in that sector Goodyear ADAM BURROUGHS Associate Editor Smart Business Akron Canton Adam is interested in the people and businesses making a difference in Akron Canton 440 250 7062 aburroughs@ sbnonline com www sbnonline com Smart Business Akron Canton 835 Sharon Drive Suite 200 Cleveland OH 44145 O 8009884726 F 4402507001 Smart Business Magazine Events PUBLISHER CHIEF OPERATING OFFICER Dustin S Klein GENERAL MANAGER John Lotenero VICE PRESIDENT OF SALES Katie Janoch Janet K Valore VICE PRESIDENT OF BUSINESS DEVELOPMENT Somer Karim Joanna Reese SENIOR EDITOR April Grasso SENIOR ASSOCIATE EDITOR Mark Scott ASSOCIATE EDITOR Jayne Gest PRODUCTION MANAGER Mary Kay Bukowski CREATIVE DIRECTOR Jim Mericsko DIGITAL MEDIA MANAGER Adam Burroughs PROJECT MANAGER EVENTS Danielle Catteau SALES MANAGER EVENTS Meredith Rankin SALES EXECUTIVE EVENTS Lisa Walker AUDIENCE DEVELOPMENT Tammy Frank Smart Business Magazine Events are a division of Smart Business Network Inc PRESIDENT CEO Fred Koury MANAGING PARTNER CONVERO Lee Koury MANAGING PARTNER CONVERO Michael Marzec CONTROLLER Kathy Deutsch EXECUTIVE ASSISTANT OFFICE ADMINISTRATOR Jill Brown ACCOUNTS RECEIVABLE ACCOUNTS PAYABLE Marilyn Homolak Smart Business Magazines Akron Canton Chicago Cincinnati Cleveland Columbus Florida Houston Los Angeles Northern California Orange County Philadelphia Pittsburgh St Louis Smart Business Akron Canton is published monthly by Smart Business Network Inc 835 Sharon Drive Suite 200 Cleveland OH 44145 All material herein is property of Smart Business Network Inc and may not be reproduced Smart Business and Smart Business Network are registered trademarks of Smart Business Network Inc SMART BUSINESS