City Seeks Leaders For Entrepreneur In Residence Program

In Lakewood, small business is big business. The offices and storefronts featured in our commercial corridors are the perfect spot for entrepreneurs and growing businesses. Lakewood’s population density and young demographics make our city rich with home-based businesses bursting at the seams.

While the city has a number of programs to attract and grow businesses, it wants to assist businesses that are still at the idea stage. To grow Lakewood’s base of entrepreneurs and demonstrate a commitment to growing business, the city is proposing an Entrepreneur in Residence program.

In partnership with the Chamber of Commerce, Pillars and LakewoodAlive, the city is committing to offering a stipend-funded Entrepreneur in Residence (EIR), and looking for proposals for programs, organizations and especially individuals who are willing to commit their time and resources to like-minded entrepreneurs to help build business from the ground up – in Lakewood.

The successful EIR will be an individual or organization that will assist Lakewood residents and businesses in helping to bring ideas to the marketplace. The EIR will provide counsel on business planning, conducting due diligence and cultivating financial resources. Assisted by the EIR’s community partners, the EIR will be responsible for identifying and attracting participating entrepreneurs, emphasizing students and second-career professionals to EIR programming.

Help spread the word. The city is soliciting proposals and resumes through noon on Friday, August 27th. Just like all entrepreneurial ventures, this might not work. Without the right people, the project can’t succeed. Please send email, proposals and questions to planning@lakewoodoh.net. The RFP is available online at www.onelakewood.com or contact 216.529.6635. Snail mail can be sent to:

Planning and Development
Attention: Entrepreneur in Residence
12650 Detroit Avenue
Lakewood, Ohio 44107