In 1996, Cleveland faced a critical question: Why were industrial companies leaving the city? The answer was not simple, but it became clear that the city’s manufacturing sector was in decline, and immediate action was needed. To address this challenge, the Cleveland Industrial Retention Initiative (CIRI) was born. CIRI's mission was to understand the needs of the manufacturing community and help retain industrial businesses in Cleveland, preserving jobs and contributing to the city’s economic vitality. The program was modeled after the work of the Westside Industrial Retention and Expansion Network (WIRE-Net), seeking to expand the good work being done beyond the City’s westside.
Over the years, CIRI developed lasting relationships with manufacturers, government agencies, community leaders, and service providers. These partnerships formed the foundation of the program’s success and helped drive meaningful changes in Cleveland's manufacturing landscape.
As CIRI continued to support the city’s manufacturers, it became clear that a deeper level of support was needed. In 2007, CIRI began working with the Cleveland Economic Development Department to enhance the services available to local manufacturers. This collaboration allowed CIRI to expand its reach and services, positioning it as an integral part of Cleveland’s economic ecosystem.
In time, CIRI became a program of the City of Cleveland, and in a full-circle moment, was entrusted to the management of WIRE-Net. The partnership was a natural fit. The CIRI program bolstered the organization’s expanding mission to strengthen manufacturing throughout the region. In turn, Manufacturing Works' expertise in workforce development and its deep connections within the manufacturing sector allowed CIRI to enhance the support it provided to Cleveland’s businesses.
Manufacturing Works brought a unique approach rooted in personal connections to managing CIRI. The team’s dedication to building strong relationships within the manufacturing community became the cornerstone of the program's success. It would have been easier to just manage businesses from afar, but that's not the Manufacturing Works way. They visited the businesses, spoke directly to the owners and employees, and listened to their needs. This approach helped remove obstacles, provided tailored solutions, and connected manufacturers to the right resources whether in local government or through specialized service providers.
The impact of these efforts was profound. Manufacturers could count on Manufacturing Works as a trusted partner that addressed their immediate needs and was truly invested in their long-term success. This close, hands-on relationship was invaluable and contributed greatly to the resilience of Cleveland’s manufacturing sector.
While Manufacturing Works will no longer manage CIRI due to the loss of funding from the city, the legacy of CIRI lives on in the relationships and collaborations built over three decades. The work that CIRI began thirty years ago laid the groundwork for the continued strength and sustainability of Cleveland’s manufacturing industry, and we remain committed to this mission.
Thank you to all those who contributed to CIRI’s success over the years. From the manufacturers who trusted us to the local government partners, to the dedicated team members... your work has made a lasting impact on Cleveland. As we move forward, we will carry the lessons and the spirit of CIRI with us and continue to support the manufacturing community in new and meaningful ways.
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