With over 300 in attendance, it was a packed house for LCDC’s 2024 Economic Forum – hosted at Regovich Catering on Tuesday, September 10th! Drawing this significant crowd in was the Opening Speaker, Dr. Sunil Ahuja, President of Lakeland Community College and the Presenting Speaker, Dr. Ted C. Jones, Real Estate Economist.
LCDC Director, Sarah Bals and Board President, Tim Flenner gave a welcome and thank you to the event and member sponsors. Board members Dean Tsengas and Rita Soeder then introduced the 62 high school and college students in the room whose attendance was partially funded by sponsorship from Lakeland Community College. Participating schools were Perry, Riverside, Harvey, Madison, Willoughby – Northern Career Institute, Mentor – Lakeshore Compact, Auburn Career Center, Lake Erie College, and Lakeland Community College.
The mic was passed to Executive Assistant, Caitlin Cole, and Board Secretary, Judy Moran, to introduce the 2024 Economic Development Grant winners – Beyond The Toybox Event Styling and Candoren Guest House.
Flenner then introduced the Opening Speaker, Dr. Ahuja. His presentation covered the Themes, Baselines, and Future of Lakeland Community College. In his closing thoughts he emphasized that Lakeland will be 60 in 2027 and the college’s goal is to be Resilient, Responsive, and Relevant.
Presenting Speaker, Dr. Jones was introduced by LCDC Board President, Tim Flenner. Dr. Jones has been the presenting speaker for the Economic Forum for over 8 years and is highly anticipated for his experience, knowledge, and witty humor sprinkled throughout his speeches. This year was no different as he kept the room thoroughly engaged. “Over the Edge” was this year’s theme, with some of the main concerns for the upcoming year including sustained high interest rates, capital market freeze, and regulatory issues relating to political outcomes. Dr. Jones emphasized commercial and residential growth is happening more in areas such as Lake County, or “small-town America”. His closing remarks gave a reminder that creativity is the key for answers to repurposing commercial real estate spaces.
The Economic Forum is an annual breakfast, one of two larger events that the Lake County Development Council hosts. LCDC’s mission is to raise awareness of economic issues and initiate a process to address problems and opportunities impacting Lake County business conditions. Become a member today!
