The City of Cleveland has shaken up its Integrated Development team, a move that Mayor Justin M. Bibb argues is set to boost industrial might and breathe new life into local neighborhoods. Tom McNair steps in as the new Chief of Integrated Development, taking the baton from Jeff Epstein who's set to become the President and CEO at the Port of Cleveland. McNair is tasked with overseeing the Economic Development, Planning, Building and Housing, and Community Development departments, with an eye on making sure they're pulling in the same direction.
Meanwhile, Joevrose Bourdeau Small is getting a promotion to the big chair of Director of Economic Development, a role designed to more closely guide the city's business-friendly goals and workforce strategy. "These transitions reflect not only the strength of our team, but the strength of our city," Mayor Bibb stated, as obtained by the City of Cleveland official website. Tom and Joevrose are expected to lead the charge in Mayor Bibb's Cleveland ERA economic agenda, which prioritizes a union of community engagement and economic opportunity.
The leadership overhaul comes on the heels of Epstein's tenure, where he managed a hefty $175 million in ARPA funds and steered initiatives like the Shore-to-Core-to-Shore TIF strategy and the city's off-site construction housing pilot. According to Mayor Bibb, Epstein's efforts have been instrumental in setting the stage for neighborhood growth and enhancing Cleveland's waterfronts. In his new role at the Port, Epstein will continue to influence the city's economic tide.
McNair's reputation is buoyed by a history of helping reduce retail vacancy rates and catalyzing massive investment in Ohio City. Since August 2023, he's been actively pushing a $50 million Site Readiness for Good Jobs Fund, meant to directly transform available land into job-generating machines. Looking to tie the city's illustrious lakefront to its urban lifeblood, McNair's influence has also been felt in the South East Side, driving both infrastructure upgrades and the area's economic pulse.
Bourdeau Small takes over the reins of Economic Development with a resume that includes a stint as an Equal Opportunity Specialist at the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development, and a previous role within the City of Boston's planning and development agency. She wields an approach that is equally measured in in-depth technical knowledge and a desire for equitable business growth across Cleveland's diverse fabric. Her initiatives have streamlined the entrepreneurial process in the city and aligned local business needs with both federal assistance and philanthropic support.
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