Ronayne calls for a "welcoming" Cuyahoga County
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Cuyahoga County Executive Chris Ronayne used his third State of the County address Thursday to cast the region as a community defined by hospitality, one that opens its arms to visitors, immigrants and those most in need.
Why it matters: "Whether it's a steady stream of conventions or welcoming a record number of lake cruise ships to the Cleveland harborfront, our best trait as Cuyahogans is that we welcome all to our region," Ronayne said in prepared remarks.
State of play: Ronayne touted the success of the Cuyahoga County Welcome Center, which opened last year and has already connected 10,000 newcomers to jobs and housing.
- He also praised the work of the county council, which recently became the first Ohio county to ban hair discrimination by passing the Crown Act.
- And he pointed to upcoming major events like the 2030 Special Olympics as proof of a regional identity rooted in openness.
Threat level: Ronayne also warned of looming economic hardship tied to federal cuts to SNAP and Medicaid, which threaten to hit thousands of low-income families.
What he said: "We are going to have to fight draconian cuts to our kids, our families, and our seniors as if we are in COVID all over again, and we are going to have to apply our best selves with the kindness of Cuyahogans."
To coordinate local responses, Ronayne announced the Cuyahoga Hunger Response Team, which will work to educate residents and reduce food insecurity.
- He urged state and federal partners to protect vulnerable families as benefits decline.
Zoom in: Ronayne celebrated a number of recent county projects:
- Central Services Campus: Construction is expected to begin in early 2026 on a new jail complex that Ronayne sees as a more humane evolution of the current Justice Center.
- Office of Small Business: The county's new office has distributed nearly $2 million in loans and provided training and technical help to thousands of local entrepreneurs.
- Department of Housing and Community Development: Using $5.5 million in federal grants, the department helped create 445 affordable housing units and new developments for seniors, veterans and mothers in treatment.
- Real estate assessment funds: The county returned $35 million in excess funds to cities, schools, and other taxing authorities, the largest amount ever returned in the county.
The last word: During the Q&A portion, Ronayne was asked about the Browns' move to Brook Park and how leaders should move past what has been a divisive episode in local politics.
- Ronayne said that while he did not agree with the Browns' move, he is committed to getting back on the same page with the team and the Greater Cleveland Partnership.
- "We need to get back on the horse," he said. "Honorable people can agree to disagree."