Message from the Director

What is the role of the Department of
Economic Development?

It's to help companies and entrepreneurs
do business in Middleburg Heights.

It's to help preserve jobs and create opportunities for future economic growth
in the community.

It's to maintain a business-friendly
atmosphere by:

• Supporting programs that help retain and expand existing businesses in the City
• Creating networking opportunities among Middleburg Heights businesses
• Helping businesses through the review and approval phases of development and expansion projects
• Encouraging the development and/or repurposing of the city's industrial and commercial districts to ensure its continued economic health
• Participating in community development programs to maintain quality housing stock and a diverse economic base

Of course, Middleburg Heights already offers much to the potential business owner: excellent location, superb city services and progressive zoning policies. Not to mention a responsive and established administration whose efforts make it easier to do business here.

If you have a business in our city, or are looking to establish one, we'd like to meet you.

Please contact me personally. Mayor Gary Starr and I are ready to help with any issues that may affect your success and satisfaction here
in Middleburg Heights.

Sincerely,
Charles Bichara
Director of Economic Development
(440) 234-8811

Economic Development Department Awards and Items of Note

• Economic Development Impact Award, 2007 - from Team NEO and Inside Business Magazine
• Economic Development Impact Awards Certificate of Recognition for Business Retention, 2008 - from Team NEO and Inside Business Magazine
• Distinguished Member of the Year Award, 2009 - presented to Charles Bichara by the Berea City Schools Business Advisory Council
• Wall Street Journal article "Take the Money and Don't Run" featured Charles Bichara,
  June 11, 2007
• Economic development book, Reining in the Competition for Capital, featured quote from Mayor Gary W. Starr and Charles Bichara on its back cover, 2007 (W.E. Upjohn Institute)
  
  

Some of the forms and documents accessible in the Economic Development section are in PDF Format. If you don't have the FREE Adobe Acrobat Reader, just click on the button below.