Civil Municipal - Oct 2023

164 CIVIL AND MUNICIPAL VOLUME 4, ISSUE 10 programs for in-demand jobs. Painter serves on its adult workforce advisory board to help connect curriculum matches with employers’ needs. Plus, Cuyahoga Community College is another valuable partner, as are Cleveland State, Case Western Reserve, and Walsh universities. “We’re about to break ground on a brand-new Strongsville Town Center Initiative,” Painter reveals, citing a massive project scheduled to come to fruition next year. “We’re increasing the walkability and creating new amenities at the center of our town that will benefit our residents but also the employees that can go and utilize the space.” From new walking paths to a community pavilion, a new splash pad, pickleball courts, and handicapped-accessible playgrounds to a whole new area for food trucks, festivals, and band concerts, this exciting new place will feature a lot. This is just another example, says Painter, of sure we are working with our local companies.” Taking a responsive, active approach, working in partnership with the local chamber of commerce, is key, says Painter. Then there’s workforce development. The Polaris Career Center is the local vocational school that does all kinds of different training