CLEVELAND, Ohio, June 6, 2012 – Team Northeast Ohio (Team NEO) and Cleveland State University's Maxine Goodman Levin College of Urban Affairs today announced an expanded alliance to enhance the region's economic development research capabilities and knowledge. As part of this joint effort, Daila Shimek, of the Next Generation Economy Center of the Levin College, will act as managing director of Team NEO's research department.

"With our new role as the JobsOhio regional partner, Team NEO has taken on a broader scope of activities," said Team NEO CEO Tom Waltermire. "Having access to the extensive knowledge and deep skill sets of the Levin College of Urban Affairs will allow us to do more in-depth industry analysis, which will strengthen our ability to attract businesses and help existing industries grow."

"The Levin College of Urban Affairs will benefit from Team NEO's close ties to private industry," said Edward W. (Ned) Hill, dean and professor, Maxine Goodman Levin College of Urban Affairs. "This partnership provides our research team with direct insights into the needs and priorities of local, national and global businesses. Both organizations will benefit through cross training and sharing of industry specific resources, tools and knowledge. The results will not only benefit the economic development efforts of our region and state but also will enhance our teaching and provide opportunities for CSU's students."

He added, "Daila Shimek is one of our most experienced research leaders with expertise in the delivery of shared services by public organizations. Daila has a unique opportunity to practice what she preaches in melding the research strengths of Team NEO and the Levin College."

Shimek has more than two decades of experience in the fields of public administration, planning, public finance, and applied research and analyses. Prior to her employment at Cleveland State, she was a planner and analyst with the firm Bramhall Engineering and Surveying in Avon, OH. She holds a Master of Public Administration degree from Cleveland State University and a Bachelor of Science degree from Saint Louis University.

"Daila's experience and expertise will complement our existing staff and help us effectively leverage the talent and capabilities of the Levin College," said Jay Foran, senior vice president, Business Attraction, for Team NEO. "It will enable us to be more proactive to the business community and respond faster to requests from potential leads and our economic development partners."

In 2011, Team NEO was appointed the Northeast Ohio regional partner for the state's JobsOhio program. In addition to marketing the region and attracting new businesses, Team NEO's focus has expanded to facilitating the development of a regional strategy, increasing collaboration among the region's key economic development groups and connecting companies to the state's growth and job creation incentives.

About Team NEO
Team NEO advances Northeast Ohio's economy by serving as the 18-county region's private-sector economic development hub. It builds collaboration among the region's economic development organizations, attracts new businesses from around the world and connects the region to the state's JobsOhio program. Since 2007, the organization has attracted 56 new company operations, almost 5,400 new jobs and more than $192 million in annual payroll to Northeast Ohio, leading to a total annual regional payroll benefit of $333+ million. www.clevelandplusbusiness.com/About-Team-NEO.aspx

About the Maxine Goodman Levin College of Urban Affairs
The Maxine Goodman Levin College of Urban Affairs at Cleveland State University is ranked second in the nation by U.S. News & World Reports in City Management and Urban Policy and 12th in Nonprofit Administration. The faculty and staff of the Levin College are widely recognized for their economic development research, and the College is the home of Economic Development Quarterly, a leading academic journal. www.urban.csuohio.edu