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Business & Tech

5 Minutes With Mayor Dennis Clough on American Greetings Move

Mayor Dennis Clough was pleased to hear the news regarding the greeting card giant, and is eager to see the plans come into fruition.

We spoke to Westlake Mayor Dennis Clough earlier today to get his input and reactions to  decision to build its 700,000 square foot headquarters on 13 acres off Main Street, adjacent to Crocker Park. 

The move will bring 3,000 jobs and $100 million in spin-off development to Crocker Park, including an additional 250,000 square feet of retail stores, a hotel, a parking garage and other civic spaces and public improvements. 

WESTLAKE PATCH: First off, what are your feelings about this planned move by American Greetings and all that it entails? 

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CLOUGH: Well, I’m very pleased that American Greetings chose Westlake as their future home. Most importantly, I’m very pleased that they chose to stay in Cuyahoga County and the greater Cleveland area in northeast Ohio simply because of the fact that they’ve been such a long-time corporate citizen for this area, and I think it was important to try and make sure that they stayed here. 

WESTLAKE PATCH: From a financial standpoint, do you have any specifics on what sort of positive effects this will have for the city? 

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CLOUGH:  I think it’s going to have a substantial effect for the city. But, again, most importantly I think it’s going to keep those taxes here in Cuyahoga County. We have a relatively favorable tax rate at 1.5 percent and our real estate taxes are pretty favorable as well. But I think it’s going to be a catalyst for Westlake to finish Crocker Park and the development of Crocker Park because it’s going to mean an additional 250,000 square feet of retail, and I think other businesses may be able to expand here. And all of that is good news, not only for Westlake but Cuyahoga County.

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