BEACHWOOD, Ohio — City Council on Monday (Sept. 15) approved legislation that incentivizes two businesses to grow within Beachwood.
The businesses, 911 Cellular and Surgical Theater, will each receive a $20,000 forgivable loan that will be repaid over the next three years from the increased income taxes they will pay Beachwood from expected new employees both companies plan to add.
Economic Development Director Catherine Bieterman told council, “Both loans have been approved by the city’s Loan Review Committee and the Community Improvement Corporation Board of Directors.
“911 Cellular, a company located in Solon, Ohio, plans to relocate their headquarter, along with research and development of their technology company supporting critical incident management solutions, here to Beachwood. The new location will be at 24103 Chagrin Blvd.
The business provides panic buttons and safety support for use at schools, healthcare facilities, houses of worship, courts, and law enforcement agencies.
“With this relocation there will be new employment generated within the city, with further plans for growth,” she said.
Bieterman said that 911 cellular will move into a building already owened by the business’s owner and will invest $175,000 into its new headquarters.
“I just wanted to come up and show how grateful we are,” said 911 Cellular CEO Chad Salahshour, in addressing council Monday. “Everyone within Beachwood city government has been fantastic in assisting us to move to the city, and it’s really our hope and it’s our vision to make Beachwood, Ohio the safety center for all our communities in the United States.”
Salahshour said 911 Cellular products are currently in use in “thousands” of public facilities across the country.
The company now has eight employees and expects to have 11 over the next three years.
Meanwhile, Bieterman said, “Surgical Theater is expanding their headquarters, and their desire was to remain in Beachwood.
”To accommodate their growth needs, they have split their corporate office and warehouse/production space.
“They are relocating their offices to 24100 Chagrin Blvd., and will continue to grow with new employment added to the city.”
Warehousing and production will remain at 23645 Mercantile Road in Beachwood’s Commerce Park, where the comapny’s offices are now located.
Surgical Theater now has seven employees and expects to grow to 10 within the term of the loan.
According to its website, “Surgical Theater unleashes the magic of visualization for surgeons, patients and medical institutions — offering an immersive XR (experiential reality) experience throughout the patient’s entire continuum of care.”
Surgical Theater will invest $40,000 into its new offices.
“Both of these projects help support the city’s interest in filling office space within Chagrin Boulevard with companies that support our growing industry clusters in technology, research and development,” Bieterman said to council members.
“My recommendation (to council) is to proceed with this legislation approving the loans for 911 Cellular, LLC, and Surgical Theater, Inc., fostering new job creation, business attraction/expansion, and supporting commercial growth.
“The recommendation is further supported as it meets clear objectives of the city’s Economic Development Action Plan.”
Council voted 6-0 (council Vice President Danielle Shoykhet was not present) to approve both loans.
Park renamed for Gorden
Council also voted, 6-0, to rename City Park West, at Shaler Boulevard and Richmond Road, to “Gorden Gateway Park,” in honor of former mayor Merle Gorden.
Several council members spoke glowingly of the job Gorden did as mayor and how the name change would be an appropriate honor. Gorden served as mayor for 23 years, through 2017.
“I just want to say that this is a long overdue honor,” said Councilman Joshua Mintz. “I want to thank mayor Gorden for his over two decades of service to Beachwood. His dedication, vision and hard work have made a long-lasting impact on our community.
“Under his leadership, he guided Beachwood through significant economic development, overseeing large-scope business developments like the Eaton Corp. headquarters and University Hospitals Ahuja Medical Center, enhanced public safety, and strenghtened our community services. All of which continue to benefit our residents and businesses today.”
Said Council President Alec Isaacson, “Somebody said once, ‘I can see very far because I stand on the shoulders of giants,’ and Merle Gorden is truly one of those giants. Beachwood is in the position it is in, with strong finances and city services, and everything else, because of the strong foundation Merle Gorden helped to build for our community.”
“I can’t think of a person more deserving than former mayor Merle Gorden,” said Mayor Justin Berns.
Berns said that a dedication and community celebration event will be planned for a future date.