Area
Cleveland-Akron Consolidated Metropolitan Statistical Area (CMSA) consists of eight counties: Cuyahoga, Lake, Geauga, Lorain, Medina, Ashtabula, Summit and Portage.
• Population 2,945,831
• 15th largest consumer market in the U.S.

Location
The City of Wickliffe is located in Northeast Ohio in Lake County, 12 miles east of Downtown Cleveland and 10 miles west of Painesville, the county seat. Wickliffe is 4.68 square miles.

Population
• Wickliffe (2000) 13,484
• Lake County (2000) 227,511

Locational Factors
Companies that make and distribute products would be hard-pressed to find a more suitable strategic location. Within 500 miles of the region are:
• 44% of the U.S. households
• 43% of U.S. population
• 45% of Effective Buying Income (EBI)
• 46% of U.S. earnings
• 49% of U.S. manufacturing employment
• 56% of Fortune 500 U.S. headquarters
• 42 major American and Canadian cities

Climate
The normal daily maximum temperature in January is 31.9F and daily minimum is 17.6F. Temperatures in July on average reach daily maximum of 82.4F and the daily minimum is 61.4F. Annually, the average precipitation is 36.6 inches of rain and 54.6 inches of snow. The highest temperature on record in Cleveland is 104F. The lowest is -20F.

Ethnic Composition
• White 95.4%
• Black 2.8%
• Other 1.8%

Households
• 2000 5,604

Economy
Diverse economy, high worker productivity, outstanding air service and extraordinary quality of life are strong factors in positioning the region for solid economic growth in the 2000s. Among its prominent manufacturing groups are specialty chemicals, control systems, aircraft parts, metal products and processing, computer software and printing.

Economic Indicators
• Average Household Income $51,351
• Average Home Value $125,200
• Average Home Property Tax $1,583
• Total Market Value $926,000,000

Major Employers
Lubrizol Corp. 1,200
ABB 900
PCC Airfoils 415
Parker Hannifin Corp. 300
Progressive Insurance 200
PMC Industries Inc. 100
Universal Metals Corp. 135
Lake Erie Design 120

International Business
Many companies in Wickliffe conduct international business. Some import, some export and some have established joint ventures in development and manufacturing with Germany, China, Japan and the U.K. A useful resource is the North Coast International Trade Assistance Center at the Lake County Economic Development Center. They provide export assistance and international market development aid to businesses in a five-county region. The International Trade Assistance Center, which is a cooperative effort with the United States Department of Commerce and the Ohio International Trade Department, also offers assistance for “new-to-export” firms in the local community whose products have export potential and who have a commitment toward developing an export strategic plan.

For more information call the Lake County Economic Development Center (440) 357-2290.

Air Transportation
Cleveland Hopkins International Airport is located 18 miles (30 minutes by auto) west of Wickliffe on Interstate 71. Continental Airlines operates a major hub along with two dozen major airlines servicing 425 daily scheduled flights. Limousine and taxi service is available from Wickliffe to the airport.

Local Air Service
Cuyahoga County Airport features corporate and pleasure craft service less than 2-miles from Wickliffe’s Central Business District. Runway length is 5,100 feet, concrete and lighted.
Burke Lakefront Airport is located just outside of downtown Cleveland and provides business jets and commuter flights.

Railroad
Wickliffe is served by two railroad systems — CSX and Norfolk Southern. On average 70-100 trains travel through the city each day. Passenger train service by Amtrak is available at the downtown Cleveland station.

Port of Cleveland
The port of Cleveland is served by over 130 ships each year. The shipping season is eight months long. Ten docks operate in a Free Trade Zone. Ports are also available in Fairport Harbor (12 miles from Wickliffe), Ashtabula and Conneaut (over 30 miles).

Highway Transportation
Interstate 90, Interstate 271 and Route 2 pass through Wickliffe. Interstate 90 has ramp service at Route 84 and Route 20. Route 2 has ramp service at Lloyd Road (SR 633) and East 305 Street.

Public Transit
The Regional Transit Authority (RTA) links Wickliffe and western Lake County to Cuyahoga County and downtown Cleveland with a series of convenient bus routes. Laketran, Lake County’s regional transit organization has bus routes throughout the city and county. It also provides “park-and-ride” lots that shuttle commuters to various Downtown Cleveland locations.

Electric Power
Cleveland Electric Illuminating Company transports and furnishes electric power. Ohio has adopted regulations that allow each individual to choose their own electric provider. Natural gas lines are maintained by Dominion East Ohio. A list of gas suppliers can be had by calling (216) 361-2345.

Telecommunications
Local providers furnish business customers with a full range of business communication solutions. Fiber optic grid is available.

Water
Lake Erie provides our region with one of the world's largest supplies of fresh water. Lake County Department of Utilities is the primary water supplier to the City of Wickliffe.

Sewage Treatment
Wickliffe is served by the Euclid Sewage Treatment plant in Cuyahoga County through an intergovernmental agreement. Treatment is Advanced Secondary with a capacity of 23,000,000 GDP. Current usage is 2,400,000 GDP. Solid waste disposal is handled by BFI.

Government
The City of Wickliffe is a Council and Mayor form of government, which provides for the election of seven council members and mayor every four years. The Mayor appoints members to his/her administration with council’s approval.

Local Taxation
Real Estate (Lake County) taxes are assessed at 35% of market value. The effective 1996 rates for the City of Wickliffe are 77.64 per $1,000 valuation for personal property and 48.77 per $1,000 valuation for real property. Sales tax in Ohio is 5% and in Lake County 0.75% = 5.75%. Income tax for the City of Wickliffe is 2%.

State Taxes
Ohio Corporate: 5.1% on the first $5,000; 8.9% on income exceeding $50,000 or 5.82 mills multiplied by the value of stock, whichever is greater.
Personal: Ranges from 0.743% to 7.5%

Tax Credits
Wickliffe Enterprise Zone Program is part of the Lake County Enterprise Zone. Tax exemptions are offered on personal and real property. The amount of investment and number of jobs created will determine the amount and term.
Ohio Job Creation Tax Credit provides a refundable tax credit against a company’s corporate franchise tax based on the state income tax paid by the new, full-time employees. Credit can be up to 100% for 10 years.
Ohio Export Tax Credit provides a non-refundable franchise tax credit on the increase of net profit due to export sales. The credit is based on the average increase in export sales during the two years prior to the year in which the credit is claimed.
Ohio Manufacturing Tax Credit is available to offset the Ohio corporate franchise tax or individual income tax of a taxpayer that purchases the new manufacturing machinery or equipment. The tax credit is equal to 20% of the cost of the new manufacturing machinery or equipment purchased.
Ohio Research & Development Tax Incentive offers a state and county sales tax exemption on machinery and equipment primarily purchased for research and development.

Financing
Federal: SBA 504 Direct Loan Program
SBA 7A Loan Guarantee Program
SBA LowDoc Loan Program
State: 166 Direct Loan Program
Link Deposit Program
Mini Loan Program
Industrial Development Bonds
County: Lake County Revolving Loan

Schools
Wickliffe City Schools student enrollment is approximately 1,500. Facilities include Elementary, Middle and High schools with a student teacher ratio of 14:1. Seventy percent of all students enter post high school education or training. Wickliffe public schools have been repeatedly recognized nationally for excellence in educational curriculum and enjoy an award-winning teaching staff. There are also two parochial elementary schools in Wickliffe-- Our Lady of Mt. Carmel and All Saints.

Click here for more information on Wickliffe City Schools.

Colleges and Universities
The Center for Pastoral Leadership is a 52-acre campus that houses all the resources of the Diocese of Cleveland for preparing lay and ordained Roman Catholic clergy. The Center teams with John Carroll University to grant undergraduate and masters degrees for men considering the priesthood. Two hundred people are enrolled in various programs, including women and Christians of other denominations studying theology.

Nearby, Jewish men study at Telshe Yeshiva, the internationally prominent center for Orthodox scholarship. The 53-acre campus has 300 students attending high school, college, graduate, and postgraduate levels of study, primarily for careers as religious educators and Rabbis.

Area Colleges and Universities
The Cleveland area has 23 colleges and universities. Some of the area’s well-known universities are Case Western Reserve University, Kent State University, Cleveland State University, Baldwin-Wallace College, John Carroll University, Lakeland Community College and Lake Erie College.

Library
In 1997, the doors opened to Wickliffe’s new 22,000 square foot library that is science- and art- friendly. The state-of-the-art facility features computerized circulation systems, access to online resources and the ability to search libraries around the world. The library also provides more space for meetings and its specialized literacy and children programming. Wickliffe Public Library: 944-6010.

Click here for more information on the Wickliffe Public Library.

Churches
Covenant Baptist Church 585-7350
Fellowship United Church of Christ 944-7240
Our Lady of Mt. Carmel Church 585-0700
Vineyard Christian Fellowship 944-4402
Wickliffe Presbyterian Church 585-8412

Health Care
Two regional hospitals are within one mile of the city limits. Lake West Hospital has 191 beds and Richmond Heights Hospital has 220 beds. Both include emergency room services. The internationally known Cleveland Clinic and University Hospital are only a 15-minute drive from Wickliffe. Several dentists and eye care professionals have offices in Wickliffe.

Community Attractions
Coulby Park Aquatic Center
Wickliffe Hall of Fame
Harry Coulby Mansion
Provo House
“Spirit of ‘76” Historic Marker
Wickliffe Historical Society

Cleveland Area Cultural Venues
Severence Hall / Cleveland Orchestra
Cleveland Playhouse
Playhouse Square Theater District
The Nautica Stage
Tower City Amphitheater
Gund Arena
Jacobs Field
Cleveland Browns Stadium
Blossom Music Center

Museums
Cleveland Art Museum
Western Reserve Historical Society
Cleveland MetroParks Zoo & Rainforest
Rock & Roll Hall of Fame and Museum
Great Lakes Science Center
Natural History Museum
Crawford Auto and Aviation Museum
Cleveland Health Museum
Children’s Museum

Major Attractions and Events
Cleveland Indians Baseball
Cleveland Browns Football
Cleveland Cavaliers Basketball
Cleveland Barons (Minor League Hockey)
The Cleveland Grand Prix (Auto racing)
The Flats Entertainment District
Six Flags Worlds of Adventure
Cedar Point Amusement Park
Little Italy
Beaches and Parks
LakeFarmPark
Over 80 Golf Courses

History
For the first 100 years, Wickliffe was a precinct in Willoughby Township. In 1916, a petition was filed requesting that Wickliffe be permitted to incorporate as a village. When the election was held on March 27, 1916, a majority of those voting approved the resolution. Harry C. Coulby, whose estate was destined to become Wickliffe’s City Hall, became the first Mayor.

Wickliffe’s first administration building was the Village Hall located on Euclid Avenue. Early residents and wealthy Clevelanders who established large estates here wished to retain the country atmosphere, so industrialization was discouraged.

Between 1916 and 1940, only a few industries settled in Wickliffe. Many people still grew their own produce. In 1929, the Wickliffe Chamber of Commerce was formed.

Wickliffe officially became a city in 1951, when the population was 5,002. In 1954, the residents attended the dedication of Wickliffe’s fabulous city hall; the million-dollar mansion was purchased by the city along with its 54-acres for $70,000 in cash. Renovations took place and a park was created. This is considered the best investment the City of Wickliffe has ever made!

In 1991, a new state-of-the-art police station was constructed adjacent to City Hall. Wickliffe’s new fire station was opened in 1996 on Euclid Avenue in the center of town. In 2000, the Coulby Park Aquatic Center opened to rave reviews, being hailed as the best outdoor swimming facility in Lake County.

Since 1916, Wickliffe has continued its excellence in everything it does. Services are considered the best in the county and government is responsive to resident and business needs. Major corporations call Wickliffe home and it is that cooperation and excellence in services that keeps them in Wickliffe.

Click here for more information on the City of Wickliffe's history..

Hotels
Clarion Hotel 440-585-2750
28500 Euclid Avenue

Comfort Inn 440-944-4030
28611 Euclid Avenue

Holiday Inn 440-585-0600
28600 Ridgehills Drive

Party Centers
Dino’s Catering at Pine Ridge Country Club
440-943-1010

Normandy Party Center
440-585-5850

Knights Party Center
440-585-5405

American Legion Hall
440-585-4191

James Catering at Italian-American Party Center
440-944-2433