Cleveland's Economy Improving, But Attracting Talent Remains Challenge

New report shows growth in business and incomes, but jobs growth lags behind peers

Published on Feb. 16, 2026

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A new report from the Greater Cleveland Partnership shows the Cleveland metro area's economy is improving, with growth in business and incomes outpacing many peer regions. However, the region is struggling to attract and retain enough people to fill the available jobs, which is limiting overall jobs growth.

Why it matters

Cleveland's ability to attract and retain talent is crucial for the region's long-term economic success. While the report shows positive signs in terms of business and income growth, the lack of sufficient workforce to fill open positions could constrain further expansion.

The details

The report found that Cleveland ranked 4th among peer metro areas for business growth from 2023 to 2024, and 3rd for income growth. However, it ranked only 6th for jobs growth, with a 0.4% increase in non-farm employment. The head of the Greater Cleveland Partnership, Baiju Shah, said the region has 'untapped potential' and needs to do more to attract 'young people and mid-career individuals' to support the available jobs.

  • The report used data through 2024, as complete 2025 information was not yet available.
  • The region's unemployment rate in December 2025 was 3.4%, lower than most peer metro areas.

The players

Baiju Shah

President and CEO of the Greater Cleveland Partnership, the region's chamber of commerce.

Cleveland Talent Alliance

A consortium of public, private and nonprofit organizations leading efforts to attract and retain talent in the Cleveland region.

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What they’re saying

“Businesses are growing faster here than other geographies. Income is growing faster. Jobs is the one area where we have the challenge. It's not because of the lack of jobs. We need more people to support the jobs we have.”

— Baiju Shah, President and CEO, Greater Cleveland Partnership (cleveland.com)

“We think we can get there.”

— Baiju Shah, President and CEO, Greater Cleveland Partnership (cleveland.com)

What’s next

The Cleveland Talent Alliance is working to increase the retention rate of college graduates in the region from 51% in 2024 to a goal of 55%.

The takeaway

While Cleveland's economy is showing signs of improvement, the region's ability to attract and retain a skilled workforce remains a key challenge that must be addressed to fully capitalize on the growth opportunities in sectors like health, business, finance, construction and logistics.