Episode 32: Week of February 16, 2026

Cleveland just ranked ahead of cities like Detroit, Pittsburgh, and Columbus in economic growth, once again challenging the old Rust Belt narrative. In this episode, we break down the Greater Cleveland Partnership’s annual Growth Rankings and what the numbers actually show.Business growth. Income growth. Record-low unemployment. A regional economy topping $293 billion. But there’s a twist: job growth is lagging — not because jobs aren’t available, but because talent is scarce.We explore what’s driving Cleveland’s momentum, where the challenges remain, and whether this moment represents a temporary spike or a durable shift in the region’s trajectory. See the latest growth rankings: https://bit.ly/3Mz29UQ