Cleveland leaders invite PayPal here after firm snubs North Carolina

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Parade marchers carry a huge rainbow flag past City Hall on Lakeside Avenue during the 27th Annual Cleveland Pride Parade last August.

(Lisa DeJong / The Plain Dealer)

CLEVELAND, Ohio -- Civic Leaders have invited PayPal to develop a global operations center here, after the company cancelled plans to set it up in North Carolina in response to that state approving measures excluding gays and transgender people from legal protections.

The invitation was extended to PayPal CEO Daniel Schulman via a letter signed by a number of prominent Clevelanders.

PayPal's original plan called for a $3.6 million investment that would have created 400 jobs in North Carolina.

Revelation of the Clevelanders' bold gesture came in a press release sent by the Dix and Eaton agency on behalf of Cleveland State University's Center for Population Dynamics.

The leaders' letter to Schulman cited a variety of local achievements and advantages, including an influx of millennials with advanced degrees.

That last item came from a report by the CSU center titled called "The Fifth Migration: A Study of Cleveland Millennials."

The paper noted that this region is a significant destination for millennials with advanced degrees.

The civic leaders' letter boasted of city's recent success in hosting the Gay Games.

They also wrote that Cleveland is a city "that proudly flies the pride flag above Cleveland City Hall."

Signatories include such heavyweights as County Executive Armond Budish; Cuyahoga County Council President Dan Brady; Albert Ratner, co-chairman emeritus, Forest City Realty Trust; Joe Marinucci, president and CEO, Downtown Cleveland Alliance; Joe Cimperman, president, Global Cleveland; David Gilbert, president and CEO, Destination Cleveland, Greater Cleveland Sports Commission; Chris Ronayne, president and CEO, University Circle Inc.; Paul Dolan, president, Cleveland Indians; Paul Clark, regional president for Northern Ohio, PNC Bank, and Fred Geis, principal in the Geis Companies.

According to Dix and Eaton, another signer is Richey Piiparinen, a senior research associate at the  Center for Population Dynamics.

The letter is just one reaction to North Carolina's move. Others include Cuyahoga County banning all non-essential government travel to that state.

A statement posted on Bruce Springsteen's Facebook page said the Boss is scrubbing a concert date in North Carolina because of its action.

Cleveland City Councilman Kerry McCormack and Council President Kevin Kelley also are urging PayPal to come here.

"I am urging PayPal to bring those jobs north to a city that prides itself on diversity and tolerance," McCormack said in a press release. "I believe PayPal will find the support, incentives and resources here to thrive and grow."

McCormack also sought help from Kelley, who sent a letter Friday to PayPal CEO Daniel Schulman.

"Cleveland is not only a great place to do business, but a welcoming and supportive community for everyone," Council President Kelley wrote. "As a city that strives for equality, we proudly hosted the 2013 Senior Games, the 2014 Gay Games and the upcoming 2016 Republican National Convention."

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