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Notice of Funding Opportunity: Community Investment Fund Grant Cycle Now Open!

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Notice of Funding: Community Investment Fund Grant Cycle Now Open!

The Cleveland-Cuyahoga County Port Authority is now accepting applications for the 2025 Community Investment Fund (CIF) Grant Cycle, with $270,000 in no-match grant funds available to support community, workforce, and maritime-focused initiatives across Cuyahoga County.

This grant program helps nonprofit organizations access capital for projects that align with the Port’s mission—promoting job creation, economic development, and equitable access to maritime industry opportunities.

🔑 Key Information

  • Total Funds Available: $270,000

  • Grant Size: $25,000 minimum / $100,000 maximum per organization

  • Eligible Applicants: Nonprofit organizations located in Cuyahoga County involved in:

    • Maritime development or navigation safety

    • Workforce development & job training

    • Environmental sustainability

    • International trade

    • Community improvement and equity

  • Ineligible Uses Include:

    • Lobbying or political activities

    • Entertainment or personal expenses

    • Completed or non-aligned projects

    • Legal disputes or unpaid taxes

🗓 Important Dates

  • Application Opens: May 1, 2025

  • Deadline to Apply: June 15, 2025

  • Award Notifications: July 10, 2025

✅ Application Highlights

Applicants must:

  • Clearly outline project scope and impact

  • Demonstrate alignment with the Port’s mission and CIF goals

  • Submit financials, staff/board list, and 3 professional references

  • Show measurable outcomes (KPIs and reporting required)

📄 How to Apply

Click here to apply
For detailed guidelines and submission requirements, download the full Notice of Funding Opportunity by clicking the button at the top of the page.

📧 Questions? Contact: CommunityInvestment@portofcleveland.com

DISCLAIMER:
The Port Authority reserves the right to modify or cancel this funding opportunity at any time without prior notice. All decisions regarding grant awards are final and not subject to appeal. The foregoing Notice of Funding Opportunity does not constitute an offer or promise to do business with the Port Authority or any guarantee to do business or execute any binding agreement by and between the Port Authority and prospective applicants, applicants or the general public. All decisions, reviews and/or awards may be subject to the Port Authority’s Board of Directors’ approval and/or other applicable local and state law(s).

by Kierra Cotton

Request for Statements of Qualifications: Cleveland Harbor Electrification Initiative Program Manager Services (2025–2028)

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Request for Statements of Qualifications

Cleveland-Cuyahoga County Port Authority

Cleveland, Ohio

NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN by the Board of Directors that Statements of Qualifications (SOQs) will be received by the Cleveland-Cuyahoga County Port Authority for the following project:

CLEVELAND HARBOR ELECTRIFICATION

INITIATIVE PROGRAM MANAGER SERVICES (2025-2028)

The successful firm/team will assist the Port Authority with program management, EPA grant administration, oversight of subawards, preliminary design, permitting, and construction management services to advance the above referenced program.

Statements will be received via email to the attention of Matt Wenham, Matt.Wenham@portofcleveland.com, until 10:00 a.m. local time on May 19.

SOQ documentation will be available and may be obtained via email request to Matt.Wenham@portofcleveland.com. Questions should also be directed to the same email address.

The Port Authority reserves the right to reject any and all submissions, to waive any technicalities, to request additional information, and to otherwise proceed in accordance with the best interests of the Port Authority.

Statements will be evaluated and scored to determine the most qualified team. The Port Authority may request interviews with firms following the submission of their SOQs. The Port Authority will negotiate a contract along with fair and reasonable compensation with the most highly ranked firm. If negotiations fail with the team ranked most qualified, the Port Authority may elect to enter negotiations with the team ranked second most qualified.

Any SOQ submissions may be withdrawn or amended prior to the closing deadline. Under no circumstance will the Port Authority be responsible for any costs incurred by firms in responding to this RFQ and any subsequent phases of this selection process.

Cleveland-Cuyahoga County Port Authority

David Gutheil

Interim President/CEO

by Kierra Cotton

Advertisement for Bids : Warehouse 22 Fabric Replacement Project

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Advertisement for Bids

Cleveland-Cuyahoga County Port Authority | Cleveland, Ohio

NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN by the Board of Directors that Sealed Bids will be received by the Cleveland-Cuyahoga County Port Authority for the:

Warehouse 22 Fabric Replacement Project

The successful Bidder will perform the scope of work outlined in the Contract Documents. The work consists of the refurbishment of the fabric structure at Warehouse 22 located at the Port of Cleveland General Cargo Terminal.

Bids will be received at the office of the Cleveland-Cuyahoga County Port Authority, Attention: Mr. Matthew J. Wenham, 1100 West Ninth Street, Suite 300, Cleveland, Ohio 44113 until 11:00 a.m. local time on January 24, 2025.

Electronic drawings and specifications (“Bid Packet”) will be available by request to Matt.Wenham@portofcleveland.com.

MBE/FBE participation goals (subcontracts, materials, supplies) has been set by the Cleveland-Cuyahoga County Port Authority. The MBE/FBE goal for this project is 30%.

A non-mandatory pre-bid meeting will be held on January 9 at 9 am at the Port Authority’s Office Building located at 1100 W. 9th Street in Cleveland, Ohio. Registration to attend this pre-bid meeting is requested a minimum of 24 hours in advance. All contractors and subcontractors will be required to have picked up a copy of the electronic bid documents in advance of the pre-bid meeting. All attendees must wear appropriate PPE and must present a valid government issued photo ID.

Bids must be submitted on the forms furnished in the Bid Packet.

THE PORT AUTHORITY RESERVES THE RIGHT TO REJECT ANY AND ALL BIDS, TO WAIVE ANY TECHNICALITIES, TO REQUEST ADDITIONAL BIDS AND TO OTHERWISE PROCEED IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE BEST INTEREST OF THE PORT AUTHORITY.

Any Bid may be withdrawn or amended prior to the closing time for the receipt of the Bids. If any Bidder has questions, they should contact Matthew J. Wenham via email at matt.wenham@portofcleveland.com.

UNDER NO CIRCUMSTANCE WILL THE PORT AUTHORITY BE RESPONSIBLE FOR ANY COSTS INCURRED BY ANY BIDDER IN RESPONDING TO THIS REQUEST FOR BIDS.

The successful Bidder will be required to enter into a contract with the Port Authority based upon the materials submitted and any mutually agreeable negotiations completed between the parties.

Cleveland-Cuyahoga County Port Authority

David Gutheil

Interim President & CEO

by Kierra Cotton

Construction & Supplier partnership opportunities

Construction & Supplier Partnership Opportunities

In July 2024, the Cleveland-Cuyahoga County Port Authority hosted its inaugural construction and design networking event. It was a great opportunity for large, small, minority, and women- owned firms to learn about the Port’s construction opportunities and most importantly network with one another.

As the premier port of the Great Lakes, we feel it is our responsibility to help bridge gaps within the maritime industry. We look forward to the participants feedback and continuing our efforts to bolster the economic vitality of Northeast Ohio.

For more information, download the PowerPoint below or contact Matthew J. Wenham at Matt.Wenham@portofcleveland.com.

DOWNLOAD MORE INFORMATION

by Kierra Cotton