Shaker Heights Hires Economic Development Coordinator

SHAKER HEIGHTS, OH — Laura Englehart has been hired as Shaker Heights' director of economic development. She begins her term on August 1, the city announced on Tuesday.

“We are very pleased to welcome Laura to the City to oversee our economic development efforts,” said Mayor David Weiss in a statement. “Her expertise is well-aligned with the City’s goal to continue the redevelopment of our commercial districts, while also attracting new businesses and helping existing ones grow. As a long time Shaker resident, Laura also has a deep understanding of, and passion for, Shaker Heights.”

Englehart is currently a partner at the law firm of Kohrman Jackson & Kranntz LLP. She also serves as the firm's chair of the Economic Development Group.

The city said Englehart was hired based on her extensive experience with economic development, including managing both private and public sector projects. She oversaw the development of Cleveland's Victory Center, now the world headquarters for Dealer Tire. That project included more than $24 million in public and private financing and more than $10 million in federal and state historic tax credits.

During her career, Englehart has also worked in the office of Senator Sherrod Brown (a Democrat representing Ohio) and as an outside general counsel for early state and middle market companies.

She got her Juris Doctor from the Cleveland-Marshall College of Law at Cleveland State University, her Master's of Public Administration from the Levin College of Urban Affairs at Cleveland State University and her Bachelor of Philosophy from Miami University. She graduated from Shaker Heights High School in 2001.