It's easy to see why the City of Akron thinks of itself as the hub of industrial, scientific and manufacturing firms. Fifty percent of America's population reside within a 500 mile radius of the city, and within a I50 mile radius, there are approximately 10 million people. In addition, a market potential of III million people live within a day's drive of the city. Altogether, within a 50 mile radius of Akron are four public colleges, seven two year institutions, two freestanding medical colleges and 19 private institutions.

It originated as a boom town along the Ohio & Erie Canal, due to the tire manufacturing industry. The heyday of Akron as the rubber capital of the world is gone but it has morphed into an international research and development center for the tire industry's legacy: polymers, led by The University of Akron's College of Polymer Science and Polymer Engineering. More than 400 polymer related companies, including molders, extruders, fabricators, raw material suppliers, and machinery and equipment makers, have made Akron their home. The city is developing a University Polymer Research Park adjacent to The University of Akron to complement the institution's research capabilities. Akron is also home to the Inventors Hall of Fame and has the third best stadium for minor league baseball in the United States.

At the helm of the citys redirection is Mayor Donald L. Plusquellic. It's been a labor of love for Plusquellic, who was sworn in as Akron's 59th mayor in 1987. He is Akron's longest serving mayor and a lifelong resident of the city. This is his 30th year devoted to public service in a career highlighted by great leadership successes locally and nationwide. Currently, he is the vice president of the U.S. Conference of Mayors (USCM) and is in line for the presidency of that organization for the term beginning in 2004. In May 2003, the USCM appointed Plusquellic to its newly formed task force on homeland security. In 1999, the USCM had presented Plusquellic with the prestigious City Livability Award for outstanding leadership in his nearly decade long work creating and developing Joint Economic Development Districts (JEDDs).

It's all been part of the "Imagine.Akron:2025", a citizen led planning project designed to assist in planning the future of Akron. When the plan was revealed in late 1998, Plusquellic envisioned Akron in the year 2025 as a community "globally recognized as a center of excellence for business, research, technology, manufacturing and information. Because of the quality and strength of its business environment, work force, residential neighborhoods, arts, cultures, recreation, education and infrastructure, Akron will be a great place to live, work and play."