The fifth annual Cuyahoga Connects (formerly the CWIOFB “Cleveland’s Waterfront is Open for Business” press conference and mixer) was convened by Share the River on behalf of the Cuyahoga River Safety Task Force (CRSTF) on Wednesday May 21 from 3:00-5:30 p.m. at Collision Bend Brewing Co.

Cuyahoga Connects also served as the “2 month away” kick-off for Share the River’s Seventh Annual Blazing Paddles Paddlefest on July 19, 2025.

Cuyahoga Connects brought together maritime partners, law enforcement, waterfront industries and businesses, governmental agencies, and recreation stakeholders, to share their respective vision for a safe, accessible, and productive waterfront, the importance of clean water, and its impact on the regional economy.

Waterfront stakeholders provided a short briefing, followed by a Q&A, followed by a casual connections happy hour by the Cuyahoga River.

Participating speakers/organizations:

Eric Peace, Lake Carriers’ Association
Jared Magyar & Kierra Cotton, Port of Cleveland
Lt. Chad Kozan - ODNR Watercraft
Lt. Sasha Queary, US Coast Guard Marine Safety Unit Cleveland
Drew Ferguson - Argonaut
Jim Ridge - Share the River
Emily Bacha - Cuyahoga County/Fresh Water Institute
Bill Hughes - Cuyahoga River Area of Concern
Michelle Burke - Ohio Marine Trades Assn.
Jessica Shutty, Northeast Ohio Regional Sewer District

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