Cleveland, or "The Forest City," is the county seat of Cuyahoga County and best known for playing host to the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame. As the State of Ohio's second largest city, Cleveland's economy is highly reliant upon its central position and convenient access to local ports, waterways, and rail lines. The Cuyahoga River, Lake Eerie, as well as the Ohio and Eerie Canals make up the main access routes by ship. Cleveland is a major producer and exporter of steel and other mass produced goods. The recent upturn in the Cleveland technology companies has attracted new major employers like Applied Industrial Technologies, KeyCorp, and the Glenn Research Center.

A few other notable businesses located in Cleveland include Sherwin Williams Company, NASA, and Forest City Enterprises. There are also a number of notable medical facilities like the Cleveland Clinic. The Cleveland Clinic is ranked in the best U.S. hospitals by U.S. News World Report. The American Public Transportation Association named the Greater Cleveland Regional Transit Authority the best mass transit system in the United States. Guns n' Roses star Steven Addler, Price is Right host Drew Carey, Tracy Chapman, director Wes Craven, rapper Kid Cudi, author Toni Morrison, and gold medalist Jesse Owens are all Cleveland natives. Needless to say, it's a diverse city. One way the diversity has positively manifested is with the local cuisine. Cleveland plays host to some of the most acclaimed restaurants in the world. Chef Michael Symon who was named a Food Network Iron Chef.