Mandy Kraynak covers economic development for The Land, a nonprofit news organization that focuses on in-depth solutions journalism in Cleveland’s neighborhoods. Before returning to northeast Ohio, where she grew up, Kraynak was managing editor at The Daily Orange, an independent, student-run newspaper in Syracuse, New York. She also worked as a culture editor, assistant feature editor, assistant copy editor and staff writer at The Daily Orange, writing feature stories on arts and culture. She has freelanced for publications such as The South Side Stand in Syracuse and The Devil Strip in Akron, Ohio, and studied journalism at Syracuse University’s Newhouse School of Public Communications.
Beat: Economic development in Cleveland
Cleveland is the poorest big city in the U.S. This beat covers economic development from a number of angles: how economic development efforts are affecting residents; how these efforts affect social and racial disparities in the region; what local government is doing to advance neighborhood economic development, and more. This reporter focuses on accountability, solutions journalism and equitable community engagement, and provides readers with resources for getting involved and taking advantage of economic development opportunities to improve their lives and communities.