Community Services & Economic
Development Department

The Community Services & Economic Development Department engages in efforts to improve the quality of life for Parma’s residents, and create a business friendly environment, through the implementation of neighborhood and economic development programs.

For business, the City of Parma offers a wide array of local tax incentives and rebates on new construction, renovation, relocation and expansion. The City of Parma will coordinate additional loans and grants offered through Cuyahoga County and the State of Ohio on behalf or in cooperation with the business.

For residents and neighborhoods, the City of Parma offers grants that assist in home improvement projects, home purchase, property maintenance, preventative maintenance, utility disconnection and rent or mortgage payment support. In order to qualify for these local programs, a family must be designated as low/moderate income – based upon the size of the family and their total annual income – or as senior (65 years of age or over). Please refer to the following table to determine initial eligibility: Click here for Income Limits.

Director of Community Services & Economic Development

Erik Tollerup

Contact Information
Office: (216) 661-7412
Email: etollerup@cityofparma-oh.gov

As the City’s Community Services & Economic Development director, Mr. Tollerup is responsible for spearheading efforts to enhance Parma’s tax base and to strengthen its neighborhoods to bolster the municipality’s status as one of Cuyahoga County’s premiere cities.

A 1994 graduate of Bowling Green State University, he holds a Master of Public Administration degree specializing in local government management. Prior to joining the DePiero Administration, Mr. Tollerup served for seven years as the Housing Manager for the City of Euclid where he focused on neighborhood revitalization and housing code enforcement.

He resides in Parma with his wife Julia and their two sons Alexander and Carsten.

Economic Development Officer/Grant Writer

Shelley Cullins

Contact Information
Office: (440) 885-8860
Email: scullins@cityofparma-oh.gov

Ms. Cullins is a graduate of North Royalton High School and attended The Ohio State University where she majored in English.

She comes to the DePiero Administration with a varied background to include being a graduate of the Ohio Peace Officers Training Program. With this training, she became a lieutenant in charge of the Columbus (Ohio) Metropolitan Housing Authority police department. Later, she expanded her horizons in the telecommunications industry and worked in sales, customer service and engineering. Ms. Cullins completed two grant writing certification programs in 2003.

In her capacity as Economic Development Officer/Grant Writer, Ms. Cullins works with the Community Services & Economic Development Director on programs to attract new business to Parma, and to assist the businesses currently located in our city. Additionally, she is responsible for all aspects of grant coordination, including identifying funding sources and tracking results.

Married, Ms. Cullins has two sons - the oldest is in the U.S. Coast Guard and the younger works in the construction field. She is also recently a grandmother.

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