In region that tends to be fragmented and divodes, the Cuyahoga Valley was universally perceived as a place of "connection and joining." In fact, many saw the Valley as a natural and non-threatening "venue for regionalism" as a way to leverage the region's sustainability efforts and other agendas, such as improving racial inclusion and income equity, attracting and growing businesses, reducing government fragmentation and inefficiency, and reducing sprawl and improving regional connectivity.