The Center is able to assist local governments
in their community and economic development efforts. Community
development is a broad area; however, basic building
blocks of community development include developing local leadership
and empowering citizens in the management and planning of their
community's affairs. Topics such as goal-setting, community infrastructure,
wage and benefit assessment, land-use planning, zoning, solid
waste management, and numerous other issues relating to the public
interest, all fall under the field of community development.
Economic development is the mobilization
of land, labor, and capital resources for the creation of wealth
in a community. Economic development practices lay the foundation
for improving the quality-of-life in a community by increasing
the tax base. The basic components of economic development include:
business expansion and retention, job creation, business attraction,
strategic planning, marketing, and utilizing various financing
techniques and incentives.
Examples of Projects
City
of Monroe Community Reinvestment Areas (CRAs) - assisted
the City of Monroe with the creation of three Community Reinvestment
Areas (CRAs). These areas will facilitate economic development
and reinvestment through real property tax abatements for qualified
commercial, industrial, or residential projects. This project
is part of the Center’s overall assistance to the City in
developing a stronger regional economic development presence.
Village
of New Madison Community Reinvestment Areas (CRAs)
- provided technical assistance during the development and implementation
of the Village's CRA program. The Village's CRA program provides
real property tax abatements on qualified residential, commercial,
and industrial projects within the Village.
City of
Fairfield Route 4 Corridor Market Study - assisted the
City of Fairfield in accurately capturing the current business
climate of an older business corridor, analyzing the area?s assets
and challenges, and developing possible programs to assist the
business community.
West Milton Community Improvement Corporation - facilitated
goal-setting and action-planning process for Board of Directors that involved
preparing an inventory and environmental scan, conducting a visioning and
goal-setting process, and prioritizing and developing an implementation
strategy for the Action Plan.
Village of Waynesville (Warren County) - as part of the
economic development and marketing efforts of the village, the Center coordinated the
Village's application for the Ohio Development Association's "Red Carnation" Award and developed an interactive CD-rom package; the Center also assisted the village
with a successful application for an ESRI/GIS Small Governments grant to establish a local
capacity for mapping and related development efforts.
Delhi Pike Business District Survey - in cooperation with
Hamilton County Office of Economic Development; designed, conducted and
analyzed survey; findings were valuable to the Delhi Pike Visioning Study
Committee, the Zoning Commission; and the Board of Township Trustees in
development efforts to revitalize the township's major business corridor.
Village of Union City (Darke County) - provided strategic planning and technical assistance
for the Mayor's Quality of Life Initiative.
City of Harrison (Hamilton County) - assisted the city in QBS process for land-use
planning consultant. This was a continuing project assistance to help the City initiate an overall
community and economic development plan. The Center assisted the City in applying
GIS to development efforts.
Village of New Richmond (Clermont County) - assisted in application for ESRI-GIS small
governments grant for economic and community development efforts.
Glossary of Development-Related Terms
The International Economic Development Council (IEDC) has produced an on-line reference guide for economic development to orient newcomers to the field and keep experienced practitioners up to date on emerging trends. The guide covers 28 common terms and topics in the economic development profession. For each category, you are provided with information on:
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Key terms and definitions related to the topic
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Current and emerging trends
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Hyperlinks to nationally focused resources and specific examples including: nonprofit organizations, private firms, state and federal agencies, and other key funding sources.
Useful Information
OFFICE OF POLICY RESEARCH AND STRATEGIC
PLANNING, Ohio Department of Development - the official source of
statistical information on Ohio's people, industry, and economy. The
office is the primary liaison for the U.S. Bureau of Economic Analysis,
Cooperative Programs for Population Estimates and Projections, and an Official
Census Bureau Partner (State Data Center). The recently redesigned web site
includes: Ohio Population Studies, Ohio County Profiles, Ohio Economy and
Industry Reports, maps, and information related to Census efforts within the
state. Research links are available for data related to Ohio's
agriculture, children, crime, economics, education, employment, environment,
federal programs, finance health, taxes, technology, and transportation.
THE OHIO ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT ASSOCIATION -
the ODA is a "resource for education, information, advocacy, and networking
opportunities for economic development practitioners" in Ohio.
INTERNATIONAL ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT
COUNCIL - the IEDC is a resource for economic development information,
education, and certification. Their 2003
Annual Conference was held in Cincinnati, OH on September 14-17.
COUNTY PROFILES (includes maps, demographics, contact information,
etc.):
Provided by the State of Ohio, Department of Development, Office of Strategic
Research
PROGRAMS and SERVICES (links to information about economic and community
development programs available through the State of Ohio and the Federal Government):
The
State of Ohio's Department of Development
The
United States Department of Agriculture, Rural Development
The
United States Department of Commerce, Economic Development Administration
The
United States Department of Housing and Urban Development |
