New look. New energy. New ways to get involved.
The Ohio Economic Development Association is more than just a new website. There’s a new energy at OEDA, reflecting those we serve. As the professional association for economic developers, our new brand reflects our members– dynamic, on-the-move, decisive, knowledgeable, informed, engaging. The Ohio Economic Development Association is committed to helping our members expand their knowledge, expand their network and expand their influence. So, come join us as we work to expand your opportunities.
New look. New energy. New ways to get involved.
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GENERAL NEWS
Site Development Strategy Key to Early Opportunity Zone Success
Marketing helps but a fancy web site cannot replace a strong site development plan that illustrates an Opportunity Zone is prepared for development. Creating an Opportunity Zone site development plan involves five steps that includes the creation of site plans and infrastructure finance strategies, enacting land use entitlements and tax incentives, advocating for a state and local Opportunity Zone public policy agenda, marketing the Opportunity Zone and seeking professional guidance to operate an Opportunity Zone by seeking investors.
read moreThe Answers to Four Questions Determine if Your Region Behind in the Opportunity Zone Battle
Maybe it is a silly question since the ink on the IRS regulations are not dry nor are the even written in ink but economic development, elected officials and real estate developers are asking the question—is our region already behind in attracting capital for Opportunity Zones? The answer to four questions determines if your region is behind in this critical economic development opportunity.
read moreGlobal Design Expert Reveals Key Innovation Corridor Elements
The Uptown Consortium enlisted Sasaki, a global planning and design firm, to complete the master plan for the Uptown Innovation Corridor in Cincinnati. Bringing a broad, comprehensive vision to the table, the firm is working to articulate a thoughtful implementation framework that balances land use, urban design, placemaking and real estate strategies. The result is an execution roadmap to create a world-class urban district.
read moreADVOCACY
Tracked House Bills – December 2018
Federal Opportunity Zones: President Trump signed an Executive Order December 12 directing federal agencies to prioritize resources for opportunity zones. The order will create a White House Opportunity and Revitalization Council, covering 13 federal agencies and led by Ben Carson, the Housing and Urban Development secretary. The council will work to prioritize opportunity zones in a variety of federal efforts, including grant funding, loan guarantees, infrastructure spending and crime prevention. The 13 federal agencies included in the new council have apparently provided examples of potential actions they could take to support investment in opportunity zones. Projects could include the Agriculture Department targeting water infrastructure and rural broadband spending in certain zones, or the Small Business Administration focusing certain loan programs in designated tracts. The Justice Department could also shepherd spending on anti-crime efforts — such as mentoring and gang-prevention initiatives — to the zones. The Administration apparently also intends to finish two more rounds of regulations that will govern the zones and the funds that invest in them.
read moreTracked Senate Bills – December 2018
Role for the Lieutenant Governor? A bill passed by the General Assembly this week and sent to the Governor for signature hinted at a role to possibly be filled by Lieutenant Governor-elect Jon Husted. Senate Bill 296, originally drafted to increase law enforcement survivor benefits was amended to include a compromise pay raise omnibus amendment affecting state and local elected officials. An additional amendment apparently requested by the Governor-elect’s transition team would create an office within the Governor’s Office called “InnovateOhio” (see https://www.mikedewine.com/innovationohio/) and would allow the Lieutenant Governor, if appointed to head such an office, to receive the salary for that office rather than the lieutenant governor’s statutory pay.
read moreTracked Senate Bills – November 2018
Ohio Election Results:
Voter turnout for the November General Election in Ohio was quite high. According to the Secretary of State’s office, of the state’s 8,070,917 registered voters, 54.3 percent voted.
In Federal races, U.S. Senate Democratic incumbent Senator Sherrod Brown defeated Congressman Jim Renacci (R-Wadsworth) with a 53.19 to 46.81 percent advantage. In U.S. House of Representatives races, the Ohio Congressional delegation political breakdown remained the same in all 16 seats. Ohio U.S. Representatives Marcia Fudge (D), Marcy Kaptur (D), Troy Balderson (R), Mike Turner (R), David Joyce (R), Tim Ryan (D) and Steve Stivers (R) all won re-election. Steve Chabot (R), Brad Wenstrup (R), Joyce Beatty (D), Jim Jordan (R), Bob Latta (R), Bill Johnson (R), Bob Gibbs (R) and Warren Davidson (R) were also successful. Likewise, former Ohio State University football player and first-time candidate for elected office, Anthony Gonzales (R), won election by 56.84 percent of the vote.
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