Position Title: Director of Economic and Business Development
Reports To: Assistant Vice President Energy Policy & Sustainability
FLSA Status: Exempt
Basic Functions: Lead AMP’s economic development program focused on providing benefit to all AMP members. Provide oversight and direction to AMP’s member-focused workforce development efforts.
State News:
ODOD adopts Residential Broadband Expansion Program rules on an emergency basis: On July 30, ODOD formally filed with the Joint Committee on Agency Rule Review (JCARR) the rules for HB 2’s broadband expansion program. This filing occurred the same day as Governor DeWine issued his executive order authorizing their immediate adoption. ODOD is charged with implementing the rules immediately, with their emergency status to expire within 120 days (when they are to be adopted via the traditional JCARR process).
On August 4, the newly formed Broadband Expansion Authority members met for first time. With three named members, of five total, the Authority convened to approve scoring criteria they will use to approve grant applications. The window for submitting application materials commences September 6 and will close November 8.
Federal News:
Breaking news: “Neither side got everything they wanted”: On August 10, the Senate approved the $1T physical infrastructure improvement plan, with the 69-30 vote demonstrating a rare bipartisan comity among senators. The “ayes” included Minority Leader Mitch McConnell (R. – Kentucky) and 18 other Republicans. The 2,700-page legislation now proceeds to the House, with the following plan elements:
A study on the economic impact of the area of Uptown Cincinnati was recently published by the University of Cincinnati Economics Center. The report summarizes the economic and financial impact of almost all of Uptown’s anchor institutions — Cincinnati Children’s Hospital Medical Center, Cincinnati Zoo and Botanical Garden, TriHealth, University of Cincinnati and UC Health — and the roughly 1,092 auxiliary businesses operating in Uptown’s five core neighborhoods: Avondale, Clifton, Corryville, CUF (Clifton Heights, University Heights, and Fairview), and Mt. Auburn.
For many observers tracking the state budget bill, the General Assembly’s change in the name of the state’s development agency – reverting back to the Ohio Department of Development (ODOD) – was breathtaking in and of itself. However, two new funding lines inserted into the measure (H.B. 110), representing $500 million in total grant funds available during state fiscal year (SFY) 2022, have lassoed the purple unicorn. That is, an answer now exists to the question, “how will Ohio fund clean-up and demolition of legacy commercial and industrial sites?”