Columbus Region CEDS Update

Ted Geer
MORPC

The Mid-Ohio Regional Planning Commission (MORPC) is seeking public comments on the 2021 draft update to the Columbus Region’s Comprehensive Economic Development Strategy (CEDS).

A CEDS serves as a strategic blueprint for economic and community development across the region.

MORPC has been working with regional partners – One Columbus, the Mid-Ohio Development Exchange, and economic development leaders across 11 counties – to develop and complete a CEDS. A completed CEDS will unlock important, new federal tools and funding sources and ensure the region is prepared for transformational economic development opportunities.

The U.S. Economic Development Administration awarded MORPC with a $400,000 grant in May to update the strategy. The development of the CEDS has been guided by a strategy committee of county economic developers, private sector representatives, transit agencies, higher education, and workforce development stakeholders.

The CEDS includes action plans on topics including infrastructure investment, housing, broadband, mobility, and more. Through it, the 11-county region will be further able to:

• Align regional goals and provide an economic assessment
• Streamline resources to analyze and consider new opportunities for regional economic development funding
• Plan for, respond to, and recover from economic shocks and displacement
• Attract more federal funding and technical assistance

The draft 2021 CEDS document is now available for public review and comment at morpc.org and can be accessed here.

Comments may be submitted by e-mail to tgeer@morpc.org or to: Ted Geer, MORPC, 111 Liberty Street, Suite 100, Columbus, OH 43215. The deadline to submit feedback is 5 p.m. on Saturday, Oct. 9, 2021.

The final CEDS document will be submitted to the U.S. Economic Development Administration for adoption. With a completed CEDS, the Columbus Region will apply for economic development district (EDD) designation, further supporting regional economic development efforts.

More information on comprehensive economic development strategies is available here.