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.
Coming Up in July: Everything You Wanted to Know about Fiscal Impact and JEDDs
Ohio’s Joint Economic Development District (JEDD) program is the major state program that enables collaboration among municipalities and townships to encourage investment and job creation. Over the past few years, the JEDD program has undergone a number of significant changes that impact on its practical use.
read moreIn Memoriam – The Life of Dan Evers
I first met Dan in the fall of 2016. I had moved to Central Ohio over the late holiday season in 2015 to begin serving as the new Director of GROW Licking County CIC, Dan’s former role. I was immediately struck by many in the community who worried that I would “not be enough,” that the “shoes were too big,” and that “Dan was larger than life.” And they were right.
read moreOEDA 2022 Annual Excellence Awards – Call for Nominations
The Ohio Economic Development Association’s annual Excellence Awards program recognizes the achievements of individuals and organizations in Ohio in the areas of economic and workforce development. Submit your nominations today and have excellence in your community recognized statewide!
A panel of judges will evaluate the nominations, determine finalists, and select a winner for each of the categories noted below. Award winners will be announced in conjunction with the 2022 OEDA Annual Summit, being held October 3-6 at the Exchange at Bridge Park in Dublin, Ohio.
read more