For Immediate Release
OEDA Board participates in strategic planning led by Camoin Associates.
Comprehensive platform replaces 2016 Agenda for Ohio, first strategic plan since 2015
AKRON, OHIO – TUESDAY, October 14, 2025 – The Ohio Economic Development Association (OEDA) Board of Directors met in Akron on October 14 to advance the profession’s next decade of growth and impact—adopting a new, comprehensive Policy Platform (the association’s first since 2016), affirming an updated Economic Development for All statement, welcoming new Board members, and launching OEDA’s first strategic planning process since 2015 with Camoin Associates.
“These actions reflect who we are and where we’re going as a profession,” said Thomas Winston, OEDA Board Chair and President & CEO of the Toledo–Lucas County Port Authority. “We’re aligning on policy, committing to inclusion, and sharpening our strategy so Ohio’s economic development network remains the strongest in the nation.”
2026 Policy Platform: Comprehensive Direction for the Year Ahead
OEDA adopted a comprehensive 2026 Policy Platform (PDF), replacing the prior five-paragraph agenda with a one-year framework that sets clear priorities across four themes: Strong Foundations, Competitive Communities, Competitive Tools, and the Future Economy.
2026 Policy Platform, at a glance
- Strong Foundations: Support Ohio’s collaborative model; put practitioners at the policy table.
- Competitive Communities: Make place a driver of prosperity; invest in infrastructure & energy; build homes working Ohioans can afford; reuse what’s built.
- Competitive Tools: Prepare sites and buildings before demand; keep incentives active, effective & fair.
- Future Economy: Align education, talent & opportunity; spark innovation and entrepreneurship statewide.
“This platform represents a clear, unified vision for strengthening Ohio’s economy and communities,” said Chris Singerling, Chair of OEDA’s Government Affairs Committee and Executive Director of the Ottawa County Improvement Corporation. “It reflects the voice of professionals from every region of Ohio who are on the front lines of economic development. Together, we’re setting the direction for the next decade of growth.”
Economic Development for All: A Holistic Profession
The Board also adopted OEDA’s Statement on Economic Development for All (PDF), a concise framework that commits the association to inclusive prosperity across Ohio—supporting all types of EDOs, broadening the scope of practice, elevating representative leadership and a welcoming profession, and lowering barriers to participation statewide.
“Economic Development for All turns our values into standards for action,” said Renee Ligon, Managing Director of Partnerships and Engagement for Team NEO and Chair of OEDA’s Inclusive Economic Development Committee. “It shows how we serve communities, strengthen the ecosystem, grow our talent, and open doors—so more Ohioans can share in growth.”
Dan Gundersen, Senior Vice President & Principal at Camoin Associates, praised the statement’s clarity and ambition. “OEDA’s Economic Development for All statement is a milestone for the profession. I haven’t seen another state association—and very few EDOs—achieve this level of clarity and unity of purpose. It embraces a more integrated approach, where economic developers work across the broader civic infrastructure to strengthen the entire ecosystem.”
Strategic Planning Underway with Camoin Associates
OEDA launched its first strategic planning process since 2015 on September 12 and advanced that work with an in-person Board Strategic Planning Work Session on October 14 at Bounce Innovation Hub—an important milestone designed to assess core functions, strengthen organizational resiliency, and define what “best-in-class” looks like for the association.
“We’re excited to partner with OEDA to shape a forward-looking, member-driven plan,” said Lindsay Johnson, Director of Strategic Planning at Camoin Associates. “Our focus is helping OEDA define what ‘best in class’ looks like—and building a practical roadmap to get there.”
New Board Appointments
The Board also welcomed two new members:
- Brian Beaudry, Vice President of Project Management, REDI Cincinnati
- Toni Overholser, Director of Workforce Development, Dayton Development Coalition
Both bring regional experience, deep networks, and a shared commitment to advancing OEDA’s mission statewide.
Together, these actions reflect OEDA’s focus on excellence, inclusion, and forward-looking leadership. The association will continue its strategic planning work through 2026 to strengthen its role as Ohio’s home for economic development professionals and the voice of the profession statewide.
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Media Contact: Amanda Miller, Marketing & Engagement Manager, amiller@ohioeda.com, 419.910.1182
About the Ohio Economic Development Association
The Ohio Economic Development Association (OEDA) is the statewide professional association for economic developers and their partners, advancing the practice of economic development through education, advocacy, and collaboration. OEDA offers the Ohio Economic Development Institute (OEDI)—including the nation’s largest Basic Economic Development Course—and serves more than 900 members across every region of the state.