Thank You OEDI Capstone Mentors!
OEDA would like to take this opportunity to thank the following individuals who served as mentors for the first cohort of Ohio CED candidates:
- Greg Davis, Ohio State University Extension
- Harry Eadon, Economic Development & Finance Alliance of Tuscawaras County
- Jeremiah Gracia, City of Dublin
- Anthony Jones, City of Gahanna
- Chris Lipson, City of Dayton
- Lisa Patt McDaniel, Workforce Development Board of Central Ohio
- David Zak, Tiffin-Seneca Economic Partnership
Capstone Mentors provide invaluable insight and guidance to Ohio CED certification candidates. In addition to the support from OEDI / Ohio University staff, each Ohio CED candidate approved to enroll in a Capstone Project cohort is assigned a Capstone Mentor who will be available to provide advice, counsel, and technical assistance during the six-month cohort period.
Each mentor is a highly regarded economic development professional and also recognized as a subject matter expert in specific areas of economic development. Capstone Mentors are committed to giving back to the profession and helping develop future generations of economic development leaders. Mentors volunteer approximately 10-15 hours during the six month cohort period.
“The Capstone Mentors are one of the most important pieces of the certification,” Mark Barbash, OEDA Professional Development Chairperson, said. “The advice, counsel and technical assistance that they provide exponentially enhances the learning experience. Mentors really are an invaluable resource to the certification candidates.”
Barbash noted that there are still opportunities to participate in the Capstone Mentoring program. Experienced economic developers who are able to commit 2-3 hours per month during the six month cohort period are encouraged to contact him at mark.barbash@gmail.com.
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 more