Mobilizing Community Leadership For Economic Development Bonnie K. Norris OSU Extension Agent Ag, Natural Resources, & Community Development

Economic Development = Create Wealth Climate Creation Business People Business Government Taxes Incentives Infrastructure

Building a Community Is like building a business or successful personal future or family. It requires: –Knowledge –Vision –Perseverance –Planning

CEDS = A roadmap to the county’s vision

A CEDS is the result of a local planning process designed to guide the economic growth of an area. The CEDS must be the result of a continuing economic development process, developed with broad-based and diverse community participation.

A CEDS must contain: An analysis of economic and community development problems and opportunities including incorporation of any relevant material or suggestions from other government sponsored or supported plans Background and history of the economic development situation of the area covered, with a discussion of the economy, including as appropriate, geography, population, labor force, resources, and the environment;

A CEDS must contain: a discussion of community participation; a section setting forth goals and objectives for taking advantage of the opportunities and solving economic development problems of the area serviced; a plan of action, including suggested projects to implement objectives and goals set forth in the strategy, and

A CEDS must contain: Performance measures that will be used to evaluate whether and to what extent goals and objectives have been or are being met.

Why do a CEDS process? Formulate and implement a program that: –creates jobs –raises income levels, –diversifies the economy –improves the quality of life, –while protecting the environment.

In Short: Each CEDS is unique, reflecting specific challenges and opportunities of its area. It should contain four main elements: –Analysis –Vision –Action Plan –Evaluation

Analysis should assess: the state of the regional economy, the opportunities and threats posed by external trends and forces, and the availability of partners and resources for economic development.

Preble County CEDS The CEDS Steering Committee: Completed a S.W.O.T. Analysis Distributed Community Attributes Questionnaire to:191 elected/appointed officials 33 planning board members 97 local business leaders Completed the Analysis, Vision, Action Strategies, and Project Priority List

Assets & Hurdles Quality Of Life Schools & Higher Education Available Utilities County Zoning & Planning 90 Market Infrastructure Open Spaces Communication between government offices/ officials/ citizens Career Opportunities for future leaders Attitude toward development Marketing the county Designated Dev. Areas High Tech Jobs

Analysis Population: 42,337, a 5.3% increase projected to grow 18.7% Median Age is 38 vs. 36 OH, 37 Darke, 34 Butler, & 36 Montgomery Townships grew more than Villages

Analysis Median Household Income = $42,093 Highest Median & Per Capita Income in Gasper Township Employment : –Average weekly earnings $ vs $618 OH –Roughly 30% of jobs in manufacturing –Unemployment rate 5.2% vs 5% OH

Analysis Agriculture: –977 farms, decreased 8.5% –202 acres average size, increased –$65,457,000 in cash receipts Housing: –78.9% Ownership Rate vs. 69.1% OH –Homes 63 years of age or older make up the largest number (5,184)

Analysis: Education

Vision The community’s vision and goals, together with an appraisal of the region’s competitive advantage, should set the strategic direction for the action plan. Vision was formed from SWOT, analysis, and values.

Action Plan Establishes program priorities for implementation. Basic Assumptions –Population will increase –Areas for growth will be Eaton, Gasper Township, and those along major highway access –Median income in growth areas increase –More commuters –An organized development entity formed –Comprehensive Land Use Plan Followed

Strategic Actions Support and encourage industrial investment that will keep workers in the community and that will provide jobs for future generations. Support and encourage commercial investment in areas that will serve two populations—local residents and those visiting the community. Support and encourage residential investment that will meet the housing needs of a diverse interests.

Strategic Actions Educate local units of government on the importance of developing and maintaining a current Capital Improvements Plan and a Capital budget. Embrace and encourage an ongoing and continuous process of countywide community planning. Coordinate the community development efforts undertaken by the Preble County CIC, Commissioners, Township Trustees, City and Village Officials, and Schools.

Strategic Actions Improve upon the working relationship and partnership with community elected and appointed officials and community planning and zoning boards to help facilitate economic development planning. Improve upon the relationship with the private sector, especially developers, landowners, financial institutions, and utility companies to more effectively use local resources to attract business and industry.

Strategic Actions Facilitate the development of relationships among employers, community officials, and educational institutions to improve the quality of schools and assist in lifelong learning. Implement a revolving loan fund to provide financial assistance to local entrepreneurial efforts and new and expanding small businesses.

Evaluation The CEDS established criteria and performance measures for evaluating the process and for periodic updates of the document. Areas of Evaluation: –Job Retention and Job Creation –Increased Tax Base –Communications & Marketing –Infrastructure & Utilities

Project Priorities Construct Water and Sewer lines to serve the Ohio Exit 10, State Route 127 and Interstate 70 interchange area. Construction of bi-directional access at I-70 and US 35, Exit 1, Route 40 Corridor development Extend water and sewer lines from Eaton, Southwest along State Route 732.

Projects Managed and improved housing. Extension of water and sewer lines on the West Side of Lewisburg and West on US 40. Construction of a by-pass around downtown Lewisburg would also support a development corridor. Construction of water, sewer and rail lines for the construction of an ethanol plant and industrial park in Jackson Township.

Implementation County Resolution & submission to EDA Complete the County Webpage Organize a round table discussion with the county’s elected officials Create a good Economic Development Office Complete an annual review Utilize the Document

Thank you. The entire document can be viewed at state.edu/~preb/cd/cd.htm

Preble County To learn more about Preble County, visit The county’s webpage OSU’s County website