Workshop to discuss growth for Ohio's core cities, first suburbs

The Brookings Institution Metropolitan Policy Program and the Greater Ohio Policy Center will host the Summit on Restoring Prosperity to Ohio at the Greater Columbus Convention Center, and local representatives are expected to attend.

As an outgrowth of Brookings' Restoring Prosperity: The State Role in Revitalizing America's Older Industrial Cities, launched in May 2007, the summit is the centerpiece of a multi-year research, policy development, and networking effort to revitalize Ohio's core communities and the state's economy by mobilizing leaders behind an asset-oriented agenda.

Speakers will include Governor Ted Strickland, Lieutenant Governor Lee Fisher, and Bruce Katz, vice president and director of the Brookings metropolitan program.

Andy Dobson, senior planner with the Hamilton County Regional Planning Commission (HCRPC), plans to attend the workshop with several mayors and administrators from the older suburban communities of Hamilton County.

They will join colleagues from Dayton, Cleveland and Columbus in representing the Ohio First Suburbs Consortium (OFSC) and making sure that their ideas are heard.

"This group advocates for redevelopment and revitalization of older suburbs across the state," Dobson says.  "OFSC's work over the last few years includes a statewide policy agenda, a proposal for dedicated redevelopment fund, and educating legislators and administrators about issues facing our communities."

Presentations and breakout sessions will allow attendees the opportunity to review, evaluate, and refine a set of recommendations in key areas such as economic development, transportation investments, workforce development, and neighborhood revitalization.

Writer: Kevin LeMaster
Source: Andy Dobson, senior planner, HCRPC