Back Row: Erica Spaid Patras, Jason Warner, Meg Montgomery, John Collier
Front Row: Maria Walliser-Wejebe, Alison Goebel, Aaron Clapper
Dear Friends,
Happy Holidays from everyone at the Greater Ohio Policy Center!
Happy Holidays from all of us at the Greater Ohio Policy Center!
2018 was an exciting year with competitive statewide elections and growing numbers of communities around Ohio charting new paths forward for themselves.
We are proud that local change-makers, the
media, and
debate organizers regularly raised our
priority policy issues with the 2018 gubernatorial candidates. Our fall 2018 white papers on
transit funding and
brownfields redevelopment, and a blog post that argues
community development is economic development offered pragmatic solutions to the major redevelopment challenges in Ohio. Our research will remain relevant as a new Governor and Legislature start their work in 2019.
In 2018 we helped strengthen the
Reinvention Cities Network, which has grown to include more than 100 leaders from 16 small legacy cities in Ohio. The Network released a
Vision for Ohio’s small legacy cities and met three times for peer-learning around revitalization strategies. GOPC research and the efforts of reinvention cities are picking up publicity among
statewide and
nationwide media outlets, representing the challenges and successes of Ohio's legacy communities. As a result of GOPC’s independent
research and consulting expertise, at least three communities are utilizing our
work to create frameworks for reinvention, generate enthusiasm, and build capacity in their communities.
GOPC made promising strides to stabilize distressed neighborhoods and markets and ends 2018 in a strong position for legislative success in 2019. GOPC will be working with legislative champions in the coming year to narrow two pipelines of new blight:
HB598, which modifies Ohio’s forfeited land sales statute and
HB368, which brings sensible reforms to Ohio’s land installment contract law. To spur brownfield redevelopment, GOPC is excited for
HB737, which provides an easier route for prospective buyers to contain legal liabilities related to brownfields.
GOPC continues to create opportunities for peer learning and information exchange between local partners, spearheading collaboration in issue areas of affordable housing, blight mitigation, market rate development, and monitoring
Opportunity Zones.
Coming in 2019… Be sure to join us at the
2019 Greater Ohio Summit: New Perspectives on Revitalization, which will offer ample opportunities to network, learn from peers, and hear about pending policies in the Statehouse, state Agencies, and Governor’s office
. In 2019 we will continue to nurture the growing networks we steward, and deepen our commitment to helping Ohio’s large, medium, and small communities stabilize and revitalize.
If you believe in creating vibrant, sustainable cities and regions in Ohio, consider supporting GOPC
with a year-end contribution. We thank you for your generous support.
All the best for 2019,
Alison Goebel and the GOPC Team 
