Back Row: Jason Warner, Meg Montgomery, Erica Spaid Patras, Lindsey Elam
Front Row: Alison Goebel, Maria Walliser-Wejebe, Aaron Clapper
Dear Friends,
Happy Holidays from everyone at the Greater Ohio Policy Center!
We have had a busy year pursuing our mission to improve the communities of Ohio through smart growth strategies and research. Here’s some of the work that we are most proud of:
Achieved Policy Wins
Our efforts, along with many others, resulted in $140 million over the next two years for transit agencies across the state. GOPC was a leading voice calling for more state funding for public transportation through multiple testimonies and a TV appearance.
We have been the primary force behind HB168, a bill that addresses an important regulatory gap in Ohio’s brownfield redevelopment policy. The House of Representatives unanimously approved the bill in May and we expect the bill to go to the Governor’s desk in early 2020. After the bill goes into effect, many more lightly contaminated sites statewide will be redeveloped.
Provided Tools to Ohio’s Communities
Nearly 275 leaders from Ohio and beyond attended our 2019 Policy Summit, which showcased emerging best practices for supporting sustainable growth in Ohio.
The Reinvention Cities Network, a peer-learning group, continued to grow in membership and participation this year; the Network also hosted a popular webinar on how to seek funding through the state’s capital budget.
GOPC unveiled the Good Ideas Initiative, an online resource highlighting smart growth in action around Ohio. These stories have caught the attention of many, are are being reprinted in local papers around the state.
Additionally, GOPC, in partnership with the National Resource Network, Arnold Ventures, and Just Transition Fund, launched the Ohio State Resource Network, which will provide technical assistance to 4-5 communities in 2020.
Helped Ohio Make Data-Driven Decisions
We continued to undertake original research throughout the year to help inform members of our four communities of practice: the Affordable Housing Learning Exchange, the Ohio CDFI Network, the Reinvention Cities Network, and the Revitalization Steering Committee. Additionally, the city of Springfield, Columbus Foundation, and NeighborWorks Collaborative of Ohio sought our expertise to help them better understand the services they provide and might provide in the future.
GOPC’s Impact Recognized
Our work with and on behalf of Ohio’s communities has not gone unnoticed. In 2019, we were honored with the prestigious William J. Graves Ohio Housing Excellence Award by Ohio Capital Corporation for Housing and the Ohio Housing Finance Agency, in recognition of our work to strengthen Ohio’s communities.
If you too 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 2020, 
Alison Goebel and the GOPC Team |
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