OCCD Winter Meeting 2025

When I started to think about the January meeting’s agenda, I knew I wanted the focus to be on how our work as community development and housing professionals in Ohio offer opportunities for the residents we serve. With a new year and a new presidential term upon us I know in my work I am looking forward to new challenges to come with unknown, anticipated changes. With those challenges come opportunities for professional growth. I’ll admit I have a bit of anxiety about what’s to come but I feel the best way to prepare is by educating ourselves and embracing new thought processes and approaches to our work. The agenda we’ve prepared for the OCCD January meeting will offer lots of knowledge-sharing and expertise, with which I hope members can arm themselves in our work as community development professionals in this new year.

Our first speaker on the morning of the 29^th is Dr. Bill Lafayette. Dr. Lafayette is a respected expert in economic development and workforce strategy, economic impact analysis, economic and demographic analysis, and fiscal analysis. His comments often share surprisingly alternative data and information to what is presented in the news and by politicians. Dr. Lafayette will focus on the State’s economic development regions including big cities and small towns, and will highlight the differences from one region to another. He will spend time on manufacturing, which is the one common theme statewide. He will also share some recommendations for strengthening our communities and Ohio’s economy, more broadly.

Next, staff from the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development Office of Block Grant Assistance will share information about the Section 108 Loan Guarantee Program. Section 108 provides Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) recipients with the ability to leverage their annual grant allocation to access low-cost, flexible financing for economic development, housing, public facilities, and infrastructure projects.

Our final speakers for Wednesday are friends of mine from the City of Columbus Department of Neighborhoods. Deputy Director Todd Dieffenderfer and Community Relations Coordinator Lindora Howard-Diawara will share about the City’s New American Leadership Academy (NALA), a leadership and professional development program focused on civic engagement for New American residents. Participants receive mentorship, professional development and learn about topics such as government, civic responsibility, and implicit bias. NALA has had success in our City implementing practical strategies in building inclusive and empowered communities for all. The presentation will offer inspirational stories about the New American Program as well as how to effectively build partnerships among different constituents.

We will close Wednesday with our OCCD business meeting.

On Thursday, we’ll begin the day with a presentation from staff from the Environmental Design Group (EDG). EDG will discuss best practices and capital opportunities for pedestrian safety and outreach strategies for your future community development projects. 

Next, the esteemed Anthony E. Core, Principal, Squire Patton Boggs will share a State House legislative update.

We’ll close our January meeting with a presentation from Horton H. Hobbs IV, Vice President of Economic Development, Greater Springfield Partnership. Springfield, Ohio played a surprising part in the 2024 presidential election. I asked Mr. Hobbs to speak to us about Springfield’s community and economic development opportunities, housing and demographic trends, and recent national attention.

It continues to be the OCCD Board of Directors’ goal to offer meetings which benefit our diverse membership, and speak to current opportunities and challenges. It’s clear that our distinct  membership represents communities of varied populations facing different hurdles and embracing an array of opportunities. I’m challenged by this as I work to create agendas for our meetings in 2025, with the goal of guiding members around and over hurdles and presenting opportunities and partnerships as they become available. OCCD is a fantastic way for us to learn together and from each other. Please feel free to reach out to me with ideas for presentations at future meetings. Our meeting in January is virtual and I am excited that in April we will meet in person in downtown Columbus, Ohio. You may also want to mark your calendars for the National Community Development Association Region 5 Conference and Training also taking place in downtown Columbus the week of April 21^st. Much of the focus of the event will be Environmental Review Record compliance and procedures. I hope you all enjoy our January meeting and have a Happy New Year.

Lucie McMahon, Vice President, OCCD