Central Ohio’s Comprehensive Economic Development Strategy Available for Public Review - MORPC

September 9, 2021

Comments due by Oct. 9, 2021

The Mid-Ohio Regional Planning Commission is seeking public comments on the 2021 draft update to the Columbus Region’s Comprehensive Economic Development Strategy (CEDS).

A CEDS serves as a strategic blueprint for economic and community development across the region.

“Together with our partners – One Columbus, the Mid-Ohio Development Exchange, and many others around the region – our goal is to make the Columbus Region the most prosperous one in the country. Having a completed CEDS will unlock important, new federal tools and funding sources and ensure the region is prepared for transformational economic development opportunities.”

MORPC Executive Director William Murdock

The U.S. Economic Development Administration awarded MORPC with a $400,000 grant in May to update the strategy. A strategy committee of county economic developers, private sector representatives, transit agencies, higher education, and workforce development stakeholders began meeting to further develop the CEDS.

The CEDS includes actions on topics such as infrastructure investment, housing, broadband, mobility, and more. Through it, the 11-county region will be further able to:

Align regional goals to meet EDA requirements and provide an economic assessment
Streamline resources to analyze and consider new opportunities for regional economic development funding
Plan for, respond to, and recover from economic shocks and displacement
Attract more federal funding and technical assistance

“Community development strategies are vital to improving the quality of life of Central Ohio residents – especially as the region continues to grow. That’s why it’s important for us to engage the community and provide residents and businesses with the opportunity to provide us with feedback before finalizing the strategy.”

MORPC Economic Development & Infrastructure Officer Ted Geer

The draft 2021 CEDS document is now available for public review and comment at morpc.org and can be accessed here.

Comments may be submitted by e-mail to tgeer@morpc.org or to: Ted Geer, MORPC, 111 Liberty Street, Suite 100, Columbus, OH 43215. The deadline to submit feedback is 5 p.m. on Saturday, Oct. 9, 2021.

The final CEDS document will be submitted to the U.S. Economic Development Administration for adoption. With a completed CEDS, the Columbus Region will apply for economic development district (EDD) designation, making available key tools and federal funding sources.

More information on comprehensive economic development strategies is available here.