About the Academy
As the Central Ohio region experiences significant economic and population growth, community leaders and public officials are being called on to play a closer role in shaping their community’s future. MORPC’s new Regional Economic Development Academy is a one-of-a-kind training program designed to enhance your foundational knowledge of economic development tools and programs. Participants will learn from practitioners and specialists through in-person instruction, real-world case studies, and interactive exercises to better understand economic development strategies and how to use the knowledge to support their communities.
If you are a public official, school board member, township trustee, planning, and zoning board member, or want to better understand economic development opportunities in Central Ohio, the Academy is for you!
Why Choose Us?
Learn. Build Capacity. Network.
- Central Ohio Focused: Tailor made for Central Ohio communities
- Knowledge: Learn about economic development tools, incentive programs and strategies to help plan for your communities’ economic well-being
- Insights: Gain actionable insights — industry trends, best practices and solutions — through case studies, exercises and instruction
- Networking: Engage and build valuable connections with peers and other professionals in your field
Who is the Academy Designed For?
Interested individuals at all levels of experience may enroll in the Academy. The program will be particularly valuable for:
- Elected and appointed officials and public-sector staff
- School board members
- Township trustees
- Zoning board members
- Funders and staff of neighborhood revitalization organizations
- Staff from state, city and county agencies
- Community leaders and planners
- Economic development professionals
Course Details
All courses will be held at the Mid-Ohio Regional Planning Commission’s (MORPC) Office.
Address: 111 Liberty Street, Suite 100, Columbus OH 43215
Parking is included in the course fees. Please park in a designated “M” spot.
| MORPC Member | Non-MORPC Member |
| $625 for package (ALL 5 classes) | $850 for package (ALL 5 classes) |
There are no prerequisites for attending the Academy. While participants are encouraged to register for all five (5) courses to receive special discounted pricing, individual course pricing (Member: $150/class; Non-MORPC Member: $200/class) is available. Lunch will be provided.
See below for more details on each course.
Course #1: Negotiation of Incentives
Course #1: Negotiation of Incentives
When: August 4, 2026
Where: MORPC Office – 111 Liberty St. Suite 100, Columbus, OH 43215
Time: 9:30 a.m. – 1:30 p.m.
Description: This course will discuss the mechanics of economic development incentives weighed against mitigating risks and advancing public interests. Attendees will learn about identifying the most effective incentive tools, real negotiation techniques and how to measure success.
Instructors:
- Tom Homan, former Delaware City Manager
- Rachel Ray, Economic Development Director, City of Westerville
- Michael Loges, Development Director, City of Groveport
Course #2: Responsible Data Center Development
Course #2: Responsible Data Center Development (in partnership with OEDA)
When: September 22, 2026
Where: MORPC Office – 111 Liberty St. Suite 100, Columbus, OH 43215
Time: 9:30 a.m. – 2:00 p.m.
Description:AI demands and cloud computing have created an explosive growth of data centers across the country. Ohio has over 200 data centers with over half of them in Central Ohio. To maximize informed and transparent decision making, this course will focus on the various considerations that should factor in a community’s choice to advance a data center project. Along with the fiscal impacts of a data center development, this course will provide information on resources communities can leverage and feature two case studies around existing data center projects.
Instructors:
- Miriam Keller, City Planning Executive, City of St. Louis
- Daryl Hennessy, City Administrator, City of Sunbury
- Meagan Niebler, Community Democracy Program Manager, Fair Shake Environmental Legal Services
- Sarah Kelly, Director, planning NEXT
- Mike Jacoby, Managing Director of Economic Development, Bricker Graydon Wyatt
Course #3: Community Engagement Dynamics
Course #3: Community Engagement Dynamics
When: October 14, 2026
Where: MORPC Office – 111 Liberty St. Suite 100, Columbus, OH 43215
Time: 9:30 p.m. – 1:30 p.m.
Description:This course will focus on the common grounds and diverse approaches to community engagement both before and after an economic development project gets underway. You will hear from three experts at the state, region and local levels who will discuss their strategies and tacticsfor sharing information and building trust in their communications with stakeholders and residents across different scenarios.
Instructors:
- Christina O’Keeffe, Executive Director, Ohio Air Quality Development Authority
- Emma Speight, Community Affairs Director, City of Upper Arlington
- Ann Aquillo, Chief Policy Officer, The Columbus Partnership
Course #4: Supply side solutions that fit Central Ohio's Housing Problem
Course #4: Supply side solutions that fit Central Ohio’s Housing Problem
When: November 10, 2026
Where: MORPC Office – 111 Liberty St. Suite 100, Columbus, OH 43215
Time: 9:30 a.m. – 1:30 p.m.
Description: As housing prices continue to strain Central Ohio families’ budgets, MORPC’s Leaders Listen surveys also demonstrated the growing stress these housing costs are placing on the region’s economic development objectives and growth management priorities.
This expert panel of researchers, nonprofit leaders, and housing producers will share the latest data illuminating the scope of the challenge and highlight solutions that have been effective at taming costs and improving efficiency in peer markets. Participants will also join an interactive pro forma simulation to experience the real-life balancing act that’s needed to create workforce housing without breaking the budget.
Instructors:
- Carlie Boos, Executive Director, Affordable Housing Alliance of Central Ohio
- Kelsey Fox, Director of Housing & Community Solutions, United Way of Delaware County
- Samantha Makoski (Senior Manager of Applications & Operational Excellence, The NRP Group
Course #5: Rural Futures
Course #5: Rural Futures
When: December 9, 2026
Where: MORPC Office – 111 Liberty St. Suite 100, Columbus, OH 43215
Time: 9:30 a.m. – 1:30 p.m.
Description: As metropolitan regions such as Columbus continue to expand, outward growth often brings increased development pressure to surrounding communities. One significant consequence of this pressure is the permanent loss of farmland and open space. As historically rural communities confront these challenges, how can they embrace growth as well as rural and agricultural conservation? Attendees will hear from practitioners on ways communities can proactively and intentionally plan for development, along with proven actionable strategies they can employ, to support a harmonious approach and sustainable stewardship of resources.
Instructors:
- Jamie Greene, Principal, planning NEXT
- Matthew Starr, Mayor, City of Mount Vernon
- Jeffrey Fix, Commissioner, Fairfield County