Economic Development

Transportation Funding Prioritization Process

Each year, OKI evaluates the criteria used to rank and prioritize transportation funding requests for projects within the Metropolitan Transportation Plan. Periodically, updates are made to improve project selections and to advance long range planning objectives such as SRPP policy recommendations. In 2016, OKI introduced new economic development criteria to the project prioritization process used to select projects for federal funding awards. This criterion factors the number of jobs located within ½ mile of a proposed project and considers any new job creation and/or real capital investment resulting from the built project within the project area.

OKI Freight Plan

In 2023, OKI adopted the current OKI Freight Plan. This plan is a systematic examination of current and future conditions related to the movement of goods in, out and within the region across all five freight modes (road, rail, river, air and pipeline) and the surface transportation recommendations and investments needed to ensure its continued performance and regional benefit to 2050. This plan recognizes the potential of technological advancements as we look to the challenges for the future of freight movement demand including increases in autonomous vehicles increasing safety and efficiency, increasing interconnectivity with river modes as volumes increase and as water levels are less predictable, vertical take-off capabilities at local airfields for increasing role in last-mile parcel delivery, and larger pipeline capacity needs as cleaner, more environmentally sustainable resources are demanded.

OKI continues to provide technical support as appropriate to the Cincinnati/Northern Kentucky International Airport (CVG) as they work to improve energy efficiencies of their internal mobility systems and plan for the future utilization of Sustainable Aviation Fuels (SAF). This includes supporting federal grant proposals to advance these technologies.

Guidance and Technical Assistance

Tools, research and resources related to the Comprehensive Planning and Land Use Planning are available as a service to local government in the region. OKI staff are available to provide technical assistance for specific local planning needs and projects as resources permit.

Ohio EPA Southwest Ohio Water Study (Pending)

In 2024, OKI began supporting the Ohio Environmental Protection Agency and Department of Natural Resources as they study the water capacity for southwest Ohio. Their study encompasses 17 counties including Butler, Clermont, Hamilton and Warren. Similar to their study being conducted in Central Ohio, the purpose of the study will be to more accurately quantify regional water use and demand for irrigation, safe drinking water and industrial water. It will look at the current utility capacity for both drinking and wastewater, as well as quantify aquifer reservoir and Ohio River capacity.

WateReuse Ohio

In March 2024, Ohio became the first state in the Midwest to join the WateReuse Association. As water needs for growing industry and community development increase, considerations for better utilizing water resources across the region are critical. Participation in this organization gains access to lessons learned, best management practices, and expertise of new technologies for integrating non-potable reclaimed water (purple pipe) systems where appropriate and applicable.

Climate Action Planning – ThriveTogether

With funding from the US EPA, OKI is leading a regional partnership to prepare a climate action plan through 2025 called ThriveTogether – A Sustainability Playbook for Greater Cincinnati. This plan includes workforce development strategies to expand upon, attract new and retain existing talent in green energy fields.