Opportunity Area #23 – Pursue an Economic Development Strategy That Carries Our Region Forward

Since the 2014 update of the SRPP, REDI Cincinnati has been working to foster a 16-county partnership described as a coalition of economic development experts, top businesses and community leaders serving as a first point of contact for companies considering location or growth in the region. REDI Cincinnati is currently the largest economic development agency in the region.

BE NKY Growth Partnership serves to foster regional cooperation among Boone, Campbell, and Kenton counties and currently focuses on four industry clusters including, advanced manufacturing, life sciences, information technology, and supply chain management and support services.

In addition to these regional economic development organizations, local government, municipal and county economic development departments and organizations exist to directly serve several of the region’s communities.

Policy Recommendations

23.A Strive for better coordination among economic development organizations to leverage resources, data intelligence, and reducing competition.

23.B Position the region as a global destination for investment by promoting bold visions and leveraging existing assets including our abundant water resources with enormous domestic and international freight potential via a major waterway and diverse and abundant educational institutions.

23.C Local comprehensive plans should support coordinated economic development by encouraging the location of new or expanded business in areas currently served by public facilities and services and transit or in areas that are planned for infrastructure and service expansion.

23.D Local comprehensive plans should support clusters of related industries and businesses that export outside the region and have strong positive economic impacts, as identified through research at the regional level.

23.E Promote the integration of work/life balance solutions into local comprehensive planning by recognizing resident and business work routines and complementary supporting amenities including infrastructure needs, childcare needs, and common workspace requirements.