Evolution of the Ohio Business Retention and Expansion Program

IMPACT. 1: A packaged curriculum has been developed to include three workshops, programmatic templates and turn-key software to support a comprehensive BR&E program on the local or regional level. Marketing materials, including a workbook and brochures, have been professionally developed to promote the program. -- 2. Improve residential quality of life. Establish integrated approach to economic development. Develop community economic decision-making capacity. Develop of a pro-business orientation. Improve community leaders' response to residents' concerns. Create factual basis for attraction and community marketing. Engage community residents in a discussion of their local economy -- 3. Extension Educators have conducted "train the trainer" sessions for colleagues in New York, Indiana and Florida. Florida has committed to incorporating BR&E programs for its Agriculture and Natural Resources Educators and Community Development Educators.OSU PARTNERS: College of Food, Agricultural, and Environmental Sciences; Ohio State University ExtensionCOMMUNITY PARTNERS: Wyandot County Economic Development; Fayette County Commissioners Weinland Park/University District; Van Wert Economic Development Point Place Business Association (Lucas County)PRIMARY CONTACT: David Civittolo ([email protected]); Nancy Bowen ([email protected])Launched in 1986, the Business Retention and Expansion (BR&E) program has worked with economic developers and community leaders in 79 of Ohio's 88 counties, helping them prioritize, plan and implement community development initiatives. After more than 25 years, the program has been credited with creating or retaining thousands of jobs not only in Ohio, but throughout the United States

Ohio Township Trustees\u27 Land Use Planning Knowledge and Practices: A Statewide Survey to Better Target Programmatic Resources

To better meet the educational needs of local officials charged with land use planning, a statewide survey of Ohio township trustees was conducted in fall 2005 to identify: gaps in knowledge; continuing education participation habits; preferences for training and training providers and; familiarity with Extension programs in the area of land use planning. On average, 50% of trustees indicated more knowledge was needed. Nearly 80% had not attended land use planning related training in the past 2 years. As a training provider, Extension was ranked third, and two in 10 respondents were familiar with Extension programs

Extension\u27s Role in Developing a Farmers\u27 Market

Interest in access to local food is increasing. Communities of all types and sizes have volunteers interested in creating farmers\u27 markets. Extension can play an important role in the development of farmers\u27 markets because it is ideally suited to organize and coordinate these volunteer energies. By helping community volunteers focus their efforts, Extension enabled volunteers, community leaders, and residents to realize the benefits of creating a farmers\u27 market. This article discusses a process for developing a community farmers\u27 market and the roles that Extension has played

Strengthening Communities Through an Engaged Citizenry: Opportunities for Extension Programming

Research shows the level and quality of public discourse is a key factor in a community\u27s ability to affect change. Recently conducted Extension research shows that a large proportion of residents do not feel engaged in community decision making. Extension works with a variety of community partners on a daily basis. Targeting programmatic resources in ways that would help improve the level and quality of public discourse could leverage the impact of the many Extension programs we conduct in cooperation with our community partners

Building Sustainability in Gas- and Oil-Producing Communities

Extension can play a significant role in addressing the rapid development and associated impacts that can occur in oil- and gas- producing communities. Through quantitative longitudinal analysis and research-based sustainable planning, Extension can assist rural communities in Ohio to be better equipped to maximize resources, manage change, and make informed decisions affecting their residents. This article provides a framework for an effective program focused on shale development planning and offers a context for massive change taking place in rural communities across the nation