Once implemented, the Regional Prosperity Initiative will provide the structure for region-wide land use planning and new growth revenue sharing in the 16-county Northeast Ohio region. In short, it will allow our region to plan, share and grow…together!
With the support of the NEOM&CMA, we continue to plan, coordinate, discuss and present our findings in preparation for 2009’s push to develop the needed policies and their subsequent implementation. There have also been multiple endorsements and offers of aid and support. Several include a letter of support and endorsement for the Ohio Planning Conference - Akron Section (June 24); the Northeast Ohio City Council Association (NOCCA) vote of support and endorsement (September 27); the Fund for Our Economic Future approval of a major grant in support and endorsement for Phase II (October 8); a letter of support from Akron Metropolitan Area Transportation (AMATS) MPO Director, Jason Segedy (October 24); and the Mahoning Valley Regional Chamber vote of support and endorsement (October 27). There have since been many other individuals and organizations eager to learn more about our cooperative efforts and the ways that the Regional Prosperity Initiative will positively affect their respective communities and all of Northeast Ohio.
An expanded Phase II Steering Committee has been implemented along with six sub-committees. They are as follows: the Land Use Planning Drill Down Team; the New Growth Revenue Sharing Drill Down Team; the State Enabling Legislation Drill Down Team; the Engagement Mobilization Team; the Communications Team; and the Fundraising/Finance Team. This structure is further illustrated by the organizational chart below.
In addition to the chairs and vice-chairs of each sub-committee, there are a number of sub-committee members. In order to assure broad-based input, these individuals were drawn from throughout the Northeast Ohio region and represent many disciplines. While we acknowledge that this is an enormous amount of work, we also are convinced that it is all necessary to prepare Northeast Ohio for a future of sustainable regional prosperity for everyone.
Recently, I was moved by an editorial in the Jan. 18 issue of The Plain Dealer titled “A Vision for Regional Vitality.” To quote its author, the Very Reverend Tracey Lind, Dean of Trinity Cathedral, “We still have the chance to realize a new vision for our region. But we need new conversation, new collaboration and new cooperation among people who haven’t talked with one another, people who don’t know each other and people who might not trust each other. We need to acknowledge our problems without blame or shame and promote solutions based on sustainable, collaborative and creative economic development, public policy and social capital.”
I believe that Very Reverend Lind has discovered the very same idea that the mayors and city managers of Northeast Ohio are boldly attempting to accomplish as we help provide the leadership to take Northeast Ohio to its more prosperous future.
Please come join us in the NEOM&CMA’s Regional Prosperity Initiative. To learn more about this important initiative, visit www.neo-rpi.org. Become part of the solution to strengthen our region and always keep in mind that…
Northeast Ohio is The HEART
of the Quality of Life Belt.
“Share the Vision.
Become Part of the Solution.”
To learn more about joining the NEOM&CMA, or about its efforts throughout the region, please contact Mayor William A. Currin via e-mail at WACurrin@Hudson.OH.US or call him at 330-342-1795. NEO
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