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Greater Ohio Policy Center @greaterohio.org · 15h

Days after the Governor's property tax panel released its report, House lawmakers have voted on two proposals aimed at addressing property tax concerns. www.statenews.org/government-p...

Greater Ohio Policy Center @greaterohio.org · 1d

Communities know there are many benefits to doing residential in-fill development. But such projects can be hard to finance and build. It's great to see Cleveland Heights partnering with local groups like Future Heights CDC to address housing where its needed most. www.cleveland.com/community/20...

Cleveland Heights council approves sale of 65 vacant lots for infill housing

In all, the initiative adds up to about one-third of the 175 vacant lots the city owns, giving the developers three years to acquire the lots and five years to build on them.

www.cleveland.com

Greater Ohio Policy Center @greaterohio.org · 2d

The panel charged by Governor DeWine to produce proposals on how to address property tax reform released a report with 20 recommendations on the deadline date of September 30. What's next for property tax reform in Ohio now that the panel has completed its work?
www.greaterohio.org/blog/2025/10...

Governor's Property Tax Working Group Submits 20 Recommendations for Reform — Greater Ohio Policy Center

Members of the Ohio General Assembly have expressed skepticism about the Property Tax Working Group’s recommendations, arguing that their own work on the Joint Committee on Property Tax Review and Ref...

www.greaterohio.org

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Greater Ohio Policy Center @greaterohio.org · 3d

Last chance to register.

Join us this Thursday, October 9 for "Innovative Approaches to Preserving & Expanding Homeownership. The webinar kicks-off at 2pm. Registration is free, but space is limited, so sign-up now. www.greaterohio.org/upcoming-eve...

Innovative Approaches to Preserving and Expanding Homeownership — Greater Ohio Policy Center

Homeownership is becoming harder to achieve everywhere as demand outpaces supply. But housing and neighborhood nonprofits are using a variety of tools—some complex and some simple--to preserve and exp...

www.greaterohio.org

Greater Ohio Policy Center @greaterohio.org · 6d

The Hub District for the City of Xenia is a great example of how greenways can spur placemaking and walkable, mixed-use development. The Hub District is a key part of Xenia’s new 10-year plan, neXtPlan, recently won the 2025 Comprehensive Plan Award from APA Ohio.

CNU Legacy Project recognized, moving forward

A plan from CNU 32, involving a Hub District at a confluence of greenways in Xenia, a small city northeast of Cincinnati, is having an impact.

www.cnu.org

Greater Ohio Policy Center @greaterohio.org · 7d

Join ODOT at one of the following workshops or open houses to give feedback on proposed strategies for Access Ohio 2050, the state’s long-range transportation plan. Meetings will be in Toledo, Lima and Dayton next week, with more later this month. www.transportation.ohio.gov/programs/acc...

Greater Ohio Policy Center @greaterohio.org · 8d

If your city wants to beat the housing crisis, it needs more incremental developers. If it wants more incremental developers, it needs to make building easier. @strongtowns.org worked w/ dozens of developers, elected officials & municipal staffers to figure out how. drive.google.com/file/d/1Wpa8...

Greater Ohio Policy Center @greaterohio.org · 9d

If you’ve been watching Apple TV’s Platonic, then you have likely heard the term “ADU” a number of times. While this Midwest urban planner was very excited to hear a timely reference to accessory dwelling units, others may be wondering, what's an ADU? www.greaterohio.org/blog/2025/9/...

Alternative Housing Types As Seen On T.V. — Greater Ohio Policy Center

If you’ve been watching Apple TV’s Platonic , starring Seth Rogan and Rose Byrne, then you have likely heard the term “ADU” a number of times. While this Midwest urban planner was very excited to hea...

www.greaterohio.org

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Greater Ohio Policy Center @greaterohio.org · 10d

On Thursday, October 9 from 2:00 - 3:15pm GOPC will host Innovative Approaches to Preserving and Expanding Homeownership (sponsored by JPMorganChase). The webinar is free, but space will be limited, so be sure to sign-up now and reserve your spot. us02web.zoom.us/meeting/regi...

Greater Ohio Policy Center @greaterohio.org · 13d

Register now to attend the Opportunity Zones (OZ) 2.0 Launch Event, the first in a national series hosted by HUD and federal partners to help communities prepare for the next generation of OZ designations and investments. The event is hybrid and begins at 2pm EDT.
forms.office.com/pages/respon...

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Greater Ohio Policy Center @greaterohio.org · 14d

GOPC staff providing a legislative update on all the happening at the Ohio Statehouse to the attendees at the APA Ohio Statewide policy conference

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Greater Ohio Policy Center @greaterohio.org · 14d

OPC is on the road today in Toledo facilitating three breakout sessions at the @APAOhio Statewide policy conference. First up, Exploratory Scenario Planning, what it is and how it is helping Ohio Communities.

Greater Ohio Policy Center @greaterohio.org · 15d

Well that about wraps things up for this month’s #OhioCommunitySpotlight thread. Be sure to join again next month as we shine a light on another resilient Ohio community!

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media.tenor.com

Greater Ohio Policy Center @greaterohio.org · 15d

Today, the black squirrel is a Kent and KSU icon, and even has its own festival www.kent.edu/today/news/f...

IN A FLASH: An Official Celebration of Our Unofficial Mascot

Kent State's Annual Black Squirrel Festival is happening from 4-7 p.m. on Friday, Sept. 12, on Risman Plaza.

www.kent.edu

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Greater Ohio Policy Center @greaterohio.org · 15d

Kent’s most famous residents are not people at all, but the Black Squirrels who arrived on campus from Canada in 1961.

Originally brought to campus to reintroduce the species to the region, the original 10 released in 1961 had grown to 150 by 1964.

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Greater Ohio Policy Center @greaterohio.org · 15d

Other celebrations include Earth Day, Diagon Alley, a Harry Potter-themed celebration held in late July, and the Kent Rainbow Weekend, the city’s annual, Pride festival held in October

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media.tenor.com

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Greater Ohio Policy Center @greaterohio.org · 15d

The Kent Heritage Festival is held every July in the downtown area to coincide with Independence Day. The festival includes crafts, booths, entertainment, train rides, 5K & 10K races + fireworks, drawing approximately 25,000 people each year

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Greater Ohio Policy Center @greaterohio.org · 15d

Culture & community shine in Kent.

The community boasts 20+ parks lined with trails and riverwalks and has a thriving arts scene with Kent State having hosted students-turned celebs including Drew Carey, Arsenio Hall, Michael Keaton, Joe Walsh and Chrissie Hynde

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Greater Ohio Policy Center @greaterohio.org · 15d

These revitalization efforts attracted attention from local and national media & helped earn the city the 2013 Larry Abernathy Award from the International Town-Gown Association in recognition of the positive cooperation and collaboration efforts.
itga.org/index.php/aw...

Past Awards

itga.org

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Greater Ohio Policy Center @greaterohio.org · 15d

The multimodal transfer station includes a bus transfer area, bike parking, transit parking & other features. This project was one of the first recipients in Ohio of a federal USDOT funds for transformative multi-modal projects.

Kent, Ohio's PARTA receives $20M TIGER grant

The new multimodal, regional facility is expected to be completed in October 2012.

www.metro-magazine.com

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Greater Ohio Policy Center @greaterohio.org · 15d

Other projects have included a 360-space parking deck & multimodal transfer station, a hotel/conference center, and three separate mixed-use buildings, a renovation of the historic 1920s Kent Hotel, and a building featuring microapartments.

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Greater Ohio Policy Center @greaterohio.org · 15d

Among the efforts was the Phoenix Project, a privately-financed renovation and expansion project of a commercial space along East Main Street.

The Phoenix Project include the construction of a pedestrian alleyway lines with small shops known as Acorn Alley.

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Greater Ohio Policy Center @greaterohio.org · 15d

Since 2008, several redevelopment projects in the downtown area of Kent have been initiated with the goal of reinvesting in the city’s urban core.

This work has resulted in nearly $110M in total investment from public and private sources.

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Greater Ohio Policy Center @greaterohio.org · 15d

Today, Kent’s economy centers on education, health, manufacturing, and other services.

Top employers:

– Kent State University
– Davey Tree
– UH Portage Medical
– Land O’Lakes

And there is a growing startup scene via university incubators.

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media.tenor.com

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Greater Ohio Policy Center @greaterohio.org · 15d

Tragedy struck Kent on May 4, 1970.

During a Vietnam War protest, the Ohio National Guard opened fire, killing 4 students. The campus is now a National Historic Landmark with memorials and museums.

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