Neutral Facilitation of Planning Processes
Capabilities
CRD serves as a respected, trusted, and neutral convener of economic and community development stakeholders. This is most evident during our State of the Region Conference. Our staff are experienced strategic facilitators and can effectively guide your planning process to produce clear results. CRD offers the dual benefits of regional expertise and impartiality as a facilitator of:
- Planning Processes
- Focus Groups
- Public Meetings
Projects
U.S. 30 Corridor Comprehensive Economic Development Strategy (CEDS)
CRD was awarded an Economic Adjustment Assistance (EAA) grant from the EDA to develop a Comprehensive Economic Development Strategy (CEDS) for the U.S. 30 Corridor, which includes Ashland, Crawford, Richland, and Wyandot Counties in north central Ohio. Each of the four counties partnered with CRD on the grant application and are members of the CEDS Strategy Committee. The CRD team is using its economic development planning capacity to further their long-term economic and community development goals. The Strategy Committee identified stakeholders and community members to serve on a CEDS Community Advisory Committee (CAC). CAC members assist the Strategy Committee by providing valuable insight and input on the strengths, weaknesses, opportunities, and threats (SWOT) analysis that will guide the development of regional economic, community, and workforce development goals and strategies over the next five years.
U.S. 30 Corridor CEDS Strategy Committee
Toledo Region CEDS
CRD received funding from the U.S. Economic Development Administration (EDA) to update a CEDS for a group of three counties in northwest Ohio: Lucas, Wood, and Ottawa. A CEDS is a strategy-driven plan for regional economic development that is the result of a regionally-owned planning process. Regions are required to have a CEDS to be eligible for many EDA assistance programs and must update them, at least, every five years. The CEDS Strategy Committee provided vital guidance and input throughout the process and is comprised of representatives from Lucas, Wood, and Ottawa counties, the City of Toledo, the Regional Growth Partnership, the Toledo Regional Chamber of Commerce, the Toledo-Lucas County Port Authority, and the Greater Toledo Community Foundation. The Strategy Committee developed two formats for the CEDS: a PDF report that goes into detail about the CEDS and a web-based report that provides high-level information regarding the 5-year CEDS. We look forward to implementing the CEDS, which provides a strategic path to economic prosperity and resiliency for the three-county region that takes advantage of the area’s many assets. View the web-based CEDS report. View the full CEDS report. View the EDA Letter of Acceptance of the CEDS.
Village of Crestline CEDS
The CRD team led an effort to develop an initial CEDS for the Village of Crestline. The CEDS provides an important mechanism to coordinate economic development efforts, engage stakeholders, and establish a strategic blueprint for a community or region. Village leaders were referred to CRD, after they reached out to the EDA for assistance, as CRD is the region's EDA University Center. The focus of the EDA University Center program is to support economic development strategies in regions of chronic and acute economic distress. View the full Village of Crestline CEDS report.
Logan County Economic Development Strategy
CRD worked with the Logan County Community Improvement Corporation and other community leaders to develop an Economic Strategy for Logan County. Through comprehensive data analysis and robust public engagement efforts, this project provided Logan County with a thoughtful and inclusive strategy for economic growth. This project was a joint effort between CRD and Ohio University, as part of our shared mission as an EDA University Center.
Williams County 2020: A Health Equity and Economic Strategy
CRD along with a team of researchers from the School of Public and Allied Health at BGSU is working with the Williams County Department of Public Health to develop a health equity focused economic strategy for Williams County. Building on the findings of the 2019 Community Health Needs Assessment (CHNA), this strategy seeks to address the community’s economic development needs from a Social Determinants of Health (SDOH) perspective to build a holistic strategy for long-term community vitality. This project illustrates an integrated approach to rural economic and community development that recognizes the interdependence of social and economic goals.
Updated: 09/26/2022 11:59AM