Celebrating Economic Development in Clinton County

Economic development is crucial to Clinton County’s growth and prosperity. It encompasses various initiatives, from attracting new businesses to supporting existing ones, creating new job opportunities, and enhancing our community's overall quality of life.

“In the last year, we have a recharged and fully staffed economic development team that is starting to show real impact,” said Alex Beres, Executive Director of the Clinton County Port Authority (CCPA). “Our strategy is to think and act from the inside out by building on the strengths of our existing local companies, infrastructure, and community institutions. This allows us to engage within and outside the county with one voice executing our mission: to attract and expand investment and employment in Clinton County.”

Understanding the Role of CCPA

Economic development is crucial in enhancing Clinton County’s economic well-being, wealth, and overall quality of life. At its core, economic development involves various activities to attract, create, and retain jobs to foster a resilient and growing economy. This collaborative effort requires close coordination between businesses, government entities, and various community stakeholders to achieve sustainable success.

• Business Retention & Expansion (BRE): Support existing businesses to thrive and expand, creating jobs through infrastructure improvements and resource access.
• Marketing & Attraction: Develop and execute campaigns to attract businesses and talent, showcasing community strengths to internal and external audiences.
• Entrepreneurship and Small Business Development: Support small businesses and entrepreneurs with access to capital, space, and technical assistance.
• Real Estate Development: Engage in projects like industrial parks and incubators to stimulate economic growth.
• Incentives: Help businesses access financial services, grants, and incentive programs for growth and expansion.
• Workforce Development: Collaborate with agencies to ensure a skilled talent pool, understanding and addressing company workforce needs.

Driving Economic Development: How CCPA Supports Business Success

Over the past year, CCPA’s Economic Development team has worked to strengthen relationships with the County, the City of Wilmington, and the villages of Blanchester, New Vienna, and Sabina. We’ve lent our technical expertise on everything from infrastructure projects to tax incentives and revolving loan programs. Our continued partnerships benefit businesses throughout the county, from receiving assistance on projects like facility improvements and expansions to winning grants supporting new program development.

We’ve also hosted a variety of events and workshops to educate and help the community as they work to grow their businesses and careers. In partnership with our Economic Development partners, we hosted three events in May, two coinciding with IEDC’s Economic Development Week.

Economic Network Alliance

On May 2, we hosted the Economic Network Alliance, a monthly program of the Wilmington-Clinton County Chamber of Commerce and Clinton County Regional Planning Commission. The event helped educate the community about our work’s scope and highlighted the region’s Economic Development partners. This year, we invited Connor Wyatt, Director of the Clinton County Workforce Development Program through the Southern Ohio Educational Service Center and the Clinton County Workforce Collaborative, to speak about the importance of Workforce Development and the work of Economic Development.

Job & Community Resource Fair

Additionally, on May 8, we helped to host the annual Job & Community Resource Fair during In-Demand Jobs Week. The fair was an opportunity for job seekers to meet over 30 employers under one roof and connect with community agencies that may assist with common barriers to employment.

“We recognize that sometimes it’s not about finding – or not finding – a job, but about having access to the support systems that enable individuals to take a job,” explained Ruth Brindle, Workforce & Data Specialist with the CCPA. “That’s why we included community resource organizations alongside employers at this Job Fair, to provide access to resources like transportation and child care that can equip individuals – and their families – with the services they need to enter the workforce.”

Economic Development Quarterly Investors Forum

To cap off the month, we hosted the second Economic Development Quarterly Investors Forum of 2024. Dr. Bill LaFayette, the owner of Regionomics, a consulting firm focused on helping clients understand and thrive in small-area economies, brought his expertise in Economic Development and economic analysis to “Growth and Prosperity in Clinton County.” Our Economic Development partners from the City of Wilmington, Clinton County Board of Commissioners, Clinton County Regional Planning Commission, the CIC of Wilmington, the Clinton County Workforce Collaborative, and the SBDC at Miami Regionals were all with us, and participated in a lively conversation about Dr. LaFayette’s presentation and how the community can use the data presented to support and direct future growth and development.

CCPA: Your Partner in Business Growth and Development

We’re constantly celebrating the hard work and dedication of our partners and local leaders committed to driving economic growth and improving our community’s quality of life. We are proud to work with them to continue creating a vibrant, thriving economy for current and future residents.

If you want to grow your business or career, CCPA is your first stop! Established in 2004, the Port Authority was designated as the official economic development organization for Clinton County in 2019, and all county development efforts are now concentrated in it. Contact us for more information! Follow us on LinkedIn and X!