Government’s involvement in regional policy and development in the state of Ohio, USA

• Main Author: Šehić Andrea
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Published: Institute of Architecture, Urban & Spatial Planning of Serbia 2009-01-01
• Series: Spatium
• Subjects: redevelopment; brown fields; investments; state government; public-private partnerships; priority investment areas
• Online Access: http://www.doiserbia.nb.rs/img/doi/1450-569X/2009/1450-569X0919051S.pdf

Brownfield redevelopment has been playing a leading role in urban development in the state of Ohio for some time now. Being one of the most industrialized states in the US, Ohio has been struggling for a long time with numerous consequences of businesses that were shutting down, moving out of Ohio, or restructuring. The State officials have been addressing and taking care of these issues very carefully, and with a lot of concern and attention. Furthermore, the officials have been cooperating on all levels of government, which created a very positive and encouraging environment for successful redevelopment projects. The State has been focusing on comparative advantages of regions, and assisting where the demand is. The State has also been encouraging regional development by providing programs especially designed for ones in need, or valuing projects that propose a regional component/strategy. With establishing public-private partnerships between applicants and the government as the fund provider, a very important way of cooperation is established, and maintained, throughout the funding process. With the evident burden that brown fields impose on all participants in the process of redevelopment, it is sometimes difficult to see the overall benefit of such actions. The crucial role of government’s support has proved to be the key to successful implementation of brown field projects. Enabling continuous flow of funds, establishing intergovernmental relations, along with enabling public-private partnerships, and tightly linking the participants in the process of redevelopment resulted in successfully completed projects, which brought new life and brighter perspective to communities that haven’t been able to struggle through this complex process on their own.