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Buckeye Hills Forward: A Regional Economic Plan

What does the future hold for Southeast Ohio? What do economic prosperity and resilience look like for those who live here? As an Economic Development District designated by the U.S. Economic Development Administration, Buckeye Hills Regional is responsible for working with local leaders and residents to draft and update a Comprehensive Economic Development Strategy (CEDS) that encompasses Athens, Hocking, Meigs, Monroe, Morgan, Noble, Perry, and Washington counties.

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Downtown in Athens Ohio, part of Buckeye Hills Forward

The latest version of the CEDS, which looks ahead to 2025-2030, is titled Buckeye Hills Forward: A Regional Economic Plan.

This comprehensive economic development strategy is a locally based, regionally driven economic development planning process and document that creates the space for our region to identify its strengths and weaknesses, while bringing together a diverse set of partners to create good jobs, diversify the economy, and spur economic growth.

What’s Next?

On July 19, 2025, the U.S. Economic Development Administration approved Buckeye Hills Forward, our updated Comprehensive Economic Development Strategy (CEDS).

This plan is more than a document that will sit on a shelf. Buckeye Hills Forward is a shared vision for the future of our eight-county region, built on the voices, ideas, and priorities of communities. Now, the work begins of turning that vision into reality.

Over the next five years, Buckeye Hills Regional Council will:

  • Work closely with local governments, economic development organizations, businesses, nonprofits, and residents to prioritize and launch projects identified in the plan.
  • Seek state, federal, and private investment to move key initiatives forward.
  • Offer data, mapping, planning, and grant support to help communities bring their ideas to life.

The CEDS is a living document. Every year, Buckeye Hills will track progress, update strategies as conditions change, and share regular updates on the milestones achieved together.

Community members are encouraged to stay connected and share ideas to advance the plan’s goals. Together, we can ensure Buckeye Hills Forward is not just a plan, but a movement toward a stronger, more vibrant Appalachian Ohio.

View Buckeye Hills Forward at the link below.
Buckeye Hills Forward

Buckeye Hills Regional Council completes a fully revised Comprehensive Economic Development Strategy every five years. During the revision years, annual reports are completed detailing any changes in information, demographics, statistics, or strategies. You can view past CEDS at the links below.

The Buckeye Hills Forward advisory group comprises public- and private-sector representatives from across the Buckeye Hills region.

Buckeye Hills Forward Advisory Group Members

  • Adam Kody, ACENET
  • Alyssa Stephens, OSU Extension – Monroe County
  • Amber Kohler, OhioSE
  • Andrew Jackson, Appalachian Ohio Manufacturers Coalition
  • Bobby Smathers, Hocking Hills Chamber of Commerce
  • Brian Howard, BHRC Executive Committee
  • Casey Bott, The Next Lodging
  • Chase Jenkins, Meigs County Economic Development Office
  • Clara Bone, Voinovich School – Ohio University
  • Colt Morningstar, Appalachian Ohio Manufacturers Coalition 
  • Daniel Leffingwell, GRIT/Future Plans
  • Deana Clark, Marietta-Washington County Convention & Visitors Bureau
  • Faith Knutsen, Voinovich School – Ohio University
  • Fred Redfern, Village of Crooksville
  • Jason Hamman, Monroe County Port Authority
  • Jeff Slack, Village of Roseville
  • Jessica Armold, Sustainable Ohio Public Energy Council
  • Jessie Powers, Outdoor Recreation Council of Appalachia
  • Joy Evangelista, Hocking County CIC
  • Justin Denius, Noble Local School District
  • Kari Lowe, Washington State College of Ohio
  • Kyle Huck, Wings Etc./Apex Gaming
  • Luann Cooperrider, Thornville Economic Development
  • Matthew Hupp, Morgan County Board of Developmental Disabilities
  • Megan Riddlebarger, Corporation for Ohio Appalachian Development
  • Mollie Fitzgerald, Athens County Economic Development Council/Athens Port Authority
  • Randy Lowe, OSU Extension – Noble County
  • Ryan Collins, National Association of Development Organizations
  • Sarah Arnold, OhioSE
  • Shannon Wells, Morgan County Economic Development Office
  • Tasha Werry, Building Bridges to Careers
  • Tony Huffman, Washington County Career Center

Explore economic and demographic data for the Buckeye Hills region using the National Economic Resilience Data Explorer (NERDE). Developed by Argonne National Laboratory in partnership with the U.S. Economic Development Administration, NERDE brings together data and visualizations to help communities better understand their economic strengths, challenges, and opportunities. 

The customized view includes Athens, Hocking, Meigs, Monroe, Morgan, Noble, Perry, and Washington counties and provides information on economic distress, demographics, workforce employment, GDP, industry trends, economic development capacity, and other indicators that can support planning, grant development, and informed decision-making. 

Explore the Buckeye Hills Region in NERDE.

Woman attending BHRC community development seminar takes notes

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Review the Goals and Objectives of Buckeye Hills Forward

Below are the eight goal areas and their objectives developed with community input for inclusion in Buckeye Hills Forward.

Goal Areas

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