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Small Communities, Big Impact

August 13, 2025 @ 9:30 am - 3:30 pm

A Local Development Summit for Southeast Ohio

Small Communities, Big Impact brings together local leaders, elected officials, practitioners, and more to explore topics related to transformational projects in Southeast Ohio communities. 

Registration for Small Communities, Big Impact is closed. Thanks to all who have registered to join us on August 13!

Agenda

Time Session
9:00 a.m. Registration & Networking
9:30 a.m. Welcome
9:45 – 10:30 a.m. Bridging the Gap: How Planning & Development Drive Community Impact

  • Sam Miller, Development Director, Buckeye Hills Regional Council
  • Melissa Zoller, Planning Director, Buckeye Hills Regional Council
10:30 – 10:45 a.m. Q&A
10:45 – 11:00 a.m. Break
11:00 – 11:45 a.m. From Blight to Bright: Leveraging Brownfields and Landbanks for Housing Solutions

  • Crystal Lorimor, Executive Director, Community Improvement Corporation of Belmont County
  • Taylor Abbott, Treasurer, Monroe County & President, Monroe County Land Bank
  • Shaw Carvin, Executive Director, Ohio Land Bank Association
  • Moderator: Halle Miller, Associate Director of Assessment, Remediation and Revitalization, Partners Environmental Consulting, Inc.
11:45 a.m. – 12:00 p.m. Lunch
12:30 – 1:15 p.m. Small Towns, Big Impact: Putting CDBG to Work in Rural Communities

  • Wes Watkins, Manager of Community Investments, Ohio Department of Development
1:15 – 1:30 p.m. Q&A
1:30 – 1:45 p.m. Break
1:45 – 2:30 p.m. Built to Withstand: Integrating Mitigation into Infrastructure Planning

  • Amy Zwick, Monroe County Engineer
  • Teresa Fout-Imler, Director, Athens County 9-1-1 and EMA
  • Alex McCarthy, Director, Delaware County Office of Homeland Security and Emergency Management
  • Moderator: Eric Wade, Senior Planner, Buckeye Hills Regional Council
2:30 – 2:45 p.m. Q&A
2:45 – 3:30 p.m. Closing

Sponsors

Title Sponsor

Gold Sponsors

Silver Sponsors

Bronze Sponsors

Details

  • Date: August 13, 2025
  • Time:
    9:30 am - 3:30 pm

Venue

  • Buckeye Hills Regional Council (old address)
  • 1400 Pike Street
    Marietta, OH 45750 United States     + Google Map