Taking place from May 12–16, Economic Development Week recognizes and honors the dedicated work of economic developers and their contributions to communities around the world.
Established in 2016 by the International Economic Development Council (IEDC), the largest international professional trade association for economic developers, Economic Development Week aims to increase awareness for local programs that create jobs, advance career development opportunities, and improve the quality of life in communities everywhere.
“The future of economic development is centered around collaboration and partnerships,” said IEDC president and CEO Nathan Ohle. “Economic Development Week is an opportunity to celebrate and lift up the stories of economic development happening throughout the world. At the heart of this year’s Economic Development Week are stories of collaboration and partnership, and how the field of economic development works together to support, cultivate, and drive economic prosperity for places of all sizes, in every region in the world.”
“Economic Development Week is a chance to recognize the progress we’ve made together and the partnerships that made it possible,” said Sam Miller, Development Director at Buckeye Hills Regional Council. “It’s also an opportunity to look ahead—to strengthen our networks, align our goals, and continue building a future where every community in Southeast Ohio can thrive.”
“The most impactful solutions come from working together. Whether it’s revitalizing a vacant site or building tools that make our communities more resilient, these projects succeed because of the strong partnerships behind them,” said Melissa Zoller, Planning Director at Buckeye Hills Regional Council. “Our Brownfield and GIS initiatives are about more than maps and reports—they’re about helping communities turn possibilities into progress.”
Appalachian Community Grant Program: Harnessing Partnerships for Regional Transformation
In 2024, the Buckeye Hills region secured over $132 million through the Appalachian Community Grant Program, a testament to the strength of regional partnerships. This funding, part of Ohio’s $500 million initiative, supports projects that revitalize downtowns, enhance riverfronts, and improve healthcare access.
From downtown investments in Athens, Logan, Caldwell, and Woodsfield to projects to enhance waterfront assets in Marietta, Beverly, Pomeroy, Middleport, Racine, McConnelsville, and Sardis, the funded projects underscore the power of local leadership and regional collaboration. These projects were years in the making—and they are just the beginning.
Buckeye Hills Regional Council was proud to partner with local governments and organizations throughout the application process, including hosting regional information sessions and providing technical assistance to help communities craft competitive, locally-driven proposals. The results speak for themselves: the region secured funding for 21 transformational projects that will create jobs, expand access to services, and improve quality of life for generations to come.
Regional Revitalization Report: A Collaborative Blueprint for Growth
The Southeast Ohio Regional Revitalization Report, published by Buckeye Hills Regional Council, is a product of extensive collaboration among local leaders, planners, and stakeholders. The report identifies 60 transformative projects across the region—a catalog of initiatives that, with additional state and federal investment, could deliver long-lasting benefits to Southeast Ohio’s residents and economy.
With a focus on transformative initiatives born out of the state’s Appalachian Community Grant Program, the report highlights projects in key areas such as downtown revitalization, outdoor recreation, community centers, arts, culture, and workforce development.
While these projects did not receive implementation funding through the Appalachian Community Grant Program, many of them received significant support for planning and design—positioning them for future success. Collectively, these initiatives aim to create sustainable economic growth, improve the quality of life for residents, and establish Appalachian Ohio as a vibrant, thriving region.
The report has already influenced funding strategies and project planning, demonstrating the power of coordinated efforts in driving regional progress.
Appalachian GIS Collaborative: Building a Shared Data Infrastructure
Launched in late 2024, the Appalachian GIS Collaborative is a groundbreaking partnership that’s laying the foundation for smarter planning, stronger infrastructure, and better-informed decision-making across the region. The Collaborative is a partnership of Ohio University’s Voinovich School, the Mayors’ Partnership for Progress and Ohio’s Local Development Districts: Buckeye Hills Regional Council, Ohio Valley Regional Development Commission, Ohio Mid-Eastern Governments Association, and Eastgate Regional Council of Governments. The initiative brings together GIS professionals and local governments to build a shared regional data hub.
The Collaborative’s goals are ambitious but practical: standardize data collection, reduce duplication of effort, and give communities access to up-to-date mapping tools that can inform everything from broadband expansion to emergency response. This is especially important in Appalachian counties, where small jurisdictions often lack the staff or software capacity to manage complex datasets.
With the regional data hub now in development, the Collaborative is working to ensure that every community, regardless of size or budget, has access to the tools they need to plan for the future. It’s one more example of how shared solutions can generate real impact across Southeast Ohio.
Buckeye Hills Forward: A Regional Vision Rooted in Public Engagement
Buckeye Hills Forward
, the region’s new Comprehensive Economic Development Strategy (CEDS), embodies the power of community engagement and partnership. Developed through an extensive public engagement process that began in 2024 and continued in 2025, the plan reflects the input of hundreds of local voices—from business owners and educators to government officials and residents.
The process began with a full restructuring of the region’s CEDS committee, expanding participation from 11 to 26 members and ensuring diverse representation across sectors and counties. Eight public open houses were held to present data, gather ideas, and spark conversations about the region’s strengths and challenges. A series of working groups then transformed those insights into actionable strategies focused on entrepreneurship, workforce, infrastructure, and quality of life.
The final plan—submitted to the U.S. Economic Development Administration in April 2025—will serve as a living blueprint designed to guide decision-making, align funding pursuits, and support long-term economic transformation. It also emphasizes wealth creation in all its forms, encouraging communities to invest not just in capital projects, but in people, partnerships, and place-based assets.
By elevating regional collaboration and local leadership, Buckeye Hills Forward sets the stage for sustained progress and a prosperous future across Southeast Ohio.
Brownfield Assessment Program: Turning Liability into Opportunity
Buckeye Hills Regional Council’s Brownfield Assessment Program, funded by the U.S. EPA, exemplifies how partnerships can transform environmental challenges into opportunities for redevelopment. To date, the program has supported 11 projects across six counties, conducting environmental assessments that pave the way for safe and productive reuse of underutilized properties. This includes nine Phase I Environmental Site Assessments, a Phase II ESA, asbestos and HAZMAT reports, and multiple remedial action plans. These efforts have already contributed to demolitions, environmental cleanups, and future site planning that will benefit both public health and economic development.
Brownfield assessment projects completed so far include the Bailey’s Trail in Chauncey, Athens County; Russell’s Repair Shop in Athens, Athens County; the former Riley Shoe Factory in Logan, Hocking County; Murray City School in Murray City, Hocking County; Old Bridge Brewing Company in McConnelsville, Morgan County; Dexter City School in Dexter City, Noble County; Sarahsville School in Sarahsville, Noble County; Sharon General Store in Sharon, Noble County; Summerfield School in Summerfield, Noble County; Somerset Red House in Somerset, Perry County; and Muskingum River Industrial Park in Washington County. In addition, new projects are getting underway in Middleport, Belle Valley, and Caldwell.
Beyond technical work, the program is built on strong community engagement. Planning Division staff have led outreach to identify new sites, connect with property owners, and ensure local priorities guide the work. As a result, three new projects were recently added to the grant portfolio—bringing the program close to full capacity and maximizing the impact of available funds.
By working together to transform these brownfield sites, communities are turning liabilities into assets, demonstrating the transformative power of partnerships in promoting public health, safety, and economic development.
About Buckeye Hills Regional Council
Buckeye Hills Regional Council is a council of governments dedicated to improving the lives of residents in southeast Ohio. By working collaboratively with elected officials across Athens, Hocking, Meigs, Monroe, Morgan, Noble, Perry, and Washington counties, Buckeye Hills connects local, state, and federal resources to communities through its Aging & Health, Home Care, Community Development, and Planning divisions. Learn more at buckeyehills.org.
About the International Economic Development Council
The International Economic Development Council (IEDC) is a nonprofit, nonpartisan membership organization serving economic developers. With thousands of members, IEDC is the largest organization of its kind. Economic developers typically work for cities, counties, states, public-private partnerships, and chambers of commerce to promote economic well-being and quality of life for their communities by creating, retaining, and expanding high-quality jobs that facilitate growth, enhance wealth, and provide a stable tax base. From public to private, rural to urban, and local to international, IEDC’s members are engaged in the full range of economic development work to develop vibrant communities.