Greater Ohio Policy Center has produced webinars on a variety of issues related to urban revitalization and sustainable growth.
These webinars provide valuable insights into policy and practice.
A full archive of all GOPC webinars can be found on our YouTube Channel.
Let's Make Vibrant, Safer Streets
As we look ahead to 2025, now is the time for communities across Ohio to take advantage of opportunities from the Ohio Department of Transportation. Come learn about funding for safer systems that promote active transportation options and protect mode users of all types, and make communities more vibrant.
The webinar features presentations from the Ohio Department of Transportation’s Local Technical Assistance Program Manager and Active Transportation Manager. They will discuss ODOT programs focused on local technical assistance and funding opportunities for active transportation and safe routes to schools.
Presenters:
Jason Warner, Director of Strategic Engagement, Greater Ohio Policy Center
Cait Harley, Active Transportation Manager, Ohio Department of Transportation
An Update on the Creation of a Statewide Pattern Book Toolkit
Join the Greater Ohio Policy Center (GOPC), the Ohio REALTORS, and Pattern Zones Co. to hear an update on the development of a statewide pattern book toolkit to increase the supply of infill housing in the state.
Once released, the toolkit will include architectural renderings of housing that local communities can adopt. The toolkit will also include zoning corrective recommendations that can increase housing development and promote infill development.
GOPC and the Ohio REALTORS are partnering on this project, with Pattern Zones Co. serving as the consultant to develop the book, its recommendations, and architectural renderings. Ahead of the release of the toolkit, this webinar will share details for what local governments, builders, developers, and nonprofits can anticipate.
Pattern Zones Co. Presentation
New Solutions for Workforce Housing Webinar (2024)
The creation of reasonably priced, entry-level housing is a top priority for communities around the state. This webinar discusses several novel approaches to addressing this challenge. Pantheon Innovation Builders will talk about how they are producing reasonably priced housing with the help of new technologies, like 3D printing and modular systems, while also developing new capacity in the workforce. OhioREALTORS will discuss how pre-approved building plans are a tool that can help reduce development costs and speed up projects. JPMorgan Chase will talk about the financing tools they offer. This webinar is organized by the Greater Ohio Policy Center and generously sponsored by JPMorgan Chase. It is eligible for one CE through APA Ohio.
Preparing A Successful Bid for State Capital Budget Dollars (2023)
Greater Ohio Policy Center (GOPC), the Ohio Facilities Construction Commission (OFCC), and Heritage Ohio will host a webinar, “Preparing a Successful Bid for State Capital Budget Dollars” to assist local changemakers in understanding the capital budget process.
GOPC’s Director of Strategic Engagement, Jason Warner, OFCC’s Grants Administrator, Jessica DeLong, and Heritage Ohio’s Executive Director Matt Wiederhold will provide communities with a “101 on the Capital Budget,” as well as case study examples of small communities utilizing capital budget dollars for thoughtfully-planned projects, including their planning steps and process to secure funds.
Understanding Ohio’s Biennial Budget Process (2023)
Greater Ohio Policy Center Director of Strategic Engagement Jason Warner provides an overview of Ohio’s state budget process and how and when Ohio lawmakers will enact two of the state’s primary budgets, the state Transportation Budget and the Main Operating Budget.
This fast-paced webinar will discuss the full process of enacting the state’s budgets which will fund state government operations for the next two years, including committee hearings, amendments, floor votes and conference committee. Following the presentation, participants will be able to ask questions to get a better understanding of the budget process.
2023 Public Policy Webinar
Reflect & Refocus: Furthering Resilient Communities
Resilient communities are able to withstand and recover quickly from difficult conditions. Ohio has hundreds of cities, villages, counties, and townships that have weathered economic recessions, natural disasters, and, other major challenges, emerging changed, but formidable.
The Greater Ohio Policy Center’s 2023-2024 public policy agenda, Reflect & Refocus: Furthering Resilient Communities, calls for state policy changes that will strengthen communities’ resiliency through revitalization and sustainable development. This platform channels advocacy successes achieved in the past two General Assemblies, and introduces policy recommendations that are grounded in data and our deep expertise in legacy cities.
A Conversation with the Ohio Department of Development: An Overview of the Brownfield Remediation Fund
Presented by Revitalizing Ohio’s Brownfields
The Ohio Department of Development will keynote this panel to provide participants with an overview of the newly established rules for the Brownfields Remediation Fund. Brownfield stakeholders have been eagerly awaiting the guidance from the Department since the creation of the Fund in July 2021. Leadership from the Ohio Department of Development will provide a broad overview of the new rules, with a Q&A period.
Moderator:
Aaron Clapper, Senior Manager of Outreach and Projects | Greater Ohio Policy Center
Special Guests:
President Matt Huffman, 12th District | Ohio Senate
Senator Sandra Williams, 21st District | Ohio Senate
Senator Michael Rulli, 33rd District | Ohio Senate
Panelists:
Brent Smith, Senior Project Manager, Professional Geologist, and Remediation Specialist | Civil & Environmental Consultants, Inc.
Mike Fraizer, Division Chief, Community Services Division | Ohio Department of Development
Megan Meadows, Deputy Chief, Community Services Division | Ohio Department of Development
Tackling Ohio’s Brownfields: An Overview of Ohio’s Available Brownfield Funding Programs
Presented by Revitalizing Ohio’s Brownfields
The newly created Brownfield Remediation Program is an exciting investment in Ohio’s future. This program is sure to sharpen the skills and expertise of local leaders. This panel is for those interested in learning about Ohio’s other brownfields funding and financing opportunities, which can complement or enhance the Brownfield Remediation Program. This webinar will provide participants with an overview of Ohio’s current funding programs available at the Ohio Water Development Authority (OWDA), the Ohio Environmental Protection Agency (OEPA), the Ohio Department of Development (ODOD), and JobsOhio.
Moderator:
Aaron Clapper, Senior Manager of Outreach and Projects | Greater Ohio Policy Center
Panelists:
Sally Gladwell, Principal | The Mannik & Smith Group
Diana Rife, Director, Sites | JobsOhio
Ken Heigel, Executive Director | Ohio Water Development Authority
Annie van Blaricom, Special Projects Manger | Ohio Department of Development
Roxanne Anderson, Brownfields Coordinator | Ohio Environmental Protection Agency
Preparing & Prioritizing: Assembling a Plan of Action for Brownfield Remediation Projects
Presented by Revitalizing Ohio’s Brownfields
Ohio's newly created Brownfield Remediation Fund holds great possibilities for local communities. However, local government staff and elected officials may be unsure how to begin preparing to apply for and utilize BRF funds. This webinar provides attendees with an overview of what it takes to see a brownfield project through from start to finish. Panelists will explain what due diligence local leaders should do on a potential site, what expertise a community might want to assemble to ensure a successful and cost-efficient remediation project, and what to expect each step of the project.
Moderator:
Aaron Clapper, Senior Manager of Outreach and Projects | Greater Ohio Policy Center
Panelists:
David Ebersole, Director of Economic Development | City of Cleveland
Jeffry Harris, Public Financing Attorney | Bricker & Eckler, LLP
Craig Kasper, Executive Vice President | Hull & Associates, LLC
Sarah Lown, Public Finance Manager | Western Reserve Port Authority
How Small And Midsized Cities In Ohio Plan To Deploy Their ARPA Funds
The passage of the American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) provides Ohio's communities the potential to significantly impact revitalization efforts already underway. This webinar will provide participants with an opportunity to hear first-hand from peers in Legacy City communities on how strategic planning and community engagement is guiding their decision making for ARPA allocations, and how individual communities may prioritize their ARPA funds.
Presenters (click name for bio & contact)
Todd Kinskey, FAICP, Director of Planning, Neighborhoods & Development City of Dayton
Max Upton, MPA, Director of Building, Housing & Planning City of Lorain
Shannon Meadows, Community Development Director City of Springfield
Rebuilding With Equity: The Future Of Smaller Legacy Cities
Leaders in America’s smaller legacy cities—former industrial and manufacturing hubs like Dayton, Ohio, and Gary, Indiana—can adopt equitable development strategies to meet the need for sound, long-term economic growth; to respond proactively to calls for racial equity; and to remedy the inequities laid bare by the COVID-19 pandemic and Black Lives Matter movement. Improving equity broadens everyone’s access to opportunity while boosting economic prospects for an entire city.
This webinar focuses on why equitable development is a sound strategy for smaller legacy cities today. Practitioners share stories from legacy cities that are already embracing equity and inclusion. Presenters articulate why equity is an important goal for their city or organization, and what equitable development looks like in the smaller legacy city context.
The webinar builds on the Policy Focus Report Equitably Developing America's Smaller Legacy Cities: Investing in Residents from South Bend to Worcester, published in May 2021.
How Can Local Philanthropy Facilitate New Tools for Housing Affordability
Keeping Residents In Their Homes: A GOPC-Lincoln Institute Of Land Policy Webinar Series
The Covid-19 crisis removed an already thin veil obscuring the slim line between housing security and insecurity for many Americans. This dynamic is particularly true for many extremely cost-burdened residents of America’s legacy cities. Rising unemployment, low-wage jobs, and limited new employment opportunities mean that residents who were formerly “just getting by” are now at risk of losing their housing.
This webinar series explores strategies for preserving neighborhood stability in small, medium and large legacy cities. Strategies will focus on steps philanthropy, mission-driven developers, and local governments can take to promote housing and neighborhood stability.
This webinar is part 1 of 4.
Pivots Mission-Driven Developers Can Make to Promote Stability During COVID-19
Keeping Residents In Their Homes: A GOPC-Lincoln Institute Of Land Policy Webinar Series
The Covid-19 crisis removed an already thin veil obscuring the slim line between housing security and insecurity for many Americans. This dynamic is particularly true for many extremely cost-burdened residents of America’s legacy cities. Rising unemployment, low-wage jobs, and limited new employment opportunities mean that residents who were formerly “just getting by” are now at risk of losing their housing.
This webinar series explores strategies for preserving neighborhood stability in small, medium and large legacy cities. Strategies will focus on steps philanthropy, mission-driven developers, and local governments can take to promote housing and neighborhood stability.
This webinar is part 2 of 4.
Presenters (click name for bio & contact)
Jonathan Welty, President, Ohio Capital Finance Corporation
Rachel Hastings, Executive Director, Price Hill Will (Cincinnati)
Kim Cutcher, Executive Director, LISC Toledo
Moderator:
Sheldon K. Johnson, Vice President of Community Development, Community Building Partners (an enterprise of Praxia Partners)
Rental Protection Legislation for Local Governments
Keeping Residents In Their Homes: A GOPC-Lincoln Institute Of Land Policy Webinar Series
The Covid-19 crisis removed an already thin veil obscuring the slim line between housing security and insecurity for many Americans. This dynamic is particularly true for many extremely cost-burdened residents of America’s legacy cities. Rising unemployment, low-wage jobs, and limited new employment opportunities mean that residents who were formerly “just getting by” are now at risk of losing their housing.
This webinar series explores strategies for preserving neighborhood stability in small, medium and large legacy cities. Strategies will focus on steps philanthropy, mission-driven developers, and local governments can take to promote housing and neighborhood stability.
This webinar is part 3 of 4.
Presenters (click name for bio & contact)
Abigail Staudt, Managing Attorney, The Legal Aid Society of Cleveland
Debra Lavey, Senior Attorney, Advocates for Basic Legal Equality (Dayton)
Amy Klaben, Founder & Principal, Strategic Opportunities (Columbus)
Moderator:
Robert Killins, Jr., Director of Special Initiatives, Greater Cincinnati Foundation
Local Government Programming to Support Neighborhood Stability
Keeping Residents In Their Homes: A GOPC-Lincoln Institute Of Land Policy Webinar Series
The Covid-19 crisis removed an already thin veil obscuring the slim line between housing security and insecurity for many Americans. This dynamic is particularly true for many extremely cost-burdened residents of America’s legacy cities. Rising unemployment, low-wage jobs, and limited new employment opportunities mean that residents who were formerly “just getting by” are now at risk of losing their housing.
This webinar is co-produced with the Center for Community Progress as part of their Cornerstone Webinar monthly online education series. Topics of this panel will include housing strategies that reinforce stability, like thoughtful code enforcement strategies, rental registries, and source of income protection.
This webinar is part 4 of 4.
Presenters (click name for bio & contact)
Shannon Meadows, Community Development Director, City of Springfield
Stacie Young, Director, The Preservation Compact
Sharetta T. Smith, Chief of Staff, City of Lima
Moderator:
Alison Goebel, Executive Director, Greater Ohio Policy Center
Brownfields Regulatory Reform: A Webinar on HB168 and the BFPD
GOPC hosted an informational webinar on House Bill 168 (HB168) and the Bona Fide Purchaser Defense (BFPD). GOPC championed this legislation through the 133rd General Assembly, where it was unanimously passed in the House and Senate and signed by Governor DeWine earlier this summer. The law takes effect September 14th, 2020.
HB168 incorporates the BFPD into Ohio law – extending the federal protections under USEPA’s CERCLA to prospective purchasers of brownfields who follow All Appropriate Inquiries and proper Due Diligence standards in Ohio. Until HB168, a prospective purchaser could follow standards and be recognized with the protections at the federal level, but not in the state of Ohio. HB168 fills this necessary gap.
This webinar provided participants with a overview on the legislation, and a detailed understanding for the practical implementation of the BFPD in the redevelopment of lightly contaminated brownfield sites.
If you missed this webinar, and would like to learn more about the BFPD, please visit GOPC’s BFPD page. A recording of the webinar is live on that page, as well as a detailed FAQ.