Legislation creating a Regional Economic Development Study Committee passes House

The bill now moves on to the Ohio Senate for further consideration.

The Ohio House Sept. 13 passed a bill that its sponsors said looks to strengthen regional economic alliances and partnerships between Ohio communities.

The bipartisan bill sponsored by Rep. John Rogers, D-Mentor-on-the-Lake, and Rep. Steve Hambley, R-Brunswick, would create a Regional Economic Development Study Committee. The committee would seek input from groups such as county commissioners, township trustees, mayors, city councils and chambers of commerce to “form recommendations on communities sharing resources and services to establish a regional economic development strategy.”

“To make us more economically competitive as a state, we need a forwardlooking growth strategy that examines the features, challenges and benefits of regional economic development partnerships,” Rogers said. “By working together, we can secure good-paying jobs for people in advanced and emerging sectors of our economy. This legislation aims to do exactly that.”

The proposed committee would be bipartisan, consisting of members from both the Ohio House of Representatives and the Ohio Senate, a designee of the governor, academic representatives, and a representative from the Regional Prosperity Initiative, according to a news release.

The committee is to submit a report of its findings within one year of the effective date of the bill.

“Strong regional economic partnerships are a win-win for communities and businesses,” Rogers said.

“Bringing people together with one goal in mind — good jobs and growth — will better focus our economic development efforts while maximizing resources and saving taxpayers money.”

The bill now moves on to the Ohio Senate for further consideration.