Report: Green Cincinnati plan could create tens of thousands of jobs, but training and equity gaps must be closed

A workforce analysis released to the Cincinnati Climate, Environment and Infrastructure Committee says implementing the Green Cincinnati Plan could generate $11 billion in economic activity and create between 16,000 and 44,000 new jobs, including 6,000 to 17,000 jobs the study classifies as “green jobs.”

The analysis, prepared by the Cincinnati Regional Chamber’s Center for Research and Data and presented by Brandon Rudd, found that meeting the plan’s goals would require between $2.6 billion and $5.7 billion in direct investment (public and private). "We identified our team identified a 114 green jobs," Rudd told the committee, and used an input-output model to estimate broader occupational impacts across 799 occupations.

Why it matters: The report ties climate and resilience investments directly to regional economic growth and workforce opportunity. Committee Chairwoman Mika Owens said the plan’s workforce target — "training 4,000 folks by 2028" — is central to ensuring Cincinnati residents share in the economic benefits. Presenters and council members said the scale of construction and building work in the plan makes workforce and training strategy a priority if the city is to capture local jobs.

Key findings presented

- Investment and economic impact: The report estimates $2.6 billion to $5.7 billion in direct spending will produce roughly $11 billion in total economic output once multiplier effects are included. Rudd said the larger effects reflect high local multipliers in…