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Clermont County hires Envision Group to create county economic development strategic plan
Summary
The commissioners approved a $95,940 contract with Envision Group LLC to develop an updated county economic development strategic plan; staff said the area needs roughly 11,500 new housing units over 20 years to keep pace with growth.
Clermont County commissioners on Sept. 24 approved a $95,940 contract with Envision Group LLC to produce a county economic development strategic plan, a project county staff said is needed because the last related plan dates to February 2010.
The contract award passed by roll call. The county's economic development staff said the Request for Proposal (RFP) drew 13 submissions; staff shortlisted four firms, interviewed finalists and concluded Envision offered both relevant regional experience and a strong interview team.
"We want to have a way to produce actionable initiatives and measurable outcomes to guide economic development," Scott (Clermont County economic development staff) said during the presentation. He noted changes since 2010 — plant closures, State Route 32 improvements, demographic shifts and COVID-19's effects on workforce patterns — that prompted a fresh plan.
Chris McClintock, the county's community and economic development director and executive director of the Port Authority and CIC, explained the difference between the County Improvement Corporation (CIC) and the port authority and why multi-family projects have been prominent. "The CIC does it through development — we purchase property, get it site-ready and sell to developers. The port authority fosters economic development through financing mechanisms," McClintock said. He added that the county's housing study estimates a need for about 11,500 new units over 20 years to keep up with growth and jobs being created locally.
The contract will fund outreach, analysis and a strategic plan to guide county and partner organizations. County staff said the plan will include stakeholder engagement with chambers, townships and other partners and may inform infrastructure and zoning priorities.
Commissioners voted to authorize the county to execute the contract and begin the planning work with Envision Group.
The county will return to the board with project milestones and public engagement opportunities as the plan proceeds.
