Today’s #GOPCThread features highlights from our report “From Akron to Zanesville: How Are Ohio’s Small & Mid-Sized Legacy Cities Fairing” and the document’s 2020 update, as well as how the current state of affairs in Ohio could impact the 2020 election cycle.
Our small & mid-sized legacy cities are central to Ohio’s heritage of innovation & manufacturing, but they have experienced decades of economic & population declines. 2018 data showed they were stabilizing, before COVID-19, but they’re still not as strong as they were in 2000.
Population loss is slowing; from 2014-2018, our legacy cities experienced population loss at much lower rates than they did between 2000 & 2014. The State of Ohio, overall, and the City of Columbus in particular, experienced population growth #GOPCThread
Before the pandemic, unemployment was down across legacy cities, but numbers still exceeded those of 2000. Our research shows legacy cities haven’t been disproportionately impacted by the COVID-19 Recession but could have a difficult time recovering w/o state support #GOPCThread
The economy has always been a leading contender for why the electorate votes in any given election. “It’s the economy stupid” has been a part of America’s political lexicon for nearly 30 years and it could again be a major factor in the 2020 elections up and down the ballot.
In 2018, poverty in Ohio was improving. However, because of the COVID-19 pandemic, we can expect these trends to change. In 2016, the Akron to Zanesville report said, from 2000-2014, the poverty rate increased by 50% in Ohio. #GOPCThread
To ensure legacy cities can continue to address their poverty challenges, they need support for capacity building. Ohio needs to assist legacy cities in becoming vibrant, prosperous & connected places—making them poised to compete in the global marketplace. #GOPCThread
Enacting both capacity building & placemaking programs has been and continues to be a key priority in GOPCs legislative agenda. Our full policy agenda is on our website and download a PDF version #GOPCThread

https://www.greaterohio.org/2020-policy-platform
Ohio’s housing values & vacancies started to see positive change, but they were still a challenge in 2018. From 2014-2018, legacy cities saw declines in home values & growth in long-term housing vacancy. Due to COVID-19, support for housing will remain a critical need in Ohio.
To empower legacy cities to be stronger on the other side of the pandemic, State policymakers should enact strategic tools & incentives that spur new housing for all of Ohio’s homeowners and renters, while also limiting sprawl. #GOPCThread
Beyond empty housing, the Akron to Zanesville report says Ohio has hundreds of acres of brownfields, which may worsen due to COVID. In response, Ohio should encourage brownfield investment w/dedicated funding that is flexible, sustainable, & complementary to other programs.
Investing in brownfield mitigation and revitalization has been popular with Ohio voters. The last time a bond package was on the ballot (2008), voters overwhelmingly voted to support funding for Ohio’s CORF program. #GOPCThread
GOPC is supporting a new effort to provide dedicated funding for CORF. Investing in brownfields and preparing Ohio for new investment post-COVID will be important and needs to be addressed by candidates up and down the ballot. #GOPCThread https://bit.ly/3jC0f1C 
To check out the latest data on how Ohio’s legacy cities are faring and what support they need from the State, visit our website, and be sure to check-back later this month when we feature our 2020 Candidate Questions on a future #GOPCThread https://bit.ly/3gHA6wb 
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