Comprehensive Economic Development Strategy (CEDS)
The U.S. Department of Commerce, Economic Development Administration regulations require the Ohio Valley Regional Development Commission to develop a Comprehensive Economic Development Strategy (CEDS) every five years. The CEDS is a plan that emerges from a broad-based continuous planning process addressing the economic opportunities and threats in the region. The process is designed to guide the economic growth of the area through an inclusive and dynamic process that coordinates the efforts of community organizations, local governments, and the private sector that are concerned with economic development. The outcome of the CEDS is to be used as a tool for understanding the regional economy and for taking action to improve it. The CEDS incorporates other planning efforts in the OVRDC region where appropriate.
Click here to view/download the CEDS.
Long-Range Transportation Plan (LRTP)
The Ohio Department of Transportation (ODOT) designated OVRDC and other Local Development Districts as Regional Transportation Planning Organizations (RTPO) in the effort of improving coordination and planning for robust regional transportation systems. The resulting RTPO’s Comprehensive Transportation Plan provides an opportunity to coordinate economic and community development with transportation planning efforts and to enhance regional cooperation and communication.
Click here to view/download the current Long Range Transportation Plan (LRTP) the 2045 Comprehensive Transportation Plan.
In June 2022, OVRDC completed an EDA CARES Act-funded Regional Tourism Plan with help from Place Dynamics LLC and presented findings in several regional public meetings. Area tourism and convention and visitor bureau professionals, and other interested stakeholders convened to give input and feedback on the research and data. The final plan is now available for download.
Click here to view/download the Regional Tourism Plan.
Regional Broadband Report
OVRDC commissioned a regional broadband study with support from EDA CARES Act funds to study the current state of broadband access in Appalachian Ohio and the twelve county region we serve. The study, conducted by Reid Consulting Group, revealed 26% of households and 69% of populated areas in the twelve-county Ohio Valley region do not have access to FCC minimum internet speeds of 25 Mbps down/3 Mbps up.
Detailed county broadband map profiles are hosted online and available for public download here.