Hamilton County will hold two public hearings Sept. 23 to gather resident input on its next countywide economic development strategy.

The hearings are scheduled for Wednesday, Sept. 23, at the Hamilton County Central Campus, 1701 Patricia McCollum Way, Cincinnati. The first session runs 3–5 p.m. The evening session runs 6–8 p.m. Both will be held in Conference Rooms A and B.

The county announced the hearings Sept. 2 through its official government account on X, calling on residents to help shape the county's next economic strategy. The plan being developed is called a Comprehensive Economic Development Strategy, or CEDS.

What the plan covers

The county's economic development page describes the CEDS as a plan to assess local economic conditions and set investment priorities countywide. The page noted earlier this year that a new CEDS would be developed in 2026.

Hamilton County's Office of Economic Development operates under a contract with Alloy Development Co. to advance countywide revitalization. Services under that contract include attracting and retaining industrial and office employers, commercial capital access and startup development.

Local stake

The CEDS covers all of Hamilton County, which includes Indian Hill, Madeira, Mariemont, Terrace Park and Sycamore Township. Residents who attend the Sept. 23 hearings can weigh in on what kinds of growth and investment the county should prioritize.

The Hamilton County Board of County Commissioners oversees the process. The three-member board includes Commission President Stephanie Summerow Dumas, Vice President Alicia Reece and Commissioner Denise Driehaus.

The Central Campus where the hearings will take place opened in February. Commission President Dumas said at the Feb. 11 ribbon-cutting that the facility "improves access for residents" and "strengthens coordination across departments."

Whether the Sept. 23 hearings require registration or are open on a walk-in basis is not clear from available county materials. No timeline for a draft CEDS or a final commissioners' vote has been announced.

Residents can check the county's economic development page or follow @HamiltonCntyOH on X for updates ahead of the Sept. 23 hearings.