| Community Development |
|
Welcome to the Community Development (CD) Department of WSOS. The betterment of communities and all of their essential components results in better lives for people, and that is our goal. We help local governments assess the needs of constituents, plan for the best use of limited resources, then acquire the resources to develop priority projects. |
 |
| A community's employers provide a large share of the tax base necessary for public services as well as jobs and income for residents, and we work to assist them as well. |
|
| The two-fold focus of the CD department is thus upon community betterment and economic opportunity. Serving this purpose has led to several distinct lines of business. |
|
|
 |
|
|
Community and Comprehensive Planning Services
Through a partnership with a local planning and GIS consultant, Reveille Ltd., WSOS CD brings comprehensive planning services to rural Ohio.
WSOS CD can steer a community or organization through the assessment and planning process known as Project Good START. Staff also develops other planning products, including:
- Economic development strategies, including the Comprehensive Economic Development Strategy (or CDS) document required by the U.S. Economic Development Administration
- Economic adjustment strategies for distressed areas
- Comprehensive land use plans, including GIS mapping and overlays of specific factors of interest - such as soil suitability, sensitive ecological areas, infrastructure, and future growth areas
- Plans for the administration of local revolving loan funds
- Downtown revitalization strategies
- Comprehensive Housing Improvement Strategies (CHIS), working in cooperation with the WSOS Housing and Energy Department.
CD has also prepared reports, studies, and position papers for projects involving downtown development, low-income household banking needs, and business needs. CD can design and produce a customized planning report to address local needs.
To discuss WSOS planning capabilities, contact Ben Kenny at btkenny@wsos.org
|
|
Top