Director's Blog

Evidence based decision making…….it’s critical. I can tell you that I am scared to death of making gut based decisions. You should be scared of your own gut as well. […]

A consultant came to a group of legislators and economic developers and preached to the choir. For many it was probably the first time they had ever given thought to […]

We spent quite a bit of time this year refining our scope of work, examining the areas where we can make the most impact, and considered the larger needs of […]

When I first arrived back in the valley after a few years away, I was quickly whisked into a committee of concerned and eager citizens from the Belpre Chamber. The […]

Much is made in the econ dev world of the importance of incentives. In higher, more competitive circles, the discussion usually centers around what incentive, rebate, program the end user […]

Environmental study Geotechnical study Archeological study Wetlands delineation Endangered species study These five studies are the baseline for any site development program. What may not be pre-requisites for the average […]

https://www.brookings.edu/research/countering-the-geography-of-discontent-strategies-for-left-behind-places/ Interesting read on what some scholars at the Brookings Institute believe will assist the “left behind places”. For the record, we are one of those left behind places. Smaller […]

“Reduce or eliminate tax incentives for retail and commercial store development” This was a ringing theme in the 2003 Marietta City Comprehensive plan. Something happened in the process of securing […]

Last week I wrote about how Landowners hold the keys to the creation of shovel ready sites …….. (that is unless local governments begin tax delinquent property collection for purposes […]

In recent weeks much has been said about the dearth in shovel ready sites in our region. Last evening my partner across the river Lindsey Kerr-Piersol continued to bang the […]