By Alex Highley, GOPC Project Coordinator

This year, Greater Ohio Policy Center (GOPC) celebrates a decade of championing redevelopment and sustainable growth of Ohio’s cities and regions. Since its founding in 2008, GOPC has supported policies that encourage responsible land use and community revitalization. GOPC has worked endlessly to remediate brownfields, support legacy cities, diversify Ohio’s transportation system, improve Ohio’s housing stock, and facilitate collaboration among state and local governments.

GOPC marked the occasion at the Ohio Statehouse with legislators and organizations that have worked side by side with GOPC over the years. Following brief remarks from GOPC’s Executive Director Alison Goebel and Board Chair Angela Mingo, GOPC was honored to have Senate President Larry Obhof, Senate Minority Leader Kenny Yuko, House Majority Whip Tom Patton, and House Minority Leader Fred Strahorn offer their congratulations and praise for GOPC’s work to revitalize Ohio’s communities.

In his remarks, Representative Patton noted: “I’ve always thought of [Greater Ohio] as the conscience of Ohio. You remind us every day that no matter what our political beliefs, at the end of the day we have to do the right policy for the people of Ohio.” House Speaker Cliff Rosenberger, who unfortunately could not attend, graciously offered GOPC a proclamation of celebration (pictured right), which notes that GOPC’s “stellar efforts have certainly made Ohio a greater place for all,” and offering “the highest praise” for “this exemplary institution.”

View the full recording of the event - available here!

Senate President Obhof, Leader Yuko, and Leader Strahorn applauded the “good ideas and policy solutions” GOPC develops, highlighting GOPC’s work in supporting land banks to redevelop derelict properties and to create strong tax dollars, while noting GOPC’s role to help “reclaim and reinvest in our cities.”

Keep an eye out on our website for our Decade in Review, which highlights our major milestones over the years.

Pictured in left photo, speaking: Ohio Senate President Larry Obhof; pictured in right photo, speaking: Ohio Senate Minority Leader Kenny Yuko

From left in both: Representative Tom Patton, Representative Fred Strahorn, GOPC Executive Director Alison Goebel, GOPC Board Chair Angela Mingo

GOPC is grateful for the work of its current and former Board and staff to make the last 10 years such a success. We would also like to acknowledge the support from our partners and thanks everyone who was able to attend the celebration. GOPC looks forward to achieving another ten years of success in creating vibrant cities and communities across Ohio.

Thank you again to our event sponsors - platinum sponsors: JPMorgan Chase and PNC Bank; gold sponsors: Fifth Third Bank and Ohio Capital Corporation for Housing; and silver sponsor: The Nature Conservancy.

Pictured above (from left): Representative Tom Patton, Representative Fred Strahorn, GOPC Executive Director Alison Goebel