Our latest #GOPCThread is up on Twitter today, provides highlights of our recent update to our "From Akron to Zanesville" report on Ohio's SMLCs and provides context into how this could have an impact on the 2020 General Election Cycle

Not on Twitter, the thread is available online , as well as below.

Greater Ohio Policy Center Read on Twitter

Today’s #GOPCThread features highlights from our report “From Akron to Zanesville: How Are Ohio’s Small & Mid-Sized Legacy Cities Fairing” and the document’s 2020 update, as well as how the current state of affairs in Ohio could impact the 2020 election cycle.

You can read the full "A-Z" report which is currently available on our website #GOPCThread

Our small & mid-sized legacy cities are central to Ohio’s heritage of innovation & manufacturing, but they have experienced decades of economic & population declines. 2018 data showed they were stabilizing, before COVID-19, but they’re still not as strong as they were in 2000.

Population loss is slowing; from 2014-2018, our legacy cities experienced population loss at much lower rates than they did between 2000 & 2014. The State of Ohio, overall, and the City of Columbus in particular, experienced population growth #GOPCThread

Before the pandemic, unemployment was down across legacy cities, but numbers still exceeded those of 2000. Our research shows legacy cities haven’t been disproportionately impacted by the COVID-19 Recession but could have a difficult time recovering w/o state support #GOPCThread

The economy has always been a leading contender for why the electorate votes in any given election. “It’s the economy stupid” has been a part of America’s political lexicon for nearly 30 years and it could again be a major factor in the 2020 elections up and down the ballot.

In 2018, poverty in Ohio was improving. However, because of the COVID-19 pandemic, we can expect these trends to change. In 2016, the Akron to Zanesville report said, from 2000-2014, the poverty rate increased by 50% in Ohio. #GOPCThread

To ensure legacy cities can continue to address their poverty challenges, they need support for capacity building. Ohio needs to assist legacy cities in becoming vibrant, prosperous & connected places—making them poised to compete in the global marketplace. #GOPCThread

Enacting both capacity building & placemaking programs has been and continues to be a key priority in GOPCs legislative agenda. Our full policy agenda is on our website and download a PDF version #GOPCThread

Ohio’s housing values & vacancies started to see positive change, but they were still a challenge in 2018. From 2014-2018, legacy cities saw declines in home values & growth in long-term housing vacancy. Due to COVID-19, support for housing will remain a critical need in Ohio.

To empower legacy cities to be stronger on the other side of the pandemic, State policymakers should enact strategic tools & incentives that spur new housing for all of Ohio’s homeowners and renters, while also limiting sprawl. #GOPCThread

Our #GOPCThread last week focused on the need for #RentAssistanceNow, in case you missed it, here is a summary of the urgent need facing Ohio and why action is needed from policymakers and lawmakers.

Beyond empty housing, the Akron to Zanesville report says Ohio has hundreds of acres of brownfields, which may worsen due to COVID. In response, Ohio should encourage brownfield investment w/dedicated funding that is flexible, sustainable, & complementary to other programs.

Investing in brownfield mitigation and revitalization has been popular with Ohio voters. The last time a bond package was on the ballot (2008), voters overwhelmingly voted to support funding for Ohio’s CORF program. #GOPCThread

GOPC is supporting a new effort to provide dedicated funding for CORF. Investing in brownfields and preparing Ohio for new investment post-COVID will be important and needs to be addressed by candidates up and down the ballot. #GOPCThread

To check out the latest data on how Ohio’s legacy cities are faring and what support they need from the State, visit our website, and be sure to check-back later this month when we feature our 2020 Candidate Questions on a future #GOPCThread