Cities can't go it alone anymore: Federal help for deteriorating neighborhoods

Yesterday, Lavea Brachman, Co-Director of Greater Ohio, joined Senator Brown to discuss legislation that would create a new competitive program within the U.S. Department of Housing and Community Development (HUD) targeted towards cities and metropolitan areas experiencing large-scale property vacancy and abandonment due to long-term employment and population losses. The program would provide funds to demolish abandoned properties, find innovative uses for old structures, and create green space. Brown and Brachman will outline how Ohio communities could use funds from the Community Regeneration, Sustainability and Innovation Act to rebuild blighted urban areas."Brown announced the legislation, the Community Regeneration, Sustainability and Innovation Act of 2009, during a conference call Wednesday. The three-year, $500 million demonstration program would provide funding to 15 small cities of 150,000 people or fewer and 15 large cities over the three years to find innovative ways of dealing with vacant structures and properties to improve the character of the neighborhoods in which they are located."

"Cities can't go it alone anymore," said Lavea Brachman, co-director of Greater Ohio, which runs a statewide vacant property redevelopment coalition.

Read the full article Senator working on bill to help deteriorating neighborhoods.

On a positive note, Ohio is experiencing Economic Development

Lately it seems that the news is filled with depressing stories of bankruptcy, foreclosures, and unemployment. However, as bleak as is looks now, there is hope. As the economist Paul Romer once said "A Crisis is a terrible things to waste" and Cincinnati appears to be taking that message to heart. Despite the increase in unemployment, the city is continues to rank highly for ecnomic development expansion projects. However, Cincinnati isn't the only one to encourage development during these hard times, Site Selection magazine's "Top Metros of 2008" also ranked Dayton, Ohio first in economic development expansion projects among cities with less than 1 million in population. Ohio's cities still have a lot to our offer businesses, residents and workers and it is important that we align state policy with cities' urban agendas in order to invest in our cities' assets to continue to fuel development.

Read more about Cincinnati and Dayton at the Business Courier "Site Selection: Ohio, Cincy good for economic development"

Does this scene look familiar to you?

"Warren Ohio Decay to Growth?" aptly describes the phenomenon occurring in Ohio. Many of Ohio's cities are experiencing decay as business close and workers leave in search of jobs. The times are changing and it is important that Ohio's cities recognize this and make a plan that will adopt policies that fit with new economic times. One aspect that cities need to re-evaluate their size. How big should a city be? Is it realistic to expect cities to regain the population size they enjoyed in the 1950's? Warren, Ohio is case and point. The city has wonderful qualities but it is facing decay with the out-migration of people. Rob Hathhorn offers a look inside the city. As you watch the video as yourself, "Does this resemble your city?"  If so, what is your plan for the future?

Federal Metropolitan Recovery and Spending Priorities

Metropolitan Recovery and Spending Priorities

    RESEARCH AND COMMENTARY

    Save to My PortfolioSustainability and Quality Places

    Jennifer Bradley, March 02, 2009, The Brookings Institution

    Sustainability and Quality PlacesJennifer Bradley argues that sustainable growth strengthens our existing metropolitan areas, conserves fiscal and natural resources and advances our nation’s efforts to address climate change and find alternative sources of energy. She notes how President Obama's first budget advances some of these goals. Read More

    Metropolitan Recovery and Spending Priorities, American Recovery and Reinvestment Plan, Economic Mobility, Sustainable Development

    Interesting Legislative News

    Film industry tax credit passes Ohio House

    Thursday, March 5, 2009 12:09 AM EST

    By John Arthur Hutchison JHutchison@News-Herald.com

    Legislation to provide tax credits to the film industry passed the Ohio House of Representatives in Columbus.

    House Bill 6 was approved Tuesday by a 83-14 margin. The measure is sponsored by state Reps. Mark Schneider, D-Mentor, and Matt Patten, D-Strongsville.

    Schneider said the bill was the first to pass the House during this two-year session of the Ohio General Assembly.

    Under H.B. 6, filmmakers who come to Ohio would receive a refundable tax credit based on 25 percent of their eligible expenditures, Schneider said.

    The bill caps the credit at $20 million during the biennium and $5 million per production.

    Schneider said bipartisan support of the legislation was important to its success in the Ohio House.

    "The fact that it was supported by members of both sides of the aisle is an honor," he said. "It sends a message to Ohio that our General Assembly will aggressively pursue all areas to find investment and jobs for Ohioans." Read the full article

    Regionalism is in the air in Ohio

    Regionalism, one of the Restoring to Prosperity's major pillars, is receiving more attention as the economy shrinks and companies are researching new ways to streamline production and identify a work force for developing industries in the area. Not only are manufacturers across the nation interested in regionalism as a way to move their production closer to the customers which will dramatically cut costs (see Reuter's' article, "Manufacturing execs see more regional approach", Ohio and Pennsylvania counties are trying to reap its benefits as well. Counties in the two states realize that they are interconnected and have formed the Interstate Region Collaborative in order to study workforce patterns and match worker skills to the industries already there. "the Interstate Region group has received a $250,000 grant from the U.S. Department of Labor. Those funds have been used for study and development of a plan that includes such areas as trends in the five counties, industry analysis, an understanding of the local labor market and educational infrastructure." (Read the full article)

    The changing economy demands that we looks at new ways to do business in Ohio and the Interstate Region Group is the first step in doing so.

    Does Cleveland have a sensible plan to shrink?

    Interesting comments on the blog, Brewed Fresh Daily, about Cleveland and its strategic plan.

    Ed Morrison · Does Cleveland have a sensible plan to shrink?

    February 25th, 2009

    The same question arises in Detroit:

  • Commentary: Will next mayor continue Detroit’s death spiral?

    • Cleveland can look to Youngstown…where the city has developed an international reputation for confronting reality and finding opportunity.

  • Smaller is Better for Youngstown, Ohio
  • The Incredible Shrinking City

    • In regional economic development, demography defines your trajectory.

    The Greater Cleveland Partnership, some years ago, published a strategy named Cleveland on the Edge.

    But “Edge of what?”

    Responses to “Does Cleveland have a sensible plan to shrink?”

    Click here to read the responses

    Federal Policies that will effect Ohio- what can you do?

    Two weeks ago, Greater Ohio attended the Revitalizing Older Cities -Capitol Hill Summit in D.C. in order to meet with fellow activists, community organizers, civic leaders, elected officials and to explore case studies, exchange ideas, and communicate to Members of Congress the message that the overall health of our nation is measured by the health of our cities. Jennifer Vey, from the Brookings Institution gave a compelling presentation on the "Role of Federal Policy in the Rejuvenation of Older Industrial Cities" (pdf). Other topics discussed included: Water Infrastructure; Vacant/Abandoned Properties and Brownfields; Innovation; Transportation;  and Job Growth. View the presentations.

    As the federal stimulus package is distributed, it is vital that Ohioans impact federal policies in ways that give the state the greatest ability to use stimulus dollars to invest in sustainable, growth projects. Below is a list of actions that you can take to impact federal policies that effect state revitalization:

    A Federal Legislative Agenda for Revitalizing Older Cities:

    Transportation:

    • HR 5951/S 2686 Safe and Complete Streets Act of 2008 was a bill introduced last year by Representative Matsui (D-CA) and Senator Harkin (D-IA) that would ensure that all users of the transportation system, including pedestrians, bicyclists, and transit users- including children, older individuals, and individuals with disabilities- are all able to travel safely and conveniently on streets and highways. The legislation encourages the use of non-motorized transportation modes, a key factor in creating healthier, more livable cities.

    Housing:

    • Support additional federal action to stop foreclosures and to give more resources directly to cities, particularly those cities and towns struggling with foreclosures and abandoned properties prior to the most recent wave of foreclosures.
    • HR 1033/ S 584 were introduced last year by the late Representative Stephanie Tubbs Jones (D-OH) and Senator Blanche Lincoln (D-AR). Enhancing the historic rehabilitation tax credit provisions make them work better with the low-income tax credit. This will further the use of older buildings for affordable housing. This bill will create an incentive for the redevelopment of our city’s architectural treasures and stimulate housing options for less fortunate families at the same time.
    • HR 2075 and S1239 introduced last year by Representative Richard Neal (D-MA) and Senator John Rockefeller IV (D-VW) these bills would extend the New Markets Tax Credit. This tax incentive has been a very successful mechanism in channeling investment dollars to neighborhoods most in need. Past projects that utilized New Markets Tax Credit funding have provided housing choices, stimulated local economies, and significantly reinvigorated challenged communities. HR 2075 and S 1239 would reauthorize the program until 2013.

    Water Infrastructure:

    • In order to meet the water infrastructure needs of our nation, Congressman Blumenauer is proposing draft legislation to create a Water Trust Fund. The mission of this trust is to provide a deficit-neutral, consistent and fire-walled source of revenue to states to support the replacement, repair, and rehabilitation of clean and drinking water infrastructure. The overall federal government contribution to total clean water spending has shrunk from 78% in 1978 to 3% today. The GAO, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, the Congressional Budget Office, and the Water Infrastructure Network, have estimated that the nation faces a growing water infrastructure funding gap of between $300-50 billion between what is currently being spent and what must be spent over the next 20 years in order to upgrade our again water infrastructure.

    Vacant Properties and Brownfields:

    • Representative Tim Ryan (D-OH) is introducing The Community Regeneration, Sustainability, and Innovation Act of 2009. This bill would encourage and test innovative vacant property reclamation and urban infrastructure renewal strategies in older industrial cities and metropolitan areas with a history of severe population and job loss. This bill would address blight and decay caused by abundant brownfields and vacant properties, and would provide tools for new strategies.
    • HR 2080 creates a new tax credit to assist states and local governments to clean-up contaminated industrial lands that pose threats to public health and our local economy. Even with state incentives designed to encourage the redevelopment of brownfields, thousands of acres of brownfields remain idle. Federal incentives to bring private dollars to these problem areas would be a significant step toward patting these brownfields back into sage and productive use.

    Economic and Workforce Development:

    • S 3078 -introduced in the last Congress by Senator Susan Collins, the National Innovation and Job Creation Act of 2008 establishes in the Executive Office of the President a National Innovation Council, to be responsible for formulating and advocating for the federal government’s innovation policy. The bill requires the Council to collaborate with major statistical agencies, collect data concerning the impact on productivity of the council’s programs, and annually report to Congress on national innovation and productivity. S 3078 places the Council under the direction of a National Innovation Council Board.

    Green Jobs and Sustainable Cities:

    • Introduced by Representative Perlmutter (D-Co) last year, H.R. 6078, the Green Resources for Energy Efficient Neighborhoods Act of 2008 or the GREEN Act of 2008 set provisions concerning Housing of Urban Development (HUD) energy efficiency and conservation standards and green building standards for structures (conservation standards). The bill requires the Secretary of HUD to conduct a program to demonstrate the effectiveness of funding a portion of the costs of carrying out energy efficiency and conservation and green building measures for multi-family housing projects for which rental assistance is provided under a covered multi-family assistance program. H.R. 6078 amends the Housing and Community Development Act of 1992 to provide for credits for Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac for mortgage Association Charter Act, the Federal Home Loan Mortgage Corporation Act, and the Federal Home Loan Corporation Act, and the Federal Home Loan Bank Act to include provisions concerning energy-efficient mortgages and location efficient mortgages.

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