Request for Proposals: RISE Ohio Legal and Technical Assistance for Regional Opportunity Zone Planning

Summary and Background 

The RISE Ohio (Resilience Initiative for Southeastern and Eastern Ohio) is a U.S. EDA Assistance to Coal Communities program initiative led by Ohio University’s Voinovich School, BHRC, and OMEGA focused on economic diversification; Opportunity Zone planning, development, and investment; and assistance to communities impacted by coal fired power plant closures.

Buckeye Hills Regional Council (BHRC) is a council of governments established in 1968 and serves the counties of Athens, Hocking, Meigs, Monroe, Morgan, Noble, Perry and Washington in rural Appalachian Ohio. Buckeye Hills administers funding from multiple State and Federal sources in the areas of community and economic development, transportation planning and aging services in order to address the needs of member communities.

The Ohio Mid-Eastern Governments Association (OMEGA) is a council of governments also established in 1968 and serves the counties of Belmont, Coshocton, Columbiana, Carroll, Guernsey, Harrison, Holmes, Jefferson, Muskingum, and Tuscarawas in eastern Appalachian Ohio. OMEGA provides opportunities in economic and community development through networking, education, planning, research, and allocation of resources and is a Regional Transportation Planning Organization for eight of the ten counties.  OMEGA’s mission is to provide a pathway to enhance community and economic growth in the region.

Project Description

Given the proliferation of Opportunity Zones, the most competitive Opportunity Zones across the nation generally offer additional investment incentives (e.g. TIF, SID, JEDD or other credits) and wrap-around services such as workforce development training, educational access, small business development services, etc. Additionally, the optimal Opportunity Zones in our regions will be near the communities most heavily impacted by the Covid-19 pandemic and the decline in the coal industry.

This RFP is requesting proposals from qualified and interested parties to provide technical assistance and training for our local communities in the 18-county region and designated members of BHRC and OMEGA staff. Project oversight and advisement to the BHRC and OMEGA leadership may also be necessary.

Read more about this program at Buckeye Hills Regional Council’s website: https://buckeyehills.org/news/2021/5/14/request-for-proposals-rise-ohio-legal-and-technical-assistance-for-regional-opportunity-zone-planning