Release Date: Oct 28, 2008
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Summary:
On Tuesday, October 28, 2008, Montgomery County was named one of 15 Ohio communities that will receive funds through the Local Government Services and Regional Collaboration Grant Program.

Montgomery County will receive an $80,000 grant to conduct a feasibility study for the creation of a multi-county economic development collaborative.  This collaborative would include Greene and Miami Counties as well as over a dozen Montgomery County jurisdictions.  The collaborative would create a fund of investment dollars that each jurisdiction could use for workforce development, such as training programs. 

"Regional collaboration is an important part of our strategic plan.  We are hopeful that this effort will be a model of regional collaboration that benefits all of the counties and jurisdictions involved," said Montgomery County Commissioner Dan Foley.

The collaborative would also increase the region's economic competitiveness, better utilize land and transportation resources, increase returns from business growth and competitiveness, and reduce business development costs.

The feasibility study will be conducted by the Center for Urban and Public Affairs (CUPA) at Wright State University.

15 Ohio communities received a total of $1 million through the grant program.  The recipients were announced by Ohio Lieutenant Governor Lee Fisher.