Linking Land Use and the Economy: Our Land, Our Water, Our Future

Location: Nationwide and Ohio Farm Bureau 4-H Center, 2201 Fred Taylor Drive on Ohio State's Columbus campus.

Sponsored by Ohio State University Extension, Lake Erie Commission, Ohio Water Resources Council, Ohio Balanced Growth Program and Cleveland State University

The conference kicks off with an introduction by Greg Davis, assistant director, OSU Extension Community Development, followed by discussions on market trends in commercial and residential development in Ohio, and fiscal and tax base planning related to land use. 

Nancy Bowen, an OSU Extension community development field specialist, will moderate a discussion on "Planning for Agriculture as an Economic Force in Ohio's Communities," which will feature remarks from Jill Clark, an Ohio State assistant professor in the John Glenn School of Public Affairs. 

The annual conference usually attracts up to 150 participants and is designed to showcase different tools, trends and ideas about land use in Ohio, said David Civittolo, an OSU Extension educator in community development and the conference coordinator. 

"Participants will learn how to combine land use and economics to improve and enhance the quality of life for residents," Civittolo said. "We want to provide an outside perspective to educate people about the different land use tools available to them with the hope that participants will take those tools back to their communities to be used to enhance the quality of life for their people." 

Other topics to be covered include: Planning for Oil and Gas Scenarios; Local Government Policy for Land Use and Economic Development; Leveraging Storm Water Programs for Revitalization and Brownfield Redevelopment; and Tools to Enhance Economic Benefit through Development Practices. 

Registration for the conference is $55 by Dec. 15 and $65 by Dec. 31. Students may pay $40. The fee includes a continental breakfast, lunch and materials. For more information, contact Civittolo at 330-263-3627 or civittolo.1@osu.edu

Registration can be made online at http://balancedgrowth.ohio.gov/BestLocalLandUsePractices/2013Conference.....