Logan County Commissioner Joe Antram attended the 2023 CCAO Summer Symposium recently at Cherry Valley Hotel in Licking County.
The theme of the symposium was “Economic Development Strategies: Ohio Counties Reaching Forward.” The event offered an opportunity for county commissioners, executives and council members and their staff to interact with a wide array of distinguished experts, lawmakers and cabinet directors and learn about issues relevant in every county.
“This year’s CCAO summer conference provided several insights on economic development and housing that can be applied to Logan County. I also acquired information on how the recently passed State Budget may impact our community,” Antram said.
Wednesday and Thursday, attendees learned about Robert’s Rules of Order, the broadband landscape in Ohio, the role that county landbanks play in economic development, as well as workforce and economic development initiatives in counties around the state.
Thursday afternoon, statewide officials held interactive roundtable discussions with county officials and staff. Director of Legislative Affairs for Governor DeWine Giles Allen, Director of Agriculture Brian Baldridge, Director of Development Lydia Mihalik, and Director of the Ohio EPA Anne Vogel all sat down with representatives of counties to hear their issues and discuss initiatives their departments and offices are taking to help counties tackle issues in their communities.
Friday, there was a panel with legislators to inform members on the role counties can play in advocating for Association priorities and their individual county issues, inform members of pending legislation that will benefit counties, and more. The legislators in attendance were Representative Thaddeus Claggett, House Assistant Minority Whip Dontavius Jarrells, Representative Adam Mathews, House Minority Leader Allison Russo, Senator Tim Schaffer, and Representative Brian Stewart. CCAO appreciates the opportunity to work closely with the state legislature and DeWine-Husted Administration as we continue to build stronger counties for a stronger Ohio.
The County Commissioners Association of Ohio advances effective county government for Ohio through legislative advocacy, education and training, technical assistance and research, quality enterprise service programs, and greater citizen awareness and understanding of county government.