Regionalism Means Sharing

During numerous conversations this week across Northeast Ohio I was challenged to explain what "regionalism" really means. Every person brings their own perspective and experience to defining that term. Those of us who are working to build stronger connections across Northeast Ohio need to be careful not to assume that everyone perceives "regionalism" as inevitable as the sunrise.

Many have good reason to view regionalism with great suspicion -- even if they agree it is unavoidable. For example, in rural Northeast Ohio the concept of regional economic growth normally means suburban sprawl invading their communities and changing their way of life for the worse. In urban Northeast Ohio, regionalism often means giving up control of public assets to suburban interests.

This is not what we mean with Advance Northeast Ohio, our region's economic action plan. Instead, we view regionalism as an opportunity to share. Hudson Mayor William Currin recently addressed one element of sharing with the Hudson Chamber of Commerce.

We need to do a better job in Northeast Ohio of sharing:

• Risk
• Revenue
• Assets
• Skills
• Ideas
• Opportunities

And much more. If we begin to share the benefits of economic growth and share the opportunities being created throughout the region, then Northeast Ohio will indeed offer a much brighter future for everyone. But it is up to us working on Advance Northeast Ohio to show that our regional economic development efforts are truly about sharing.