On February 10, 2010 the Center for Public Administration and Public Policy at Kent State University held a forum on intergovernmental collaboration in Northeast Ohio. Daniel Smith, Economid Development Director of Kent discussed the economic benefits and challenges to establishing a Joint Economic Development District (JEDD)

1. Economic Achievement
through Mutually Beneficial
Collaborations
Join Economic
Development Districts
JEDDs

2. Economic Development
It’s all about jobs!!
• Other considerations:
 Being Development Ready
 Retail Attraction
 Industrial Attraction
 Planning
 Incentive Programs
 Promotional & Marketing Materials

3. ED Impact: City of Kent
 90% of the revenues that fund our city services,
e.g., police, fire, snow plowing, pothole repair,
finance, etc., comes from income taxes.
 Our total annual budget is in the $37- 38 million
dollar range- currently a little higher due to the
Crain Avenue Bridge projects and bike trails.
Income taxes from employees of local Kent
businesses account for roughly 29%, or well over
10 million, in annual revenues.

4. Jobs
 1 minimum wage job
in the City limits
contributes as much
to our general fund
as someone paying
property taxes on a
$146,000 home.

5. Joint Economic
Development Districts
 Increasing the tax base, investment &
commercial activity
 Old City Growth Model- Annexation
 Townships cannot pass an income tax,
JEDDs allow for win-win
 Can increase infrastructure (water, sewer, &
utilities) to a district.
 Allows for increased joint marketing and
promotion of new sites- investment!

6. Steps to Creating a JEDD
 Communication & Collaboration with
Neighboring Community- Unanimous
Elected Officials Support Important
 Negotiate Contracts- Agreement,
Boundaries (Large tracts are easier),
By-Laws
 Sign-up: Voluntary & Conscription
 Filing and Amendments

7. JEDD Area Maps- District
Defined

8. Creating/Operating a
JEDD

9. JEDDs- Joint Economic
Development Districts
 JEDD revenues have been experiencing
continued growth, over $983,8760 in new
revenues from the Franklin Township JEDD
since February 2007, as businesses and
employment continues to increase along the
SR 59 corridor, predominantly from the Wal-
Mart Plaza (Hibbet Sporting Goods, Good
Will Store, Radio Shack additions). The
Brimfield JEDD generated $146,791 since
December or 1995.

10. Distribution Examples
 Franklin Kent JEDD (since February ’07)
• City: $541, 132 Township: $442,744
 Brimfield Kent JEDD (since December ’05)
• City: $80,735 Township: $66,056
• .5% Maintenance Set-Aside

11. Marketing the JEDDs
Districts

12. Questions & Answers
• Dan Smith, Economic Development
Director, City of Kent
• Ken Penix, Township Administrator
Franklin Township
• Thank You