Unveiling Cincinnati's Potential: State of the Region Highlights

Yesterday, the Chamber’s Center for Research and Data released our annual State of the Region report presented by First Financial Bank. This report is fundamental to so much of what we do at the Chamber as we work to grow our population, our economy, and our cultural vibrancy. And importantly, there are insights to be gleaned about what we must do to make sure Cincinnati is a place where everyone belongs.

A few things worth highlighting:

This year, we included county-by-county growth scenarios for our region. One scenario is a baseline, and another takes a look at what happens if we lose population. The scenario we should focus on is the one that shows dramatically increased growth, resulting from a focus on retaining talent from Universities, attracting new businesses that grow our economy, and driving cultural vibrancy in our region. Growth comes as a result of focused efforts on policy, economic investments, and belonging. And we’re actively working on all three.?

We also included demographics about our Gen Z population. You’ll see that we have a higher percentage of Gen Z population than many of our peers. But we must work to retain that cohort—key to our future growth. In the coming weeks, we’ll have more on how we can support and retain Gen Z talent in our region. Our industry spotlight this year is on Arts & Culture thanks to our partners at ArtsWave . What we found was staggering.?With the 2024 edition of BLINK being the best yet, and ArtsWave seeing a record year for giving, I’m excited to share that arts and arts-related industries had even larger total impact on the region—contributing $5.4 billion to our gross domestic product in 2023 alone. Our arts and cultural industries are not only growing our cultural vibrancy, they’re driving our economy too.

There is fantastic data within the report about transportation, health, housing, and diversity. We also included links to the important Urban League of Greater Southwestern Ohio ’s “State of Black Cincinnati” report and to Cincinnati Compass and Film Cincinnati websites for additional perspectives on our community. Our Center for Research and Data team is available to you to discuss this data in more depth anytime. Just let us know how we can help your business and organization with data and insights.

But who are we kidding? This weekend you don’t want to curl up with data, you want to cradle a cream puff and Sam Adams. So starting today through Sunday, we’ll see you at Oktoberfest at Sawyer Point & Yeatman’s Cove for a?Cincinnati tradition: Oktoberfest Zinzinnati!? PROST!

The?Nelson Schwab, Jr. Distinguished Alumni Award?recognizes outstanding Leadership Cincinnati alumni whose contributions to the betterment of the Cincinnati region distinguishes them as a “Leader Among Leaders.” Since 1985, the Cincinnati Regional Chamber has been proud to hand out this award to 43 deserving individuals. In 2005, Graydon Head & Ritchey LLP made a memorial gift to the Cincinnati Chamber to honor the leadership and many civic contributions of firm partner, Nelson Schwab, Jr. Funds were used to rename the award the “The Nelson Schwab, Jr. Distinguished Leadership Alumni Award,” an award previously known as the “Distinguished Leadership Alumni Award.”

Congratulations to the first of two Distinguished Alumni honorees, Wym Portman , President, Gallatin, LLC. Wym is a graduate of Leadership Cincinnati Class 10 and has been an active member of the Cincinnati community for many years. Wym began giving back to the region while leading Portman Equipment and later Pon North America for over 25 years. He has continued to volunteer and served as a leader of many boards across the city as well. Wym and his wife Jan are committed to conservation, working landscapes, and vibrant communities.???

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Monthly Member Briefing | October 3, 2024

Join us for our next Monthly Member Briefing, featuring our keynote speaker, Ann Reed , the Cincinnati/Dayton Division President for Kroger . Ann began working at Kroger in 1993, starting in the Central Division. Since then, she has served in several leadership positions in Merchandising and Operations -- including store manager, buyer, category manager, Deli/Baker merchandiser, director of Deli/Bakery, and director of Fresh Ready Meals. It is safe to say that the Kroger DNA runs deep in Ann's work.

By attending the October Monthly Member Briefing, you will get to hear more updates regarding Kroger's developments in our region.?Following Ann's keynote, you will hear from featured Cincinnati Chamber member, NAMI (National Alliance of Mental Illness ) Southwest Ohio. NAMI advocates for those struggling with mental illness while also providing a wide array of resources to help those with mental illness and their families.

After Ann's keynote, you'll hear from a Cincinnati Chamber teammate to give updates on upcoming Chamber initiatives. Register Today

WE Lead | Class 19

Please join us in congratulating the 60 participants selected for this year's WE Lead program. As the flagship program of the Women Excel platform at the Leadership Center, WE Lead is focused on development, opportunities, resources, and connections for women leaders in this region. Throughout the 10-month program, participants have space to invest in themselves by tapping into multiple angles of growth, including engaging with other women, developing strategic goals, and executing their aspirations.

Class 19 includes leaders from a diverse group of industries, companies, and backgrounds across the Cincinnati region. In its 18-year history, almost 1,000 women have graduated from WE Lead. Learn More

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