Journal-News.com

HAMILTON — Former state Rep. Gene Krebs said that post-industrial cities like Hamilton may be in a rough spot, but they have a big positive working for them: Downtowns.

Krebs, co-director of the nonpartisan Greater Ohio that is aimed at revitalizing cities, is traveling the state touting the organization's Restoring our Prosperity initiative. He said Ohio is losing its young professionals to cities like Boston or New York City because they are viewed as the place to be. Revitalizing downtowns would keep young people here and add an economic generator to cities.

"If you can get them to come to your community, 20 years later they start spinning off companies of their own," he said.

Krebs said Greater Ohio has identified 32 cities across the state that were post-industrial cities in need of a boost to regain their former glory. Among them are Hamilton and Middletown.

Greater Ohio's program is based on research by the Brookings Institution, which identified nine Ohio cities as economically struggling in a nationwide study. Greater Ohio expanded the list by including cities with smaller populations.

"The older industrial cities have been the forgotten stepchildren," Krebs said.

Krebs wants to find out what cities need from the state to "put the pieces together." He believes cities will be able to cooperate despite traditionally viewing each other as competitors.

"It's not Hamilton versus Mansfield anymore," he said. "It's America versus China."

In coming weeks, Krebs expects to meet with the Vision 2020 Commission to discuss Hamilton's needs. His tour will culminate with a policy summit in Columbus on Sept. 10.

For more information, visit greaterohio.org.

Contact this reporter at (513) 820-2190 or jrinaldi@coxohio.com.