OCCD Spring Meeting

Forecast: Networking with a Chance of Learning

As I write the Spring Meeting article, snow is falling outside beneath gray skies and 24-degree temperatures. In just a few days, it will be 74 and sunny — because, of course, it’s Ohio, our fickle four-season friend. Grab a bathing suit and a winter coat; you’ll need to be ready for anything. Weather aside, one thing you can count on is a strong lineup for this year’s OCCD Spring Meeting.

The Spring Meeting will be held in person on April 30, 2026, at The Ohioan Hotel & Event Center, located at 100 Green Meadows Drive S, Lewis Center, OH. The Ohioan was formerly known as the Nationwide Hotel and Conference Center, where we have held our meetings and conferences in the past. It’s a beautiful venue with upscale amenities and has quickly become one of our favorites.

The day will kick off with a presentation around the dreaded “F” word - Findings! Wesley Watkins and Ross Cunningham from the Ohio Department of Development will cover the most common findings identified when monitoring grantees, along with strategies to prevent them. They will also provide a peek into preparing for the state application.

With April being Fair Housing Month, the Spring Meeting would not be complete without a fair housing session. The morning will continue with a presentation from Carolyn Thurman of Civic Uplift. With recent policy changes, many grantees are left wondering what is required and what has been placed on hold. Navigating Fair Housing Policy Shifts will explore these changes and their impact at the local administrative level.

After a short networking break, Alex Sherlock and Macy Patton from Hamilton County will discuss their Reconnecting Community Grant (RCG) project. The RCG program supports efforts to address the impacts of past transportation projects that divided neighborhoods, with funding for planning and implementation that restore connectivity and expand access to opportunity.

After lunch, and following the OCCD business meeting, join Tony Core of Kutak Rock as he provides timely insight into legislative developments in the Ohio General Assembly that impact housing, community, and economic development.

The 15% public service cap can feel limiting, especially when there’s so much more that could be done. What if there’s a way to stretch it further? Caity Valley of Hamilton County will walk through the innovative ways the County uses CDBOs to increase support for public services while staying within CDBG requirements.

The Spring Meeting will conclude with a presentation from Enterprise Community Partners, highlighting their Faith-Based Development Initiative. Through this initiative, Enterprise provides faith-based partners with the knowledge, tools, and capital products needed to develop affordable housing in communities across the country.

 We look forward to connecting in person this spring and continuing the conversations that strengthen communities across Ohio. Join us this April for a day of learning, networking, and shared expertise.

Donna Everson, VP, OCCD