The Winburn Economic Opportunity Plan

By Charlie Winburn

The development of Cincinnati's multi-billion dollar Banks Project, downtown and city neighborhoods. Visit http://www.charliewinburn.com for a downloadable PDF version.

The Development of Cincinnati's Multi-Billion Dollar Banks Project, Downtown and City Neighborhoods

Charles Winburn, M.Ed.

The City of Cincinnati and Hamilton County are embarking upon a long-term economic plan for development of the riverfront region, downtown and city neighborhoods. Charlie Winburn strongly believes that inclusion is the key to the success of these projects and the economic growth of Cincinnati in the future.

Through the promotion of small businesses, as well as women-owned and minority-owned businesses, we can bring together the strengths of many while working toward the common goal of marketing Cincinnati as a leader in our nation's economy. Charlie Winburn is committed to improving the business climate in Cincinnati and to ensuring that everyone has equal access to opportunity.

By first encouraging and nurturing the growth of these entrepreneurs and regional businesses, we can put their strengths to work and utilize their skills to maximize the long-term plan's potential. We must work together, on behalf of the citizens of our communities and the people of Ohio, to achieve our goals for economic development.

The Spirit of Enterprise and Collaboration

When Charlie Winburn returns to Cincinnati City Council, he will be there working toward the goal of allowing everyone the opportunity to participate in the billion dollar Banks project, downtown development and neighborhood commercial development initiatives. He previously served on Cincinnati City Council for seven years and has always stood up to make certain that everyone is at the table of economic opportunity and inclusion.

To make certain there is diversity from top to bottom in promoting economic development, Charlie Winburn will once again be a major voice representing all citizens of Cincinnati, not just a small group of the city's elite business leaders. He recognizes that with the inclusion of a variety of different minds from various business sectors, economic development in Cincinnati will become more efficient and productive.

The Winburn Economic Opportunity Plan calls for the solicitation of the following various business sectors to be encouraged and included in the Banks project, downtown development and neighborhood commercial development:

• Architecture
• Accounting
• Environmental Consulting
• Law Firms
• Money Management
• Finance
• Residential Mortgage lenders
• Hospitality and Tourism
• Women owned Businesses
• Commercial developers
• Home Builders
• Residential Real Estate Companies
• Minority-owned Businesses
• Construction
• Brokerage Firms
• Labor Unions
• Labor Apprenticeships and Internships
• Janitorial Services

Charlie Winburn believes that all should be welcomed to the table of economic development in Cincinnati. We need to make certain we are training a skilled workforce needed to handle the Banks project efforts as well as the high-paying jobs of the future. By marketing Cincinnati as a great place to do business and an easy place to do business, we can attract companies that will add valuable jobs to the region's workforce.

Through the efforts of the Business Leader Roundtable, Charlie Winburn and the other members of the collaborative discussions will work to create 5,000 new high-paying jobs for the City of Cincinnati. He also embraces the AMOS Project's guiding principals of stewardship, transparency, democracy and opportunity as we promote economic inclusion for everyone; particularly minority and women-owned businesses during the development of the Banks Project, downtown and city neighborhoods.

Small Business Development

Small businesses are a critical component to our region and our state. Small businesses, defined as those with fewer than 500 employees, account for half of all private sector jobs in the country.

By embracing small business development in the Greater Cincinnati region, individuals will be encouraged to take that first step toward entrepreneurship, which in turn helps to create an important and dynamic business environment. Overcoming challenges and breaking new ground in business will lead to partnerships that can only be beneficial for the future of a strong Cincinnati economy. Charlie Winburn also strongly supports Disadvantaged Business Enterprise and Small Business Enterprise programs that are commonly used by the federal government and many states and municipalities.

Embracing Minority-Owned Businesses

As the next Cincinnati City Council member, Charlie Winburn will work hard to open doors and break down barriers for minority businesses so they can increase profits and create high-paying jobs.

The Winburn Economic Opportunity Plan calls for working with such groups as:

• Greater Cincinnati Chamber of Commerce
• Greater Cincinnati Women's Chamber of Commerce
• African-American Chamber of Commerce
• Hispanic Chamber of Commerce of Greater Cincinnati
• Asian American Indian Business Group
• Local building trades
• The 5-Member Banks Working Group
• The Banks Working Group's Economic Inclusion and Workforce Development Taskforce
• Port of Greater Cincinnati Development Authority

Women-owned businesses are being created at three times the rate of growth for overall new businesses. With such a dynamic force in the state's marketplace, women entrepreneurs should be supported and encouraged to bring their skills to the table for the betterment of Cincinnati's economy. Charlie Winburn will reach out to women business owners to be a part of his Business Leadership Roundtable to find out what can be done to ensure their inclusion into the city's long-term development plan.

City Neighborhood Development

Charlie Winburn will work with the leadership of the 52 city neighborhoods to assist them in finding ways to revitalize their commercial districts and strengthen the partnership with the City of Cincinnati to promote job creation. He will support the community council's right to self-determination and initiatives such as clean-up campaigns, storefront redevelopment, streetscape projects, business attractions, crime prevention, parking improvements as well as residential and commercial development.

Working Together Toward a Solution

Working to promote inclusion and economic opportunity for all should be accomplished by a group of business leaders of diverse thinking and backgrounds. Charlie Winburn's Business Leadership Roundtable is a proactive effort to promote our city and region in a global economic market. The leadership will meet once a month to work toward the improvement of communication, collaboration and teamwork amongst city and county leaders.

Proposed topics for discussion and implementation:

• How to reduce government taxes and hidden fees on businesses.
• Find ways to create more high-paying jobs.
• Find ways to eliminate government bureaucratic red tape on businesses.
• Make it easier to do commercial and residential development in Cincinnati.
• How to use tax incentives to attract more businesses to Cincinnati.
• How to mobilize the business leaders to make certain that everyone has an opportunity to partner in our billion dollar future Riverfront Development.
• How to promote the Cincinnati Convention Center more effectively.
• How to promote regional and national tourism more effectively.
• Find more effective ways to utilize the city's financial tools such as tax increment financing (TIF), tax credit (JCTC) agreements and general development agreements to attract major headquarter companies to the region.
• Discuss stock options, market share, productivity, profits, innovation, technology and inclusion.