economic development

Commissioners selected six communities for a grant program to help improve the appearance of their business districts.

The $17.6-million building with 146,000-square feet of space is being built behind the Latonia Commerce Center.

Cincinnati will spend $3 million to purchase the now-empty location of the former Saks Fifth Avenue Downtown. The department store permanently closed at the end of last year.

But Christopher Smitherman, the former council member who suggested it, questions whether the audit went far enough.

Cincinnati Council voted Wednesday to approve $1.2 million in financing to redevelop the former Macy's at Fountain Square.

Cincinnati Council voted 8-0 Wednesday to ban some campaign contributions in an effort to combat corruption, and to create a new position to oversee all reform efforts at City Hall.

A director of ethics and good government could take on responsibility for implementing anti-corruption reform in Cincinnati. Creating that new position is a key part of City Manager Paula Boggs Muething's reform recommendations, outlined in a new report.

Some of the high points for the county include a strong Fortune 500 company presence; market competitiveness; successful urban core revitalization; and a "climate safe zone." Downsides included a "poor transportation system;" high property tax rates; high poverty rates and job growth in low-wage jobs; low number of immigrants; uneven market performance; and economic liabilities around infrastructure, like bridges.

Hamilton County officials want feedback as they begin an economic disparity study.

Some say the recommendations don't go far enough to fix a system that led to three council member indictments last year.