Gigi Woodruff, Moderator
Dave Moore, Resource Delegate
Workgroup Members:
Virginia Bowman, Donald L. Carpenter, Roger Glenhorn, Rick Merolla and Luis M. Proenza
Background
JEDDs (Joint Economic Development Districts) were created by the Ohio
General Assembly for Summit County at the request of the Mayor of Akron. The Mayor
developed the idea in order to expand development opportunities and tax revenues for the
City and at the same time maintain autonomous township boundaries and quality of life.
A Joint Economic Development District is formed as follows: A Township
determines what areas within its boundaries will be part of the JEDD. The Township then
enters into an agreement with the City of Akron whereby the city provides water and sewer
service to the JEDD area. A JEDD Board is set up for each district to maintain the JEDD
structure. The Board then imposes a 2% personal and corporate income tax in the area
covered by the JEDD in accordance with the City of Akron Tax Code. The Township maintains
all property tax and no municipal boundaries are adjusted. The agreement lasts for 99
years with optional renewal provisions. There are currently 4 JEDD agreements which have
been entered into since 1994.
JEDDs have proven to promote regular cooperation and economic growth
while maintaining City and township autonomy, individuality, character, and quality of
life. The JEDDs have also, as an alternative to annexation, permitted regional revenue
sharing and decision making.
Recommendations
The Workgroup on Joint Economic Development Districts believes that the
development of additional JEDDs and cooperation among the City and area Townships for
regional development is desirable and beneficial to the City of Akron as well as the
participating Townships. Therefore, the Work group makes the following recommendations for
the City of Akron over the next twenty-five years.
Goal # 1
In order to generate economic development in areas surrounding Akron
for the mutual benefit of all concerned, the City of Akron should continue to look for
potential areas for JEDD development and explore tax sharing agreements with other
municipalities in order to coordinate regional development.
Goal #2
In order to provide for a sharing of ideas and concerns among all the
JEDD areas, the City of Akron should host an annual meeting of all JEDD Boards. Part of
the discussions should center around regional cooperation for growth as well as
development of creative ways to disburse the tax proceeds.
