to prepare students for high-tech roles.“We need to nurture and support projects like this,” Painter adds, noting that a pipeline of skilled workers is essential for sustaining Clermont County’s growth. Working closely with the University of Cincinnati Clermont on workforce training and developing a pathway to the University of Cincinnati continue to be a key focus. While large projects like Nestlé Purina and the Innovation Park often grab headlines, McClintick points out that smaller businesses are the backbone of the county’s economy. “Something like 85 to 90% of job growth comes from businesses already in the county,” he says. The county runs a robust business retention program in collaboration with Redi Cincinnati, a regional economic development initiative, to support these companies. “We work closely with our townships, villages, and cities to meet with businesses, understand their needs, and help them grow. It’s not always the big, shiny projects—it’s the smaller ones, like adding 20 jobs here or building a 200,000-square-foot addition there, that collectively drive our success.” 3.75x4.5 > Building economic development in your community. DUKE-ENERGY.COM 3.75x4.5 > Building economic development in your community. DUKE-ENERGY.COM 116 CIVIL AND MUNICIPAL VOLUME 05, ISSUE 12
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