Statewide Economy Project: How Can We Make Ohio More Vibrant?

We want to hear your ideas on how to bring new vibrancy to the Dayton-Springfield-Middletown area.

Who are we? Your local news media. About 50 Ohio news outlets have partnered in the Your Voice Ohio project to find new ways to listen to citizens of our communities and represent them better in our work. Newspapers, radio and TV in the Dayton-Springfield-Yellow Springs area are among them.

Over the next two weeks we'll have open conversations in nine communities across the state as we launch this long-term change in the way we represent your voice to local and state leadership. 

The first is Sunday in Dayton, second in Springfield on Monday. The economic hardship in this area is among the worst in the state and nation. 

Household income in Clark and Montgomery counties plunged more than 20 percent since 2000 -- that's more than $10,000 out of middle class household budgets every year. Employment peaked 20 years ago for Clark -- 30 for Montgomery.

What's important to making life better for you, your friends and family and your community. How can we achieve that?

Come tell us. Schedule is below.

Your Voice Ohio Community meetings

Two-hour conversations on how to fix Ohio’s ailing communities will occur across the state, with the first round beginning Sept. 23.

To register, go to the Your Voice Ohio web site.

Dayton: Sunday, Sept. 23, 2-4 p.m. , Dayton Public Libraries, Main Branch, Community Room A/B, 1-4:30, 215 E. Third St., Dayton, 45402.

Springfield: Monday Sept. 24, 6-8 p.m., Clark State Community College, Leffel Lane Campus, LRC 207/209, 570 E. Leffel Lane, Springfield, 45505.

Columbus: Tuesday, Sept. 25, 6-8 p.m. , Boathouse Restaurant, Olentangy Room, 679 W. Spring Street, Columbus, 43215.

Lima: Thursday Sept. 27, 6-8 p.m. , Northwestern Ohio University, Crystal Room., 1450 N. Cable Road, Lima, 45805.

Warren: Sunday Sept. 30, 1-3 p.m. , Warren G. Harding High School, 860 Elm Road NE, Warren, 44483.

Akron: Monday Oct. 1, 6-8 p.m., Guy’s Party Center central ballroom, 500 E. Waterloo Road, Akron, 44319.

Stow: Tuesday, Oct. 2., 6-8 p.m., Heritage Barn, 5238 Young Road, Stow, 44224.

Cleveland: Wednesday, Oct. 3, 6-8 p.m., Lab Studios by GLO, 2460 Lakeside Ave., Cleveland, 44114.

Euclid: Thursday, Oct. 4., 6-8 p.m., Recher Hall, Slovenian Society Home, 20713 Recher Ave, Cleveland.

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