The Ohio Township Association (OTA) is a statewide organization that represents and supports Ohio’s 1,308 townships through advocacy, education, training, and leadership development. To better quantify the role townships play in the state’s economy, the OTA Service Corp. engaged Silverlode Consulting to prepare an economic contribution report, to analyze the economic activity generated by businesses located in Ohio’s townships and the broader impact townships have on the state economy. The study measured the economic, workforce, housing, income, and tax characteristics of Ohio townships and compared them to municipal areas across the state. ArcGIS Pro and Esri Business Analyst were utilized to create a custom region of Ohio townships and its associated demographic and economic data.
The report demonstrated the significant role townships play in Ohio’s economic success. OTA uses the study as a data-driven resource to educate policymakers, township officials, stakeholders, and the public about the value of township government, the economic strength of township communities, and the importance of policies that support local governance. By providing credible, objective economic analysis, the report helps OTA strengthen its advocacy efforts, communicate the contributions of townships to decision-makers, and highlight the economic and fiscal advantages that townships provide to residents and businesses across Ohio.