Cincinnati’s Momentum: Key Takeaways from the 2025 Community Leadership Visit
More than 80 Springfield business, civic, and education leaders traveled to Cincinnati in September for the Chamber’s 31st annual Community Leadership Visit (CLV). Each year, the CLV provides an opportunity for local leaders to learn from a peer community, deepen relationships, and return home with new ideas to help Springfield thrive. Cincinnati was selected for this year’s visit because of its nationally recognized redevelopment efforts and strong record of public-private partnership.
A City Reinventing its Urban Core
Over two and a half days, delegates heard from leaders who have helped transform Cincinnati’s downtown and surrounding neighborhoods. Their approach pairs long-term planning with the courage to take decisive, sometimes difficult, steps like reimagining public spaces, modernizing zoning, and strategically investing in redevelopment that strengthens the broader region.
A major focus of the visit was Cincinnati’s convention and event center district. Rather than treating the convention center as a single asset, local partners have approached redevelopment to create a convention center district by aligning roles and investing together to create a destination that supports hotels, restaurants, entertainment, and economic vitality. Springfield’s delegation noted clear parallels to the work underway locally to envision a convention and event center that can anchor future growth.
Public Spaces with Purpose
CLV attendees also noted how intentionally Cincinnati activates its civic spaces. Plazas, parks, and trails are programmed year-round with a mix of large signature events and small, frequent activities that promote safety, vibrancy, and community pride. Attendees recognized an opportunity for how Springfield could similarly reduce permitting barriers, identify ownership structures, and launch a “programmable spaces” strategy, particularly along a daylighted Jordan Creek, the Route 66 Centennial corridor, and key downtown locations.
Housing, Land Use, and Neighborhood Revitalization
Cincinnati’s coordinated housing efforts also offered strong lessons. Leaders shared how zoning updates, redevelopment tools, and long-term neighborhood investments have supported both market-rate and affordable housing. With Springfield’s ongoing zoning
remapping, attendees highlighted a timely chance in our community to align policy updates with broader goals around housing diversity, infill development, and workforce needs.
The Power of Partnership
Throughout the visit, one message was consistent: progress requires alignment. Cincinnati’s success has come from clearly defined roles among the city, county, chamber, and economic development organizations, as well as a willingness to lean into shared priorities rather than work in silos. CLV attendees emphasized that similar clarity and coordination will be essential as the region tackles its own opportunities and challenges.
Bringing Ideas Home
As always, the most important part of CLV happened after the trip. Attendees participated in a debrief session to identify the most relevant themes for Springfield and the region, including public space activation, regional alignment, zoning and housing strategies, and the importance of long-term vision. These ideas will help inform the Chamber’s work and shape future conversations in our community.
For more than three decades, CLV has helped spark new initiatives, strengthen partnerships, and inspire leaders to think differently about what’s possible. This year’s visit reaffirmed that Springfield’s path forward will be shaped by collaboration, shared ambition, and a willingness to learn from, and build upon, the success of others.
Watch the Chamber’s website for a link to the full 2025 CLV report, coming soon.
