Cincinnati cited as a model for inclusive economic growth
Brookings Institution highlights cities rewiring systems to rebuild local economies
Cincinnati was one of five American cities the Brookings Institution cited as examples as to how communities can “rewire” economic systems and generate inclusive growth.
In a study, “Institutionalizing inclusive growth: Rewiring systems to rebuild local economies,” Brookings profiled efforts in Cincinnati; Akron, Ohio; Birmingham, Alabama; St. Paul, Minnesota; and Syracuse, New York; to build inclusive local economies.
Among the efforts highlighted was the University of Cincinnati’s approach to catalyze innovation, upskill workers and grow good jobs.
Left to right, University of Cincinnati Chief Innovation Officer David J. Adams, Gov. Mike DeWine, Lightship Foundation Executive Director Candice Matthews Brackeen and Lt. Gov. Jon Husted were featured speakers in October 2021 as leaders of the Cincinnati Innovation District and JobsOhio announced the expansion of the CID. Photo/Gregory Glevicky, Cincinnati Innovation District
University of Cincinnati President Neville Pinto created a new innovation agenda as one of the university’s core pillars after he became the UC president. He hired David J. Adams to be UC’s chief innovation officer to oversee existing university functions such as technology transfer and research partnerships with industry and to launch new priorities like the Venture Lab and the 1819 Innovation Hub.
“Universities are in a unique position to bring together multiple constituents — not just students and faculty, but also alumni, the community, and leaders across industries — to solve challenges and seize opportunities in new and unexpected ways,” Pinto said. “Having a dedicated innovation hub enables us to do that; it’s a space where these collisions can occur.”
The success of the Cincinnati Innovation District has made it a model for Ohio, with the state replicating the efforts in other cities such as Cleveland and Columbus.
“Driven from the bottom up by local initiatives and propelled by public-private partnerships between jurisdictions and local universities, medical centers, industries, economic development organizations, neighborhoods, and more, strategies need to focus on the creation of clusters of talent and innovation districts that can drive sustainable growth,” Adams said.
Featured image at top: The Cincinnati skyline lit during the Blink event shown from the Covington, KY. Photo/Joseph Fuqua II
Related Stories
Recent advances may speed time to endometriosis diagnosis
March 16, 2026
The average time to clinical diagnosis of endometriosis is nine years. Definitive diagnosis of the disease is difficult, and until recently, has relied on laparoscopic surgery. Now, as Medscape recently reported, novel clinical recommendations, advanced diagnostic tools and research into inflammation and immune responses, are bringing promise that women with endometriosis will find relief sooner and without surgery, according to experts, including Katie Burns, PhD, University of Cincinnati College of Medicine associate professor.
Position-specific helmets may not improve protection
March 16, 2026
Local 12 highlighted a new study by biomedical engineering researchers that looked at how well new football helmets protected players from impacts that can cause concussions.
UC biologist talks about 'pearmageddon'
March 16, 2026
WLWT talks to UC biologist and Department Head Theresa Culley about invasive, nonnative Callery pear trees that are spreading across Ohio forests after they were introduced by landscapers more than 50 years ago.