Energize Clinton County

Since 2008, Wilmington, Ohio has faced a serious economic crisis unleashed by the departure of the county's largest employer and the loss of more than 8,500 jobs. The Energize Clinton County initiative grew out of a citizen movement to broaden participation in economic development, and regain control of their local economy.

In the midst of this crisis, Energize Clinton County led efforts to restore the community as a vibrant place by demonstrating new possibilities for local economic development and a rich community life. Realizing that their challenges are shared by communities across the county, they are working to make Clinton County a model for small towns seeking to rediscover their place in the world.

Individual projects include:

• Wilmington Green Enterprise Zone, a community campaign to develop a vision for green development in the city of Wilmington.
• Buy Local First Clinton County, a campaign started in 2009 as an innovative approach to supporting local businesses that involves a network of nearly 200 local business in Clinton County and more than 2,000 local consumers.
• The Clinton Community Fellows Program, which funded four college upperclassmen to return home during summer break to provide needed capacity to local non-profits. In its first year, the Clinton Community Fellows program provided over 2,000 hours of service to business and non-profits.
• Marketing and development support for the Clinton County Farmers’ Market, assisting in the development of local food market in Clinton County.
• "The Illustrated Lives of Clinton County", a special art exhibition opening at the South Street Gallery in downtown Wilmington to promote community development through the arts and storytelling.