The City of Cincinnati's Department of Community & Economic Development

Neighborhood Division

Division Manager
Bob Bertsch

Serving the needs of residents and businesses through job creation, implementation of public infrastructure projects, urban redevelopment initiatives and revitalization of Cincinnati’s neighborhoods.

Economic Development Division

Division Manager
Lindsey Florea

Maximize the City’s impact on high-profile development opportunities. This team primarily works in the Downtown & Over-the-Rhine neighborhoods.

Housing Division

Division Manager
Roy Hackworth

Enabling proactive, targeted, & transformative development to provide quality housing options for all Cincinnati residents & position the City as a thriving urban center with diverse housing options & supportive housing services.

Director
Markiea Carter

In the spring of 2021, Markiea L. Carter was appointed as Director of the Department of Community and Economic Development. As Director, Ms. Carter is responsible for managing, directing, and organizing the department which oversees economic development, neighborhood preservation, redevelopment initiatives, federal HUD grants, and parking. A graduate of Miami University, Ms. Carter began her career in public service over 13 years ago with the City of Cincinnati, starting her career with the City in Community and Economic Development. She most recently served as Director of Economic Inclusion for the City of Cincinnati where she administered the Equal Employment Opportunity Program, Living Wage, MBE/WBE/SBE certification programs and Local, State and Federal prevailing wage.

Deputy Director
Dan Bower

Administrative Specialist
Mary Poole

Incentives Monitoring
Michael Banish

Administrative Specialist, Communications
Shannon Brower

How Can We Help?

Local Knowledge of our Local Economy

Learn more about the Cincinnati market from our team of development officers and analysts.

An Advocate in City Hall

We routinely assist business owners and developers in their interactions with city departments, as well as its boards and commissions, to facilitate growth and overcome potential hurdles to development.

Connections to Community Resources

Whether you need to find a pool of qualified job candidates, a new supplier, or assistance finding the correct state or federal program to help you grow, we can help connect you with the right resources.

Project Financing

We routinely work with business owners and developers to help finance quality projects. We partner with business owners and developers to secure loans, grants, incentives, or other financing tools to make your project become a reality.

Any Questions?

How do I find a site that works for my business?

Find a site that’s right for you with our Site Selector map.

Can you help me finance my project?

See our incentive & financing resources here.

Are tax abatements available for residential properties?

Residential Tax Abatements are available for Cincinnati residents. Learn more on our Resources page.

Who should I talk to about my project?

Our department has several teams who are available to discuss project details with you.

For projects in the urban core (Downtown, Over-the-Rhine, Pendleton):
Lindsey Florea, Division Manager
lindsey.florea@cincinnati-oh.gov

For projects in neighborhoods outside of the urban core:
Bob Bertsch, Economic Development Division Manager
robert.bertsch@cincinnati-oh.gov

For housing projects:
Roy Hackworth, Housing & Community Development Manager
roy.hackworth@cincinnati-oh.gov

When does my neighborhood's community council meet?

If you’re looking to engage with your community council, you can find out more information on the Community Council Dashboard.

What do I need to open a business in Cincinnati?

The OpenCincy tool identifies and estimates the permits, licenses, and fees needed to open or expand your business in the City of Cincinnati.