Fayette County Economic Development

08/31/2026

Strategic Plan Spotlight: Increase Administrative Capacity

Strong communities start with strong leadership and effective operations. As part of Fayette County's Strategic Plan, efforts are underway to strengthen the county's ability to serve residents today while preparing for tomorrow.

🔹 Strengthening County Operations 🔹
To expand in-house capabilities, Fayette County hired a County Maintenance Director, Chris Lytle. This role focuses on developing a long-term facility improvement plan that better aligns current and future county needs while overseeing important continuous improvement projects.

🔹 Improving Coordination & Planning 🔹
The county also welcomed a County Administrator to enhance communication between departments and jurisdictions, support strategic planning efforts, and provide additional day-to-day operational support to the Board of Commissioners.

🔹 Looking Ahead 🔹
By investing in these leadership positions, Fayette County is building a stronger foundation for efficient operations, better collaboration, and continued progress for the community.

Learn more about the Fayette County Strategic Plan:

County Community Planning Page

08/28/2026

08/28/2026

08/26/2026

Strategic Plan Spotlight: Improve Emergency Services Capacity

Reliable emergency services are essential to keeping Fayette County safe. Local first responders continue working together to ensure the community receives the care and support it needs.

🔹 Meeting Community Needs 🔹
Because our emergency responders coordinate so closely, they are able to continuously monitor community needs. The EMS Department provides quarterly reports to the County Commissioners to share response times, gather input, and identify trends. They also work closely with partners like the Public Health Department, Su***de Prevention Coalition, Healthcare Alliance, and other community agencies to ensure services are meeting evolving needs.

🔹 Working Together 🔹
Strong partnerships between first‑responding agencies support ongoing communication, information sharing, and coordinated emergency response across Fayette County. The Fayette County EMS District serves 14 jurisdictions with two Advanced Life Support ambulances, 24/7, each staffed with at least 2 paid EMS personnel. The EMS District also maintains 2 backup ambulances that can be utilized by off-duty full and part-time staff to help respond to emergencies during times of increased demand. Jeffersonville Fire & EMS also provides emergency medical response, ensuring seamless coverage across the county.

🔹 Looking Ahead 🔹
The Ambulance District meets monthly, EMA convenes first responders and elected officials several times a year, and local chiefs meet every two months. These groups work together on equipment replacement schedules, monitor population and demographic changes, plan for future staffing needs, and track grant opportunities that may help fund improvements. Fayette County’s leadership teams are working intentionally to prepare for the future.

Thank you to Rodney List, Director of Fayette County EMS, for sharing how our emergency services teams are collaborating to serve Fayette County.

08/24/2026

Strategic Plan Spotlight: Expand Dining, Shopping & Entertainment Opportunities

Creating vibrant places to live, work, and visit means investing in destinations where people can gather, dine, shop, and enjoy entertainment. Washington Court House is taking proactive steps to encourage development that enhances quality of life while supporting local economic growth.

🔹 Supporting New Development 🔹
The City continues to work closely with local businesses and prospective developers, providing guidance throughout the development process and exploring opportunities to support new investment. While zoning approvals and incentives are considered on a case-by-case basis, the goal is to make Washington Court House an attractive place for businesses to grow.

🔹 Building a More Vibrant Community 🔹
Plans are underway to establish an Entertainment District, which would increase the availability of D5 liquor licenses and help attract new restaurants and hospitality businesses. The City has also adopted legislation to address long-term vacant commercial properties, encouraging reinvestment and bringing more activity back to commercial areas.

🔹 Recent Progress 🔹
The City of Washington Court House and Fayette County recently secured $500,000 through the State of Ohio's Capital Budget to support the development of a new community amphitheater. The project will also include a skate park, landscaping, and additional parking, creating a new destination for recreation, entertainment, and community events.

Thank you to Chelsie Baker, Director of Economic Development, for sharing how these initiatives are helping create a more vibrant future for Washington Court House and Fayette County.

Learn more about the Fayette County Strategic Plan: https://www.fayette-co-oh.com/499/Fayette-County-Community-Planning-Page

Travel and tourism link: https://www.visitfayco.com/

Welcome to the crossroads of Southwest Ohio. Fayette County is conveniently located between Cincinnati, Columbus and Dayton. With an abundance of shopping, local dining favorites, must-see events, outdoor fun and more, there is something for everyone!

08/20/2026

08/19/2026

Strategic Plan Spotlight: Improve Electric Capacity

Reliable electric infrastructure is essential to supporting residents, businesses, and future economic growth. While Fayette County does not operate its own electric utility, county leaders continue working closely with AES Ohio to support improvements that strengthen the local power system.

🔹 Strengthening the Grid 🔹
AES Ohio has recently completed three new substations serving Fayette County, helping provide electricity from multiple directions and improving system reliability. In addition, plans for two new 345 kV transmission lines will further strengthen the county's electric infrastructure by connecting Fayette County to larger regional power sources.

🔹 Supporting Future Growth 🔹
As new businesses and development opportunities emerge, Fayette County continues to work with AES Ohio on right-of-way acquisition and infrastructure planning to ensure the electric distribution system can meet future demand. While expanding the system presents challenges, including securing right-of-way and coordinating ongoing construction, these investments are critical to supporting long-term growth.

🔹 Looking Ahead 🔹
Fayette County is also exploring opportunities related to additional power generation facilities that could provide an even more stable and reliable energy supply. Fayette County is part of the larger 13-state PJM electric grid, improvements made locally not only benefit residents and businesses here, but also strengthen the regional electric network that serves millions of people.

Thank you to Jamie Gentry for sharing how partnerships and infrastructure investments are helping build a stronger, more resilient electric system for Fayette County.

Learn more about the Fayette County Strategic Plan: https://www.fayette-co-oh.com/DocumentCenter/View/1335/FC_Executive_Summary_251120-PDF

08/17/2026

Strategic Plan Spotlight: Plan for Future Water & Wastewater Needs

Planning for future growth starts with strong infrastructure. Fayette County is taking important steps to ensure water and wastewater services can support both current residents and future development.

🔹 Planning for Growth 🔹
The county is developing a comprehensive water and wastewater study to better understand future service needs and identify how water infrastructure will support upcoming industrial and community development. This six-month effort will build upon the county's existing utility maps and help guide long-term planning.

🔹 Looking Ahead 🔹
As Fayette County continues to grow, expanding and improving water and wastewater infrastructure will help support new businesses, strengthen economic development, and prepare the community for future opportunities.

Thank you to Jason Little, Fayette County Engineer, for sharing how Fayette County is planning for future water and wastewater needs to support long-term growth and development.

Learn more about the Fayette County Strategic Plan: https://www.fayette-co-oh.com/DocumentCenter/View/1335/FC_Executive_Summary_251120-PDF

08/12/2026

Strategic Plan Spotlight: Conduct a Housing Inventory & Market Study

Planning for the future means understanding the community's housing needs today. Fayette County and the City of Washington Court House are using data and strategic planning to help guide future residential growth and investment.

🔹 Using Data to Guide Growth 🔹
The City continues to use the findings from its 2023 Housing Study to support residential development and infrastructure planning. A countywide housing map has also been created to identify existing and planned housing developments while helping leaders evaluate the types of housing most needed, including workforce, senior, and affordable housing.

🔹 Planning for the Future 🔹
As new development opportunities emerge, the City will continue working with developers to encourage projects that align with community needs and long-term land use goals. City Council is also exploring incentives and development tools that can help support quality residential investment.

🔹 Supporting Long-Term Development 🔹
Alongside housing planning, the City is pursuing funding for a new water treatment plant to increase capacity and prepare for future residential and commercial growth. By combining housing data with infrastructure planning, Fayette County is taking a proactive approach to supporting a growing community.

Thank you to Chelsie Baker, Director of Economic Development, for sharing how housing and infrastructure planning are helping prepare Fayette County for the future.

Learn more about the Fayette County Strategic Plan: https://www.fayette-co-oh.com/DocumentCenter/View/1335/FC_Executive_Summary_251120-PDF