(DOVER, Ohio) - The Tuscarawas County Economic Development Corporation (TCEDC) is inviting residents to share their input on the Grants to Grow countywide planning effort. Following a series of local committee meetings, community members can now visit the project website to help create a shared vision that will guide priorities, investments, and long-term growth across the county.
The initiative is funded by the Appalachian Regional Commission (ARC) Grants to Grow program along with funds from AEP Ohio. The planning process involves working with communities across Tuscarawas County to create Community Roadmaps that reflect local priorities and support a shared countywide vision. The final plans will act as roadmaps to guide future investment, strengthen community character, and ensure that decisions align with each community’s values, priorities, and goals.
“New Philadelphia is currently in a period of transition and growth, and we see this plan as a tool to support strategic development that ultimately uplifts the safety, health, and welfare of our citizens and businesses alike,” said New Philadelphia Code Administrator Joshua Mathias.
The project is in Phase I: Existing Conditions & Community Input, running from July 2026 through January 2027. After a countywide kickoff meeting, 11 participating communities met with their local Community Advisory Committees (CACs). During these sessions, citizens, business owners, administrators, and elected officials discussed housing, parking infrastructure, tourism, and smart growth strategies to either preserve their local charm or welcome new development.
“We are excited to give so many communities the opportunity to dream about their future, to talk about growth opportunities. Many small towns do not have the time or money to do this type of planning on their own.” said TCEDC Executive Director Marla Akridge. “We are grateful we can provide this opportunity with help from ARC and AEP.”
As part of Phase I, TCEDC will also host a community open house in the coming months to give residents an in-person opportunity to discuss the future of Tuscarawas County.
Residents are encouraged to take part in the conversation by visiting engage.kzf.com/tusc-planning. Through the project website, community members can learn more about the planning effort and what is ahead, share ideas through the idea walls, interactive maps, and upcoming surveys, and stay connected with progress updates, upcoming events, and other ways to get involved.
The Tuscarawas County Economic Development Corporation serves as an economic development agency for Tuscarawas County. The EDC provides a wide range of services and information to commercial businesses and builders and manages the Economic Development & Finance Alliance (EDFA) of Tuscarawas County, an Ohio Port Authority. Learn more at tuscedc.com.
Press Contact:
Cameron Brown
cbrown@tuscedc.com
330-691-8465