Phase I of the RPI began as the Regional Economic Revenue Study (RERS), which was commissioned by the Northeast Ohio Mayors and City Managers Association (NEOM&CMA) in the spring of 2006. The RERS examined existing revenue sharing programs in other regions of the nation to identify best practices, closely examine the structure of local government, identify local revenues in Northeast Ohio and determine the applicability of examples from other regions to the situation in Northeast Ohio.

The study consisted of a six-step development process that included:

Stakeholder Input – Assemble a 16-county advisory committee for input and feedback

Data Gathering – Gather data and review examples of revenue sharing models in different regions of the country

Analysis – Examine regional revenue sharing models across the nation and establish and “issues log” of key obstacles or items that must be addressed to implement a program

Development of Alternatives - Develop economic models for a system here in Northeast Ohio and model the effects had the program been in place during the previous 10 years

Study Production – Produce a final report on analysis, findings, modeling and recommendations to proceed to implementation (click here to read the final report)

Present the Study - Phase I results and recommendations were presented to the advisory committee on April 9.

Once each development step was accomplished, the advisory committee members present voted unanimously on April 9, 2008 to move forward into Phase II. On May 15, 2008, the NEOM&CMA overwhelming voted to move into Phase II at its monthly meeting. Since May 15, the initiative has also received support from the Northeast Ohio City Council Association (NOCCA), Youngstown/Warren Regional Chamber and various planning organizations.