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Development Strategies Update: Turning Opportunities into Results

Recent Development Opportunities in Downtown Cincinnati

As we reach the halfway point of the year, our team at Development Strategies Group has been hard at work helping clients transform economic development opportunities in Cincinnati into tangible results.

We take pride in partnering with companies, developers, and institutions to identify, evaluate, negotiate, and secure public incentives that support business expansion, redevelopment, and job creation throughout Ohio. By combining deep expertise in economic development finance with longstanding relationships across state and local government, we help clients reduce project costs, close financing gaps, and maximize available public resources.

The first six months of 2026 have already produced remarkable successes. We’ve had the privilege of working alongside local and national organizations to navigate complex incentive programs, secure meaningful public investment, and advance projects that will generate long-term economic growth and strengthen communities across the region.

Here are just a few of the projects we’ve been proud to support.

Revitalizing Cincinnati’s Skyline

Governor Mike DeWine recently announced more than $110 million in Transformational Mixed-Use Development (TMUD) Tax Credits—the largest funding round in the program’s history.

Development Strategies Group served as a project advisor to Newcrest Image, owner of the long-vacant Fourth & Walnut Centre (formerly the First National Bank Building), in assembling a comprehensive package of public incentives to support its redevelopment. In addition to securing environmental remediation funding, Ohio Historic Preservation Tax Credits, and a property tax abatement, the project was recently awarded a $14.8 million TMUD Tax Credit, providing critical financing for one of downtown Cincinnati’s most significant redevelopment efforts.

Transforming Downtown Office Space into Mixed-Use Development

Another client, Acabay Inc., was awarded a $7.5 million TMUD Tax Credit for the redevelopment of a former downtown office tower.

Working alongside our partners at Model Group and KMK Law, Development Strategies Group helped assemble a sophisticated public-private financing structure—including an innovative City of Cincinnati incentive package—to advance this $76 million mixed-use redevelopment. The project will convert an underutilized office building into a vibrant destination featuring residential, commercial, and retail uses.

Preserving an Over-the-Rhine Landmark

The State of Ohio also recently awarded $13.4 million in Ohio Historic Preservation Tax Credits for the redevelopment of the iconic Alms & Doepke Building in Over-the-Rhine.

Development Strategies Group is proud to serve as an advisor to Stough Development Corporation, a longtime leader in neighborhood revitalization. The project will transform the historic former department store into a mixed-use development featuring 149 new apartments while preserving one of Cincinnati’s most recognizable architectural landmarks.

From Vision to Reality: The Fidelity Hotel Opens

While many projects are still moving through the development pipeline, others are now opening their doors.

We were pleased to partner with Nuovo RE on the redevelopment of the historic Gwynne Building into The Fidelity Hotel, which opens its doors later this month in downtown Cincinnati. This boutique lifestyle hotel breathes new life into the beautifully restored Beaux-Arts landmark, originally constructed in 1913. The project exemplifies the power of historic preservation and adaptive reuse, creating a distinctive hospitality destination while celebrating Cincinnati’s architectural heritage.

Looking Ahead

At Development Strategies Group and Government Strategies Group, we are honored to help clients bring transformative projects to life. Whether securing incentive financing, navigating government approvals, or building partnerships across the public and private sectors, our mission remains the same: helping our clients invest with confidence while creating lasting economic impact.

We’re grateful for the opportunity to contribute to the continued revitalization of downtown Cincinnati, Hamilton County, and communities throughout Ohio. As we look ahead to the second half of the year, we remain committed to delivering innovative solutions and exceptional results for our clients.

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Anne C. Sesler

Director of Public Affairs

Anne Sesler brings more than twenty years’ experience in public affairs consulting to Government Strategies Group. Anne works with local elected officials, state legislators, reporters and community leaders on behalf of corporate and non-profit clients developing community outreach and engagement strategies, conducts media relations, builds grassroots support for projects, and conducts communication with stakeholders and legislators.

Anne lends her public policy and political communication experience beyond GSG to her role as Vice Chair of the Hamilton County Democratic Party. Over the years, she’s offered political counsel to both state and local campaigns, including Preschool Promise, Ohio Jobs and Growth (the casino ballot initiative), United for Jobs and Ohio’s Future (Third Frontier), and many others. Anne lives in Mt. Lookout with her husband, Bryan.

Focus areas: 

  • Local government relations
  • Coalition building
  • Media relations and communications
  • Crisis communications

Driven by:

  • Making Cincinnati a better place for all

In the community:

  • Leadership Cincinnati Class 47
  • Cincinnati Planning Commission member
  • Lunken Airport Oversight and Advisory Board Chair
  • Cincinnati Democratic Committee Co-Chair
  • Hamilton County Democratic Party, Vice Chair
  • Mt. Lookout Community Council member

Charles “Chip” Gerhardt

President & CEO

Chip Gerhardt has made government affairs, economic development, and issue advocacy his life’s work. He’s worked for decades in the public and private sectors, and advocated at the local, state, and federal levels of government. In 2007, he used that experience to found Government Strategies Group, a full-service government relations firm. At GSG, he works directly with clients, helping them navigate the complicated intersection of politics, public policy, and business.

In his many years in public policy, Chip has been involved in significant policies including; creation of tax increment financing districts, the Clean Ohio program, Cincinnati City Center Development Corporation, and most importantly, the passage of the Achieving a Better Life Experience (ABLE) Act. He has also been at the forefront of some of the biggest developments in Greater Cincinnati, including the Horseshoe (now Hard Rock) Casino, TQL Stadium for FC Cincinnati, parking garage structures at The Banks, and the redevelopment of the @580 building. Rarely is there a public policy endeavor in Cincinnati that does not involve GSG.

Chip received his B.B.A in Marketing from the University of Notre Dame and his Juris Doctor from the St. Louis University School of Law. He lives in Anderson Township with his wife Jane. Son Charlie is a local chef and children Hank and Anne have completed their education and started lives of their own.

Focus areas:

  • State and local government relations
  • Economic development
  • Issue advocacy

Driven by:

  • A lifelong interest in the political system has driven Chip to a career in public policy and politics. As a parent of three, one with Down syndrome, has compelled him to promote public policies designed to help others. Whether it is enabling financial independence for people with disabilities, advancing funding for housing families facing homelessness, or assisting with economic development projects, Chip involves himself in things that make a positive difference. 

In the community:

  • Hamilton County Board of Elections member
  • Current Board Member for Ensemble Theatre Cincinnati, People Working Cooperatively, Corporation for Findlay Market, goVibrant, and the African American Chamber of Commerce
  • Former Chairman of the Board for the National Down Syndrome Society
  • Former board member of the Cincinnati Zoo and Botanical Garden, the Cincinnati Museum Center, the Cincinnati Metropolitan Housing Authority, the Clermont County Chamber of Commerce, and the Down Syndrome Association of Greater Cincinnati
  • Cincinnati Magazine’s 300 of the Region’s Most Powerful Business Leaders, 2021-2022
  • Cincy Magazine Power 100, 2011-2022