Potential Development Crisis Averted

Ohio General Assembly passes legislation to save development projects in Cincinnati.

Thanks to the quick work of Sen. Bill Blessing (R-Colerain) and Rep. Bill Seitz (R-Green Township), a financing crisis was averted,
preserving $1 billion in new developments in the city of Cincinnati.

As reported by the Tom Demeropolis in the Cincinnati Business Courier, Doug Moormann explained the bill now heading for the Governor’s office will allow more than one Tax Increment Financing (TIF) to be in place for projects already in the pipeline and approved by the City of  Cincinnati. 

TIFs are important financing tools local governments use to
attract developments. A traditional district TIF keep a portion of the taxes paid by a project in the same geographic area for use by the community. A project TIF uses a portion of taxes paid by a project to help pay for the public infrastructure on a specific real estate parcel.

When Moormann realized several projects he was working on in the city would not be able to utilize traditional and project TIFs together due to a ruling by the Ohio Tax Commissioner, he alerted local legislators and began crafting a remedy with legislation. Moormann credits Blessing and Seitz, with recognizing the scale of the problem and the need to quickly find a resolution.

Governor DeWine is expected to sign the bill into law soon.

“This is an example of GSG and DSG at its finest, working at the intersection of business and government to effectively solve a problem.  It’s what we do and we do it very well, “ said Chip Gerhardt, President and Founder. 

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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