Hamilton County has awarded a $30,000 community development block grant to the city of Norwood to create a redevelopment plan for Montgomery Road. Norwood Together wrote the grant on behalf of the city and will manage the implementation and execution of the grant, which is part of the county’s mini planning grant program. 

Revitalizing Montgomery Road was identified as a key economic priority in the 2019 Norwood Quality of Life Plan, which was created by a grassroots group of residents with help from LISC of Greater Cincinnati. This group subsequently organized as Norwood Together, with support from Interact for Health and Community Building Institute of Xavier University, to work toward the goals of the 10-year strategic plan. With the approval of city officials, Norwood Together wrote the Montgomery Road planning grant. 

Residents and community stakeholders envisioned Montgomery Road as the heart of a thriving, walkable community. City officials agree that Montgomery Road improvement and development is vital to the city’s economic success. The mini planning grant, which is $30,000 of in-kind planning services from Hamilton County, is the first step toward this shared goal. 

“Now the real work begins,” said Mayor Victor Schneider. “This is the start of great days for Norwood.” 

With the grant support from Hamilton County, Norwood Together and the City of Norwood, along with partners including CBI and HCDC, will convene and survey key stakeholders, conduct market research and analysis; assess physical, policy and funding needs; and create a strategic plan for redevelopment of Montgomery Road. The final plan will guide future investment along the corridor from Xavier University north to the Norwood Lateral. 

Norwood Together will begin the work this summer. The grant must be used within the year.