Projects & Programs

The Uptown Consortium employs three standing subcommittees that serve to both inform planning and execution and to provide additional opportunities for input from community members of the Cincinnati neighborhoods in Uptown. Each committee is made up of representatives from the Uptown community, executives from Consortium, and topic experts from Tristate businesses and organizations.

Community & Economic Development Subcommittee

The Community & Economic Development Subcommittee is an advisory committee to the Uptown Consortium on issues related to community and economic development including housing, business development, environmental sustainability, planning, and employment and workforce development.

The Subcommittee examines the short-term and long-term economic and community development needs of the community. The Subcommittee recommends strategies and projects that will provide sound economic development and a stronger sense of community in Uptown. It also encourages communication between the residents, businesses, and stakeholders located in Uptown regarding economic and community development issues and provides a forum for stakeholders to share information and obtain feedback on projects and activities. The Subcommittee strives to develop and expand working relationships that can provide resources to the community and to promote a true sense of partnership among stakeholders working together to improve Uptown.

Ad hoc committees will be organized to work on specific projects with defined objectives & timelines.

Safety Subcommittee

The Safety Subcommittee is charged with helping to realize the Consortium's goal of a safe, attractive, and walkable community for Uptown residents, employees, students, and visitors. Its focus is on increasing actual and perceived public safety presence; launching graffiti removal and street cleaning initiatives; and identifying and targeting negligent property owners with the City's assistance.

Transportation Subcommittee

The Consortium’s Transportation Subcommittee provides leadership and direction on transportation related issues. Uptown is one of the fastest growing corridors in the City of Cincinnati and potentially the region. With over 60,000 commuters daily, Uptown has one of the highest traffic volumes in the region, rivaling the I-75/Brent Spence Bridge corridor. Because of this growth and development, the Consortium has long been a leader in addressing the transportation needs of Uptown.

Small Business Retention Program

Uptown Consortium and Hamilton County Development Company (HCDC) partnered to create a comprehensive and proactive small business retention program aimed at encouraging the continued success of businesses already located in Uptown communities. As part of the program, the Consortium and HCDC conduct business retention meetings as well as offer Uptown businesses one-on-one coaching services and preparation in areas such as business plan development, business and strategic planning, marketing and sales and access to capital. The program involves strengthening the current understanding of small business concerns as well as providing technical assistance to promote the success of small businesses.

Litter Program

Uptown streets may seem cleaner as of late thanks to an initiative designed to remove litter from area neighborhoods. Uptown Consortium in partnership with Keep Cincinnati Beautiful and the Hamilton County Sheriff’s Office, oversees the project and sends out its Community Service Work Detail Crew three days a week to clean up roads throughout the Uptown region. The detail crew is responsible for litter pick up, emptying corner cans and cutting down weeds, among other things. The results give Uptown residents a greater sense of community pride and visitors a more positive first impression.

Green Initiatives Subcommittee

The Green Initiatives Subcommittee (GIS) is comprised of several Uptown representatives including the University of Cincinnati, the Cincinnati Zoo, Rumpke and members from the Neighborhoods of Uptown (NOU). The partnership between the Consortium’s members and the neighborhood is essential to achieving GIS goals set to meet the expectations of the growing green movement. The Green Your Home Contest and the 2011 Energy, Economics, Environment (3E) Summit are just a couple of GIS initiatives that are making a difference in Uptown.  Through education and participation in organic and energy efficient projects, the GIS will help to reform Uptown’s energy usage and improve its relationship with the environment.

Modern Makers

Modern Makers is a multi-disciplinary studio seeking community engagement through art in the Cincinnati community. Modern Makers fits within a contemporary domain intersecting a variety of approaches to design including architecture, fine art, fashion, industrial design, cuisine and culture. It is a meeting of the minds, so the speak, bridging the gap between the University of Cincinnati and the evolving cultural geography and voice of Uptown. Monthly events are held at 2606 Short Vine. Events are always free and open to the public and food, beverages and interactive activities are always provided. Be sure to check the 'Things to Do' section for information on upcoming events.

Shop Local Campaign

The Ludlow Avenue Business District with support from the Uptown Consortium and the Hamilton County Development Company (HCDC) launched in September 2011 a new marketing campaign designed to encourage residents to spend their dollars locally and invest in the community. The “Shop Local=Shop Ludlow” campaign unites business owners who are urging residents to consider purchasing goods and services provided at Ludlow shops and diners as opposed to commercial retailers and restaurants. The “Shop Local=Shop Ludlow” campaign was incepted in response to small business surveys that revealed the desire of Ludlow business owners to be more competitive with new development in the area.

New Markets Tax Credit Program

The New Markets Tax Credit (NMTC) program is a federal program administered by the U.S. Department of Treasury’s Community Development Financial Institutions Fund (CDFI).

The NMTC program permits taxpaying investors to receive a credit against their federal income tax liability for making qualified equity investments in certified Community Development Entities (CDE). Substantially all of the qualified equity investment must be used by the CDE to provide investments to projects and businesses in low-income communities. The credit provided to the investor totals 39% of the cost of the investment and is claimed over a 7-year period.