Clermont County transformed dramatically over the past decade, and the momentum isn’t slowing down.
New jobs, new neighborhoods, expanded parks, and stronger community connections have reshaped daily life for residents. While longtime locals may feel the pace of change most sharply, county leaders say progress is no accident. It’s the result of a long-term, community-driven vision known as Agenda for the Future (AFTF).
Now, with a new update underway, Clermont County looks ahead to 2035 and invites residents to help shape what comes next. Connect Clermont is proud to provide this exclusive report on what residents can expect.
In 2014, civic leaders, local agencies, nonprofits, and residents came together to ask one worthwhile question: What kind of place do we want Clermont County to be?
That conversation led to the creation of AFTF, a shared vision focused on seven key community themes:
Through surveys, public meetings, and collaboration, AFTF set 23 goals for 2025. The county achieved many of those goals, while others are well underway.
Image Credit: Cincinnati.comThe results speak for themselves.
The population of Clermont County grew by 11,400 people in the last ten years, a healthy 5.8% growth rate. It also issued nearly 8,000 residential building permits and added 2,500 new jobs, according to an AFTF housing study. For residents, county growth means new financial opportunities and an incentive to move permanently to the area.
From the outside, growth has made Clermont an increasingly attractive place to live and invest.
AFTF 2035 hopes to replicate the latest gains in the next ten years by following key guideposts that succeeded in the past:
The most recent AFTF update aims to engage residents and business owners over the first and second quarters of 2026 to share progress, identify gaps and challenges that persist in the community, and plan for the next decade of growth centered on shared values. This plan consists of practical, measurable strategies that serve as a valuable resource for community leaders as they guide decision-making for years to come.
The AFTF Steering Committee brings together some high-profile names from across the county, including:
Together, they represent networks of students, workers, families, and businesses. These voices are inseparable from the 2035 plan and Clermont’s broader future.
At the heart of AFTF 2035 are ongoing one-on-one interviews with community and organization leaders to learn more about current milestones and ideas for the next decade.
Key leader forums and public sessions are planned for the first-quarter of 2026.
Image Credit: Secure Families InitiativeInfrastructure investments over the past decade fueled job growth across Clermont County.
Major employers such as Nestlé Purina, Cincinnati Children’s Hospital, and the FCC Soccer Development Academy have expanded locally. Meanwhile, the redevelopment of the former Ford plant has created space for companies like Huhtamaki, Engineered Mobile Solutions, and OIA Global, generating nearly 2,500 jobs.
Growth isn’t limited to urban areas. Rural communities are thriving too, with agricultural apprenticeships and programs like the Sustainable Agriculture Internship, which gives high school students hands-on farming experience.
Workforce initiatives such as Speed Mentoring Events and the Workforce Readiness Initiative have connected more than 13,000 participants with career pathways, supported by over 1,260 employers and volunteers.
AFTF 2035 supports the development of new businesses and helps current businesses stay operational in Clermont County.
Growth in gas, electric, and broadband infrastructure is in demand to accommodate the arrival of more complex industries in the county. Additionally, protecting small businesses as new competitors enter the market is a priority for the 2035 committee. Creating an environment that supports work-readiness and training programs, redevelopment in the Eastgate area, and local agricultural enterprises aims to promote long-lasting business.
As western Clermont County continues to grow, transportation remains a top priority.
Growing suburban communities primarily call for improved transportation access and walkable infrastructure. Roadways and bus routes played a major role in daily commuting, with I-275 bearing the brunt of traffic near Union and Miami Townships, Milford, and Loveland.
Additional investments include $3.6 million in improvements at the US 50/SR 132 intersection, with more upgrades planned.
Important east/west connections, including SR 32 and SR 125, provide critical access to Batavia, Williamsburg, Amelia, and Bethel, while SR 52 along the Ohio River provides access to New Richmond and Moscow and into Brown County. Topography and development patterns limit north/south access. The 2035 agenda calls for improvements to SR 132 to improve north/south access in the central part of the County.
Public transit remains a challenge for seniors, young people, and residents without a car. Clermont Transportation Connection (CTC) provides Dial-a-Ride service to anyone in the County through scheduled service Monday through Friday, and non-emergency medical trips (NET) are also available as scheduled rides to Medicaid residents. The AFTF hopes to further expand these resources to ensure free mobility across the county.
Since voters approved a park levy in 2016, Clermont County has added over 500 acres of parks and protected land.
Projects like Ten Mile Preserve, Kathryn Stagge Marr Park, Clingman Park, and Grailville Preserve have expanded access to nature, while nearly $1 million in community grants funded close to 80 local projects.
The new mural in New RichmondThe Williamsburg to Batavia trail is a staple of the area. AFTF 2035 plans to extend this walkable connection from East Fork State Park to Batavia. The Plan also identifies rivers, creeks, and lakes as important assets in the county and identifies ways to better connect and access these resources.
AFTF also plans to establish a county-wide greenspace plan and appropriate preservation policies, including an updated inventory of assets and resources. The goal is to boost tourism in the area and provide new biking and camping facilities for locals.
Collaboration with conservationists will be essential to expanding parks and green spaces, creating a beautiful balance between urban and rural Clermont.
Become a part of Clermont's history by participating in the one-minute survey.
It’s no surprise that Clermont County is one of the fastest-growing regions of Ohio and the tristate area. The community’s progress in construction and efficiency reflects years of labor and financial backing by residents and businesses. Civil leaders and alumni of the LEAD Clermont program guided the development of the 2014 AFTF plan and continue to support future initiatives.
Other efforts, such as the Good Work Program and the Civic Leadership Program, are helping young people develop leadership skills and deepen their community involvement. Events like the Content Creators Conference have attracted hundreds of students eager to tell Clermont’s story.
AFTF plans to connect high school students with industry professionals in a Content Creator’s Academy. The program teaches the foundations of good news reporting and publications, building community trust and engagement.
Other plans to improve the social capital of Clermont County include:
The Committee expects this plan to transform over the next few years, reaching out to local artists, connectors, and project management teams for guidance.
Education remains a cornerstone of Clermont County.
Enrollment at UC Clermont has grown by 40% since 2014, with thousands of graduates entering fields like healthcare, legal studies, and information systems. Local libraries continue to play an influential role in education, offering early learning programs and family resources across the county.
Content Creator's ConferenceThere are nine school districts in Clermont County, serving approximately 28,715 students across 47 school buildings. As the county's population grows, many of these districts struggle to provide adequate accommodations for so many students. Certain non-educational services, like mental health care and harm prevention, fall just below expectations.
In recent years, school districts failed to pass levies, forcing districts to expand class sizes, eliminate positions, and reduce transportation and extracurricular activities. The AFTF commits itself to addressing this issue and providing additional resources for students and parents.
New and emerging industries in Clermont County also demand an educated adult workforce. The need to retrain adults working to change careers and replace skills that AI and other technologies encroach on. With support from Appalachian region funding opportunities, a UC Consortium is retraining displaced coal miners for logistics and supply jobs.
AFTF 2035 intends to optimize education opportunities for students and workers of all ages.
Clermont County has emerged as a regional leader in addressing addiction and mental health challenges.
Since 2015, drug-related overdose deaths have dropped from 105 to 21, thanks to coordinated prevention, treatment, and harm-reduction efforts led by the Clermont County Addiction and Recovery Partnership (CARP). It has executed a four-pronged strategy to focus on:
Collaboration with other communities in and around Cincinnati helps Clermont pull resources for quality drug prevention strategies.
The Children’s Hospital underwent an $85 million expansion, which opened in the summer of 2025. It also represents a significant improvement in access to medical and mental health services for children and their families.
AFTF plans to strengthen and support healthcare clinics and specialty practices across the county, making healthcare more accessible and affordable for residents.
Additional contributions will include promoting mental health and YMCA services for children.
Become a part of Clermont's history by participating in the one-minute survey.
Between 2014 and 2023, Clermont County issued nearly 8,000 building permits, with most growth occurring in Batavia, Miami, and Union Townships.
A comprehensive housing study completed in 2025 guides future planning, ensuring growth aligns with infrastructure capacity while protecting rural and agricultural land.
AFTF 2035 emphasizes thoughtful land-use planning to preserve Clermont’s rural heritage while meeting demand for modern housing and development.
Image Credit: WikiwandMost of the new housing in Clermont since 2014 has been suburban, affecting the western half of the county. These developments grew due to existing roads, water, and sewer networks. Batavia Township (4,436), Miami Township (3,078), and Union Township (3,180) account for 94% of the county's population growth over the past ten years.
AFTF 2035 hopes to expand existing historic community centers and new developments on the outskirts of Loveland, Milford, and Batavia to the more rural areas of Union, Miami, and Batavia. As the County continues to grow, AFTF states it will continue to measure the risks to rural and natural settings, without strategic land-use planning, to protect important agricultural and natural resources.
Clermont County prides itself on its rural culture and tradition, both of which will be important considerations for any new developments. Nevertheless, the demand for modern commercial and suburban development to accommodate a rapidly growing population remains a concern for many locals.
Clermont County became a notable up-and-coming region of the Midwest over the past several years. This reputation is in large part thanks to the efforts of countless residents and planners.
AFTF couldn’t have achieved its goals without the voices, labor, and financial support from the local families and entrepreneurs. Connect Clermont is proud to honor the community and to continue providing excellent resources for event planning and news.
As the sun rises over a new year, Clermont County can look forward to another decade of opportunity and community growth.
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