I just returned from a daylong bus trip to Louisville with 58 of the most influential people in our region.

The participants included government leaders, educators and business leaders from Montgomery, Greene and Clark counties.

Our mission was to see what we could learn from Louisville about attracting new jobs and energizing our downtown.

Louisville has consolidated its city and county government, and we asked the mayor if that concept would be useful and productive for Dayton.

The people on the bus with me explored several areas of consolidation and its benefits, including public safety, schools and economic development.

Louisville has used the concept to save money, and attract new projects to its downtown, geared toward retaining the coveted 25 to 49 year old

resident.

Louisville wants to “grow” its own residents so that they stay in Louisville after they graduate from college.

Louisville is also using its arts and its amateur and professional sports teams to grow its downtown.

The mayor of Louisville believes Dayton and the cities and counties around it can use the same synergy to attract new jobs for years to come.

I hope you will tell me what you think and give me ideas about how Dayton and this region can better capitalize on its shared resources.

Dan Edwards