The LC Forward planning process includes a review of all existing plans and relevant policies of the County and individual cities, villages, and townships. Existing plans and policies will inform the countywide plan. Research and analysis from the planning process will also yield new policy ideas that jurisdictions could incorporate into their local plans and policies.

The FRAMEWORK process was created to align 15 jurisdictions in western Licking County toward a desired future in light of incoming economic investment and change. The LC Forward planning process will encompass all jurisdictions in the County and focus on the changes the entire County is experiencing. This process includes other areas of interest that were not examined during the Framework process. The plan will also include a more detailed land-use strategy coordinated with economic development, housing, and other analyses and recommendations.

Anyone who cares about the future of Licking County is invited to participate in this process. The general public will be engaged throughout the process with both in-person and online activities. A Leadership Team of community members, including local government officials and business leaders, has been formed to help guide the plan’s direction. Additional targeted stakeholders across the business, non-profit, and public sectors will be engaged throughout the process to provide their specialized insights. Intentional efforts have been made and will continue throughout the process to involve and engage local government leaders from cities, villages, and townships.

The Leadership Team is a diverse group of 33 community members representing a broad range of geographies, interests, and perspectives who will meet regularly throughout the planning process to provide their insights. They will advise on the plan’s substance, helping staff and the consultant team to integrate the local intuition with technical analysis. They will also help spread the word about the planning effort to encourage community participation throughout the process. Once the plan is completed and adopted, they will act as stewards to help ensure its actions are implemented.

This is an open and inclusive process. There will be three periods of public engagement held during the planning process, including multiple in-person and online opportunities. The first round of public engagement will take place in early Summer 2026. All opportunities to participate will be widely promoted through the project website, alongside multiple other channels.

All insight gathered will be recorded, databased, analyzed, and documented by the planning team. When you contribute an idea, you are making an impact on the future of the County. Your ideas will serve as the foundation for the community’s vision, contribute to the plan’s goals, inspire specific actions, or set the course for implementation. As County staff and elected officials make decisions about your community, they utilize the plan to ensure their decisions align with its goals and actions.

The County will use the integrated growth strategy as a roadmap for growth, development, and conservation. It sets the County’s long-term vision for the future and guides decisions on zoning, infrastructure, and public investment. County staff and officials will use it to evaluate development proposals, coordinate with neighboring municipalities, and ensure policies reflect community priorities. The plan is not a legally binding document, but it can serve as a foundation for land development regulations, zoning ordinances, budgeting decisions, and more—all carefully coordinated with local policies and plans.

The process is anticipated to last 16 months, with the plan starting in early 2026. The process is projected to conclude in Spring 2027.

This process is funded by Licking County and other partners supporting the work. The County was also awarded a grant to help support this work from the Ohio Department of Agriculture.

There will be four phases of the planning process.

• Preparation: Project management, leadership committee formation, communications strategy, and public web platform.
• Conditions & Trends: Countywide technical analysis including land use, housing, economy, transportation, utilities, natural resources, agriculture, and fiscal health.
• Community Engagement: Leadership committee guidance, stakeholder input, and three countywide public engagement rounds.
• Plan Development: Drafting, adoption, and delivery of the integrated growth strategy with clear implementation guidance.

This plan will cover a broad range of topics and address needs for the County. Key outcomes include:

• A Countywide vision for growth, conservation, and community character
• Integrated economic development and housing strategies
• Prioritized infrastructure and transportation investments
• Fiscal frameworks addressing the cost of growth and sustainability
• Practical implementation guidance for County operations and capital planning

If you have specific questions, please contact the Licking County Planning and Development Department at (740) 670-5200 or planninganddevelopment@lickingcounty.gov.