NS Principal Joins Ohio’s Electric Cooperatives Summer Conference Panel

Neighborhood Strategies Principal, Jim Lenner, recently joined the 2026 Ohio’s Electric Cooperatives Summer Conference for a conversation about balancing economic growth with the agricultural resources that make Ohio strong.

As part of the panel, Jim shared his perspective on how communities can plan for future growth while being thoughtful about the land and resources that support Ohio’s agricultural economy. That means looking ahead to protect agricultural land from unnecessary conversion while also considering opportunities for gentle density in areas where infrastructure and services already exist.

Jim also emphasized that good planning depends on meaningful, honest communication from the very beginning of a project. Creating opportunities for open dialogue, being transparent about goals and challenges, and genuinely listening to community perspectives can help build trust and lead to better outcomes.

Ohio’s 25 electric cooperatives serve more than 380,000 homes and businesses across 77 of Ohio’s 88 counties. We’re grateful to Ohio’s Electric Cooperatives for bringing together leaders and practitioners for conversations about the future of Ohio communities, and for the opportunity to be part of the discussion.