David Civittolo

David Civittolo
Interim Associate Dean and Director / Assistant Director, Community Development
Office: 
Agricultural Administration Building, Suite 3, 2120 Fyffe Road, Columbus, OH 43210
Phone: 
330-263-3627
Degree Information: 
MPA in Public Administration, Bowling Green State University
BS, Bowling Green State University
Specialization: 
Economic Development
Biography: 

As assistant director, CD, Civittolo has taken on a number of leadership activities that have raised the profile of this Extension program area in Ohio and across the United States. For example:
 

  • He participated in an external program review and led the faculty and staff that comprise the community development program area to identify and incorporate action strategies based on the review.
  • During the pandemic, he worked with Extension leadership to approve exemptions for educators to conduct in-person programming safely.
  • Co-led a collaborative effort to create a Department of Agricultural Communication, Education, and Leadership (ACEL) and Extension strategic alignment to further promote collaborative efforts.
  • Created an IMPLAN team to give leadership to input-output economic analysis programming and to specifically work with various entities to understand the economic impacts of the pandemic. Technical reports were also created for each Extension area, the university, and private developers.
  • Led the effort to update the Business Retention and Expansion (BR&E) program curriculum and invited community development educators to join the current team.
  • Co-led the first ever in-service between Central State University community development professionals and OSU Extension CD. The in-service led to several collaborative projects.
  • Through a collaboration with BroadbandOhio (a unit within the State of Ohio’s Department of Development), and led the CD program in creating a first ever 12-week course to educate county leaders on developing a local broadband strategic plan. The initial cohort involved 11 counties, and several have been successful in receiving grant dollars.
  • Co-led an effort to create a new leadership academy with more, in-depth focus on key leadership topics for Ohio township officials. As part of this program, 18 participants graduated in July 2023. This new program builds on the current leadership academy that he helped create and develop in the early 2000s. Hundreds of township officials have graduated from this program.
  • Assisted Extension CD program area faculty in obtaining over $2 million in funding.
  • Worked with faculty to finalize curriculum that focuses on entrepreneurialism for communities. 

Prior to this appointment, Civittolo served as an Associate Professor and Field Specialist focusing on Community Economics responsible for conducting economic development programs throughout Ohio. His primary research interests include strategic planning for economic development organizations and conducting business retention and expansion surveys for Ohio communities. His research also addresses economic development tools that can be utilized by cities, villages, and townships that can strengthen the financial impact of economic development projects.

Civittolo has been with Ohio State University Extension since 2000 and has served as a county educator and county director prior to his current position. Before his work with Extension, Civittolo was employed as a village manager for numerous communities in Ohio. In December of 2013, David was named the recipient of the Raymond A. Schindler Excellence in Community Development Extension Award.

Additional Information: 

Areas of Expertise:

  • Community Planning
  • Leadership Development
  • Local Government Leadership
  • Strategic Planning

Programs:

curriculum vitae

Curriculum Vitae - David Civittolo

REPORTS

Economic Development
Holmes County Wage and Benefit Analysis - February 2021

Darke County Needs Assessment - October 2019

Holmes County Wage and Benefit Analysis - July 2017

Lancaster City Retail Market Analysis - October 2016

Shelby County Retail Market Analysis - March 2015

Shelby County Retail Market Analysis - March 2015

Medina Retail Market Analysis - March 2014

Strategic Planning
Ohio Township Association Strategic Priorities 2022-2025

One Wooster Project - October 2018

OSU Mansfield Project - October 2016

Coshocton County Strategic Plan for the Oil & Gas Industry


Business Retention & Expansion (BR&E)
Ohio Agritourism Report (Technical Report) - December 2021

Lake County Agri-business Final Report - August 2016

Holmes County BR&E Final Report - April 2016

Weinland Park BR&E Final Report - April 2014

Economic Development
Holmes County Wage and Benefit Analysis - February 2021

Darke County Needs Assessment - October 2019

Holmes County Wage and Benefit Analysis - July 2017

Lancaster City Retail Market Analysis - October 2016

Shelby County Retail Market Analysis - March 2015

Shelby County Retail Market Analysis - March 2015

Medina Retail Market Analysis - March 2014


Strategic Planning
Ohio Township Association Strategic Priorities 2022-2025

One Wooster Project - October 2018

OSU Mansfield Project - October 2016

Coshocton County Strategic Plan for the Oil & Gas Industry


Business Retention & Expansion (BR&E)
Ohio Agritourism Report (Technical Report) - December 2021

Lake County Agri-business Final Report - August 2016

Holmes County BR&E Final Report - April 2016

Weinland Park BR&E Final Report - April 2014

PUblications 

Romich, E., Bowen-Ellzey, N., Moss, M., Bond, C., Civittolo, D. (2015). Building Sustainability in Gas- and Oil-Producing Communities. Journal of Extension, Volume 53, Number 3, Article #3IAW1.