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.
Areas of Expertise:
- Community Planning
- Leadership Development
- Local Government Leadership
- Strategic Planning
Programs:
- Business Retention & Expansion (BR&E)
- Downtown Business District Market Analysis
- Economic Impact Analysis
- Energize Ohio
- Communicating with Citizens
- Conducting Effective Meetings
- Local Government Leadership
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.
Fact Sheets and bulletins
Business Retention and Expansion Bulletin 3rd Edition Updated 2021
Joint Economic Development Districts (CDFS-1560) Revised 6/30/2021
Business Retention and Expansion Program (CDFS-1562) Revised 9/11/2020
Township Zoning Enforcement Officer: Role, Responsibilities, and Tools to Succeed (CDFS-1281)
Shale Energy Development Economic Impact Analysis Series
1. Ohio Energy Trends: Comparing Old And New Energy Development (CDFS-SED-1)
2. Characteristics Of A Boomtown (CDFS-SED-2)
3. Contributing Factors To A Boomtown Bust (CDFS-SED-3)
4. Developing A Model To Measure Economic Change In An Energy Economy (CDFS-SED-4)
5. Local Economic Development Strategies For Energy Boomtowns (CDFS-SED-5)
6. Community Planning Strategies For Energy Boomtowns (CDFS-SED-6)