The Initiative
Community of Excellence 2026: Toledo Region
The Toledo Region already exists at the crossroads of small-town charm and economic opportunity—the Community of Excellence committee intends to build upon our existing assets to ensure a region that meets every person’s needs and offers the quality of life we all deserve.
Our Vision
“A community where everyone can thrive.”
Our Mission
“To enhance the quality of life in our community by fostering collaboration across sectors to develop and retain a diverse, inclusive, top talent workforce and a holistic workforce strategy that encompasses the collaboration of education, health and well-being, arts, and culture.”
Develop a successful, robust, right-skilled regional workforce by bolstering the region across several distinct but interconnected objectives
Advance diversity, equity, and inclusion across all of these areas, as a necessary condition for advancing our mission as a whole
Leverage the region’s artistic, cultural, and recreational amenities to improve population retention.
Strengthen the regional workforce by using data to invest in education, training, and workforce development efforts.
Bolster economic and inclusive prosperity by better coordinating workforce initiatives and understanding their impacts on access.
Improve the health and well-being of residents by acknowledging and supporting efforts to address the Social Determinants of Health.
Through ongoing struggles with outward migration, business loss, infrastructure limitations, and lack of educational attainment, the Toledo Region is on the cusp of a renaissance, with an influx of young professionals, an abundance of natural, human, economic, and recreational assets, and a drive to become a truly exceptional community.
Created by the COE Committee, for the Toledo Region
Our COE 2026 committee includes representatives from every essential facet of our region, including healthcare, education, economic development, community development, government, infrastructure, social justice, and arts and recreation. This reflects our interdisciplinary approach to lifting up the Toledo Region and our investment in all core competencies.
