COLUMBUS, Ohio — Leaders from across southern and southeast Ohio unveiled a new regional tourism brand last week at Ohio Tourism Day at the Statehouse, uniting 18 counties under the name Ohio’s Rolling Hills.
The brand, launched May 12, was developed through an initiative led by the Outdoor Recreation Council of Appalachia and funded through an Appalachian Regional Commission POWER grant. It is designed to promote tourism and economic development across Appalachian Ohio without replacing existing local tourism identities.
The region covered by the brand includes Ohio’s only national forest, more than a dozen state parks, historic river towns, and communities stretching across the Buckeye Hills Regional Council and Ohio Valley Regional Development Commission footprints. Partner counties include Adams, Athens, Brown, Clermont, Gallia, Highland, Jackson, Lawrence, Meigs, Monroe, Morgan, Noble, Perry, Pike, Ross, Scioto, Vinton, and Washington.
“Regional branding is one of the most powerful tools available to rural economies, and this initiative creates a unified way to tell the story of Appalachian Ohio while supporting local economies, small businesses, and community-driven tourism efforts,” said Jessie Powers, executive director of ORCA.
The brand was developed with input from elected officials, convention and visitors bureaus, nonprofit organizations, and economic development professionals across all 18 counties. Blue Ion, a Charleston, South Carolina-based brand strategy firm, guided the creative process.
Ohio’s Rolling Hills is built around three themes: outdoor recreation and conservation, history and preservation, and arts and culture. More information is available at ohiorollinghills.com.