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Urbana, Ohio — The economy and ever-increasing energy costs were key topics in a discussion between local community leaders and U.S. Sen. Sherrod Brown on Monday, June 30.

The roundtable discussion at Urbana University also included discussion of issues ranging from graduation rates for first-generation students to the effects of foreclosures throughout the county.

Like much of the rest of the state, one of the challenges now is that while local governments have less to spend, the demand for services is increasing, said Champaign County Commissioner Max Coates.

"We've got to find ways to grow our tax base and widen our economy locally," Coates said.

Brown noted high foreclosure rates have been a major problem for Ohio's economy in recent years. To help alleviate that issue, he said, the Housing and Economic Recovery Act of 2008 is expected to pass through the U.S. House and Senate. That would provide about $151 million statewide to local governments to provide money to tear down vacant buildings and help people retain their homes. The money would likely come through Community Development Block Grants, which would be distributed in part on a formula based on foreclosure rates.

Making longer-term investments into renewable energy may be a key step to creating jobs in the state, Brown said. But as Brown asked about the effects of high gas prices on local businesses, he also said there does not appear to be a short-term solution to rising energy costs.

"It's hard to be optimistic long-term or short-term on energy prices," he said.

In the meantime, he said another option may be to try to provide more funding for weatherization programs to help reduce costs for some residents to make their homes more energy-efficient.

Jim Smith, a former director of the Champaign County Department of Job and Family Services, also spoke briefly about workforce development funding, asking for more flexibility for local governments.

Often, he said, government funding his office received was earmarked for specific projects, which did not always match up with what the local community actually needed, Smith said.

"The money is there," Smith said, "but the money is locked up in another area that might not be a need here."

During a discussion on education, Brown asked officials at Urbana University about making connections with local high schools and other state colleges, as well as graduation rates for first-generation students.

Stephen Jones, who assumes duty as Urbana University president today, said raising graduation rates for those students will be a priority. The university, he said, could use intensive advising and early warning systems that would track students' progress early in their careers to help achieve that goal.

"If they can taste success their first year, we can keep them," he said.