Center for Research & Data
The Cincinnati Chamber’s Center for Research & Data is an initiative to deliver data-driven analysis regarding vital regional indicators and outcomes. The Center helps regional leaders, community partners, and policymakers make informed decisions around priorities like talent attraction, inclusive economic growth, and community-wide goals. We provide actionable insights to support the mission and vision of the Cincinnati Chamber.
RECENTLY PUBLISHED
Data Centers: A Cincinnati Regional Perspective
Data centers as critical IT infrastructure have existed for decades. The Cincinnati region is home to multiple facilities which are more than ten years old. However, the prevalence, scale, and purpose of data centers has evolved over the years.
There are an estimated 19 data centers operating or planned in the Cincinnati metropolitan area with an estimated total capacity of 565 megawatts (MW).
The state of Ohio is one of the world’s largest data center markets – and growing. In Central Ohio, the world’s first gigawatt-capable data center is currently underway as part of a Meta campus expansion, and reportedly the largest AI data center in the world was announced in Pike County about 100 miles from Cincinnati.
Data center growth represents opportunities for the Cincinnati metro area: capital investment, infrastructure upgrades, jobs, tax revenue, and corporate partnerships. There are also proven challenges relative to utility demand, environmental factors, and land opportunity cost. “Data Centers: A Cincinnati Regional Perspective” offers a localized lens to a global wave of data center investment to inform local dialogue and decision-making.
October 2026
State of the Region 2026
The State of the Region report from the Cincinnati Regional Chamber’s Center for Research & Data offers a clear picture of where our community stands—and where we’re headed. TThe report finds that the Cincinnati region continues to add residents and jobs, with nearly 61,000 residents added since 2020 and more than 90,000 jobs added over the past decade. The region’s $162 billion economy remains the largest among metropolitan areas that include Ohio or Kentucky, while Cincinnati ranks first among its peers in export value per capita.
The report’s 2026 industry spotlight examines Transportation and Warehousing, an industry that has become an increasingly important part of the region’s economy and global connections. The industry employs more than 67,000 people in the region and has an employment concentration 28% higher than the national average.
September 2025
Cincinnati Region Climate Migration Outlook
This report examines how climate change–driven migration could reshape the region’s population, economy, and infrastructure by 2050. It builds on national research, local demographic trends, and case studies from other U.S. cities to provide a forward-looking view of what climate migration might mean for Cincinnati.
August 2025
Gen Z in the Workforce
The Cincinnati Regional Chamber’s Workforce Innovation Center has released its latest white paper, Gen Z in the Workforce in the Cincinnati Region, presented by Cincinnati State Technical and Community College. This report explores the experiences of Gen Z individuals who are Skilled Through Alternative Routes (STARs)—those building careers through pathways beyond a four-year degree. It offers data-driven insights and actionable recommendations for employers seeking to attract and retain this growing, skilled talent pool.
July 2025
Findlay Market Economic Impact Report
Findlay Market, Ohio’s oldest continuously operating public market and a beloved Cincinnati institution, generates a growing economic impact on the region. This economic impact report illustrates the market’s contributions to our region: over $370 million in economic impact from 2021–2023, 1,096 jobs supported, and a projected $483 million impact through 2026. Beyond the numbers, the Findlay Market’s services support advancing food entrepreneurship, neighborhood revitalization, and inclusive economic growth—fueling a thriving local food ecosystem and serving as a launchpad for over 500 small businesses.
May 2025
Cincinnati Green Workforce
The report maps where opportunities are growing, who’s currently in the workforce, and how leaders can ensure this transition advances equity and economic mobility across all communities.
2024 Reports
Recent Blog Posts
Planning for Climate Migration in Cincinnati
Last week, leaders from across our region gathered to explore one of the most
How Cincinnati Can Attract & Retain Gen Z Workers
New data shows an opportunity to grow our region by attracting more Gen Z and Millennial workers. With the right focus on housing, jobs, and inclusion, we can build a stronger, more dynamic future. See how Cincinnati can lead the way.
Celebrating a Cincinnati Staple: Findlay Market’s Enduring Economic Impact
Findlay Market has been fueling Cincinnati’s economy and community for nearly 175 years—and now we have the data to prove it. Check out the new Economic Impact Report from the Center for Research & Data at the Cincinnati Regional Chamber to see how this historic market continues to drive growth, equity, and vibrancy in our region.
Arena Study Findings Confirm Need for New Arena, Identify Highly Viable Sites, and Project Programming Increase in Modern Facility
A new report by the Cincinnati Regional Chamber in collaboration with Visit Cincy, 3CDC, the Port, the Cincinnati Business Committee and Cincinnati Regional Business Committee, and in partnership with the City of Cincinnati and Hamilton County, underscores the need for a modern arena to replace the nearly 50-year-old Heritage Bank Center.
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