(Featuring Nan Whaley, Mayor, Dayton, Ohio)

The discussion on recovery as COVID begins to decline often focuses on larger US cities. So what’s next for the mid-sized markets, and could Dayton, Ohio have some answers?

https://www.afire.org/podcast/developingdaytoncast/

How have mid-size cities with less density responded to the pandemic? Are there advantages or disadvantages to living in smaller urban areas in the COVID times? Most importantly, what opportunities can these areas offer investors?

On this episode of the AFIRE Podcast with Gunnar Branson, Nan Whaley, mayor of Dayton, Ohio, explains the challenges and advantages Dayton has experienced during the last two years. Because of its lower density, Dayton was uniquely situated for social distancing protocols, experiencing growth during the pandemic-related migration out of larger gateway markets.

Combined with a very open attitude toward land development, the local market is bouncing back quickly—though housing availability and labor shortages remain as barriers to more expeditious growth. Mayor Whaley shares her goals for increasing density, fostering growth, and creating more equity in housing—and how these goals could inform the future of real estate in other mid-sized US cities.