The First Suburbs Consortium (FSC) was created by elected officials of older suburbs in response to the recognition that government policies and practices promote the development of new communities at the outer edges of metropolitan regions over the redevelopment and maintenance of mature suburbs. The FSC is the first government-led advocacy organization in the country working to revitalize mature, developed communities and raise public and political awareness of the problems and inequities associated with urban sprawl and disinvestment.

In 1998, the FSC convened a statewide meeting to share information with colleagues in all regions of Ohio. Participants agreed that older suburbs throughout Ohio shared many of the same issues and challenges: aging infrastructure; deteriorating business and industrial bases; and an aging and sometimes dated housing stock that is becoming less attractive to potential new residents. Increasingly, communities are experiencing the same economic and social consequences of abandonment. in April 1999, the statewide group met again in Columbus with legislators and administration officials. The 28 participating communities represented more than 750,000 Ohioans.