Like so much of America, industry has moved offshore or to states more empathetic to industry than Ohio. Once in awhile, we have good news, such as the recent announcements from Fenner Dunlop. While this is great, we do not see enough of this type of growth in out area.
With the changing industrial culture in our country, we will not see enough of this type of good news in Ottawa County to sustain economic growth and to pay the rising bills or infrastructure, housing and roads, as well as many other dire needs.
Your Chamber of Commerce Board of Directors is of the opinion that development of benefiting the community at-large must occur, now. The best place to develop with the intent to bring more income and tourists to our city is the waterfront.
Make no mistake, if we were to survive as a community and return to prosperity, we must develop. If those who wish to do nothing prevail, they will have this town to themselves with the millions of dollars of debt that will occur. On the other hand, if we look to the future and develop our assets, we will and can keep our quaint atmosphere and still be viable economic force in our county. Your Chamber supports development.
Today, we are a community of about 6,000 people, down from 7,000 a decade earlier. We are a county of 40,000 plus, with no growth for two decades. We are a community where a very large percentage of small business owners, who have a fiduciary interest in this project, live in the county and not in the city. These individuals should have a voice in the final outcome and decision. The impact of the final decision goes far beyond Port Clinton city’s limits.
Port Clinton must develop a year around draw.
Board of Directors
Port Clinton Area Chamber of Commerce
