economy, investing in infrastructure that benefits locals and visitors year-round. “We’re fortunate to have Cedar Point in our backyard,” says Patrick Shenigo, Erie County Commissioner. With its proximity to Cedar Point, the county has leaned into tourism to build a robust hospitality sector, boasting 8,000 hotel rooms across Erie and neighboring Ottawa counties. But it doesn’t stop there. Shenigo explains that the county’s leadership recognized early on the need to expand the region’s appeal beyond the summer months. “So, we’ve expanded on that. As we call it, we’ve ‘put a roof over the snow,’” Shenigo says, describing Erie County’s efforts to drive off-season tourism.The county invested $50 million into a sports complex, complete with indoor and outdoor facilities, aiming to attract sports tournaments and events during colder months.This strategy has doubled the county’s bed tax revenues. “When I started as commissioner 16 years ago, we were collecting around $12 million a year in sales taxes,” Shenigo recalls. “This year, we’re going to hit somewhere between $22 and $23 million.” The impact is extensive—local restaurants, retail, and other small businesses benefit from the influx of visitors while the county reinvests those tax dollars back into the community. Erie County is using these resources to enhance quality of life and support residents through innovative tax policies. One of Shenigo’s most notable actions as commissioner was suspending the county’s portion of real estate tax collection for this and the next year. “It’s going to cost us about $8 million to do that,” he explains, “but it comes at a time when people can’t afford another increase in taxes, especially with the state reassessing property values.” With property valuations expected to rise by 28 to 31%, Shenigo believes this move provides relief to residents feeling the pinch of inflation and rising living costs. DEVELOPING MULTIPLE AVENUES OF GROWTH Erie County’s economic story has long been associated with its bustling tourism industry, but there’s much more happening beneath the surface. 85 CIVIL AND MUNICIPAL VOLUME 05, ISSUE 11 ERIE COUNTY, OH
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