Erie County, Ohio

Building a Year-Round Hub

A county expertly investing in infrastructure, innovation, and community to drive sustainable growth across tourism, retail, and manufacturing.

Erie County, Ohio, sits along the scenic shores of Lake Erie, a region known for its vibrant tourism industry, community-driven initiatives, and strategic development projects. This county of around 75,000 residents may be best known as the home of Cedar Point, the famed amusement park, but its economic footprint extends far beyond roller coasters and summer vacations. Over the years, county leaders have worked to diversify the local 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. “We were at one time an automotive town,” Shenigo says, reflecting on Erie County’s industrial roots. At its peak, the region was home to General Motors, Ford, and Chrysler plants, driving local employment and economic growth for decades.

While the automotive giants have mostly moved on, the county has adapted. “We’ve brought in other industries that replaced automotive,” Shenigo explains. One example is Ardagh Metals that has expanded significantly, with a $400 million investment into its facilities. Meanwhile, a Ford offshoot, Ventra Automotive still operates in the area, employing around 2,300 people.

Healthcare has emerged as another critical pillar of the local economy. “Health care is either the second or third largest employer in the region,” Eric Wobser, CEO of the Greater Sandusky Partnership, notes. At the heart of this sector is Firelands Health, an independent community hospital that anchors the county’s healthcare offerings. The presence of other regional hospitals—Fisher-Titus in neighboring Huron County, McGruder in Ottawa County, and Bellevue Hospital in Sandusky County—creates a robust healthcare network.

This diversification strategy has been crucial, particularly in positioning Erie County as a year-round destination for prospective residents and businesses. Wobser notes that while Sandusky has twice been named America’s Best Coastal Small Town by USA Today, and Cedar Point continues to garner accolades as the country’s top amusement park, these same qualities make the area an attractive place to live. “A lot of the same reasons that people want to visit here would make it a great place to live,” he says, adding that the county’s natural beauty, affordable cost of living, and healthcare infrastructure play a significant role in retaining and attracting residents.

The numbers back up Erie County’s appeal. According to Wobser, Huron Township generated $75M in lodging tax sales with Kalahari Resorts as an anchor company, while Sandusky followed closely behind with $67 million, and Perkins Township rounded out the top ten in Ohio with $41 million. Together, these three communities—representing a combined population of about 50,000—generated more lodging tax revenue than the entire city of Cincinnati, which ranks third in the state. “If you add up the lodging tax sales from those three communities, it’s more than the entire city of Cincinnati,” Wobser emphasizes.

Looking ahead, Erie County’s industrial base continues to expand. Wobser mentions the recent groundbreaking at the former General Motors plant, now set to become home to Aligned Data Center. “The first phase will be over $200 million,” he says, “and all four phases are set to invest about $1 billion.” This ambitious project and other expansions show the county’s ongoing transformation into a diversified industrial powerhouse.

Infrastructure, Investment, and Fiscal Health

In Erie County, revitalization is a catchphrase for sustainable growth. From downtown makeovers to critical infrastructure upgrades, the county is transforming. At the heart of these efforts is a strategic focus on enhancing the area’s livability while preserving its appeal as a top tourist destination.

“We’ve seen about $200 million invested in downtown Sandusky, with another $300 million planned over the next five years,” Wobser says. Downtown revitalization isn’t limited to Sandusky. Investments are flowing into other waterfront communities like Vermilion and Huron, turning these towns into vibrant hubs for residents and visitors.

Shenigo echoes this sentiment, noting how waterfront revitalization efforts are reshaping how people interact with Erie County. “We have a lot of marinas, and a lot of people come here from around the state every weekend,” he says. With recent development projects, visitors are discovering that Erie County isn’t just a place to vacation—it’s a place to settle. This growing interest has even prompted some to relocate their businesses to the area, lured by both the lifestyle and the improvements in local infrastructure.

Those infrastructure improvements are pivotal. Shenigo highlights one project opening up hundreds of acres of land for commercial development by extending a new sewer line toward the Milan area. “By installing this new sewer line, we’re opening up previously undevelopable land. The company behind the project is going to tip it, so there’s really no cost to our community,” he explains. Shenigo also points out a federally mandated $20 million upgrade to the sewer system, which is being paid for in cash rather than through debt.

Erie County is also leveraging federal support to expand its transportation infrastructure. In 2022, Erie County secured the largest federal transportation grant available, the $24.5 million RAISE grant. “That grant will help us build out Route 6, which is critical as Cedar Point Sports Center continues to grow,” Wobser explains. The funding also supports the expansion of the Sandusky Bay Pathway, a regional bike trail system with the long-term goal of spanning 100 miles across three counties.

The financial health of the area is also a clear indicator of success. Sandusky’s general fund revenue has more than doubled, growing from $16 million in 2014 to $35 million in 2023. “While the investment is coming in, taxes remain low,” Wobser emphasizes, pointing out that Sandusky’s income tax rate is just 1.25%, and the sales tax is 6.75%, lower than many other counties. Wealth in Erie County has grown by 36% over the past decade, outpacing both state and national averages.

From Main Street to NASA

“About 15 years ago, you could roll a bowling ball down our main commercial corridor and not hit a car,” says Kula Lynch, Greater Sandusky Partnership Board Member. “That has changed dramatically.” The shift Lynch refers to stems from a concerted push to bring consistent, year-round business to the region. The results are clear: the county now boasts four Starbucks locations and is home to the only enclosed mall, Target, and Sam’s Club in a four-county radius. These stores pull in consumers from Huron, Ottawa, and Sandusky counties, a sign that regional demand is strong.

But beyond retail, Erie County is also positioning itself for major industrial development. “We have acreage for larger development, and we’ve been seeking out some of those larger players,” Lynch notes, pointing to the county’s ongoing efforts to attract significant commercial investments. One of Erie County’s more unique assets? NASA’s Station, part of the Glenn Research Center, which has been a cornerstone of the county’s economic development.

“In 2016, NASA was making cutbacks across the nation,” recalls Shenigo. At the time, there was concern about the future of Plum Brook, a 6,500-acre testing facility in the county. But thanks to the leadership of General Dave Stringer, who works for Glenn Research, the site has not only survived—it has flourished. “600 to 700 million has been invested,” Shenigo says. Today, Neil Armstrong Test Facilities is regarded as one of the premier test sites in the world for large-scale space equipment.

The infrastructure surrounding NASA Neil Armstrong Test Facilities adds to its appeal for both government and private entities. The site is supplied by two major power sources from Cleveland and Toledo, and its water infrastructure is particularly robust. “At one time, there was a nuclear facility there,” Shenigo says, explaining that two large water lines run directly from Lake Erie to the facility, one from Huron and one from Sandusky. These lines, which can produce 30 million gallons of raw water, are now owned by Erie County—obtained from the federal government at no cost.

Mixed-Use Development and Housing Growth

As the demand for walkable communities and mixed-use developments rises, county leaders are keen to capitalize on these trends, creating spaces that combine retail, residential, and public amenities to reflect modern needs.

“The mall has had a mixed-use housing development component as part of their master plan,” Wobser says. Over the last decade, downtown Sandusky has seen over 200 mixed-use housing units developed, part of a broader push toward creating vibrant, walkable communities. “There’s increasing demand for housing and mixed-use, especially with the desire for walkability,” he adds. This trend extends beyond just the downtown core, as similar projects are taking root in township areas across the county.

However, the county’s approach to housing and development is more than just adding apartments above storefronts. Shenigo explains the role of local government. “What the county government can do is make it easier for developers via infrastructure,” Shenigo says. That means investing in the roads, sewer systems, and water lines essential to any large-scale residential project. “We’ve passed new subdivision regulations, making it easier for developers to select their own engineers and cut through the bureaucracy,” he notes.

Future Focus

As Erie County moves forward, local leaders are laser-focused on creating a prosperous future for businesses and residents. Over the next 18 months, significant efforts will be made to make the county an even more attractive destination for businesses, tourists, and homeowners alike.

“We’re going to take the money that we’ve been able to save over the years, and we’re going to continue to invest in infrastructure and our people,” Shenigo says. Erie County has built up reserves over time, positioning itself to make impactful investments without accruing additional debt. Shenigo’s vision includes expanding on the county’s strengths while continuing to attract new industries across multiple sectors.

With infrastructure at the heart of these plans, Erie County aims to make the necessary improvements to support long-term growth. Whether it’s updating roads, water lines, or sewer systems, the county will ensure the foundation is in place for new developments. “We’re focusing on attracting new industry in all areas—tourism, commercial, retail, residential, and industrial,” Shenigo concludes.

AT A GLANCE

Erie County

What: A thriving county focused on economic growth through tourism, industrial expansion, and infrastructure investment

Where: Northern Ohio, USA

Website: https://www.eriecounty.oh.gov/