HCDC board meets first time in 2021

NORWALK — Huron County Development Council has elected new board officers and met for the first time since August. The board met on Feb. 11 for a full board meeting over Zoom. Due to COVID-19 and administering the Huron County CARES grants, the board was unable to meet since August 2020. The new officers from 2021-2022 are president Craig Trick, of Comprehensive Construction Solutions, vice president Dave Weisenberger, of Tusing Construction, secretary Bill Bader, of Summit Motorsports Park, and treasurer Anthony Luedy, of First National Bank. Huron County Development Council (HCDC) helped with the business plan and opening of Lisa's Ice Cream in Willard. Currently, the board is working on six confidential economic development projects. Carol Knapp, the executive director, has completed the files of the four CARES grants and a total of $656,541.17 was awarded to businesses throughout the county. Through the three separate grant programs, the Huron County commissioners awarded a total of $484241.17 to 45 small businesses in the county. New London awarded $82,300 to 12 New London businesses through their CARES grant program. Through Willard's grant program, eight businesses were awarded a total of $50,000. Monroeville awarded $40,000 to eight businesses in the village. Assistant director Karmen Ross is working on the annual report of the Enterprise Zone and Community Reinvestment Area. She is obtaining information from businesses and schools to prepare for Tax Incentive Review Committee meetings. These meetings will determine if the business is in compliance. Ross is also working with Wakeman and Willard on their Community Redevelopment Area residential programs.