Carol Knapp retires as executive director

NORWALK — Longtime Huron County Development Council Executive Director, Carol Knapp, has made the difficult decision to retire at the end of 2021. In a letter submitted to the Executive Board, Knapp said "It is with mixed emotions that I submit my letter of resignation as Executive Director of the Huron County Development Council. The effective date of my retirement is Dec. 31, 2021." Knapp entered the economic development profession in 2001 and joined HCDC in March 2011. "I am proud of being a part of HCDC's accomplishments and successes over the last ten years and nine months," Knapp said. Knapp accomplished a great deal in her 10-plus years in Huron County. Highlights include the creation of Community Reinvestment Areas (CRAs) in Willard, Wakeman and New London and the creation of the Huron County Transportation Improvement District (T-I-D). CRAs set the stage for future economic development growth and residential growth in the community while the T-I-D is a program through the ODOT Jobs & Commerce. Only counties with T-I-Ds are eligible to apply for grants to assist with transportation-related projects that impact economic development. Under Knapp, the Huron County Development Council created the Moving Ohio Forward Demolition Program and administered the program for the county. More recently, the creation of the Huron County Land Revitalization Corporation, better known as the Huron County Land Bank. In cooperation with the Huron County Board of Commissioners and Vickie Ziemba, Knapp aided in touching area business during the COVID-19 Pandemic through the administration of the Cares Grant Program in Huron County, helping seventy-two businesses received $656,541.17 in financial assistance.