Commissioners send letter in support of economic strategy

NORWALK — After a bit of discussion, Huron County commissioners agreed Thursday morning to send a letter in support of CEDS — a Certified Economic Development Strategy — with Erie County. Huron County commissioners heard comments Tuesday from Alex McCoy, executive director of the Huron County Development Council, and Sarah Ross, executive director of the Norwalk Economic Development Corporation, who talked about joining forces to help expand economic development. What is a CEDS? "The CEDS is a locally-based, regionally-driven planning process and document that creates the space for a region to identify its strengths and weaknesses and bring together diverse partners to lay a foundation that could create jobs, diversity the local economy and spur growth," according to Tuesday's presentation. The program would create a regional partnership with Erie County. Commissioners balked at the notion Tuesday because the letter said they would work together with the Erie County Commissioners. Those two boards recently spent time in court battling over a landfill issue. Huron County won the suit but spent $1 million in court costs, commissioner Harry Brady pointed out. Commissioners agreed Tuesday to take out wording about working together with the Erie County Commissioners. When the issue came up again Thursday, Brady and commissioner Terry Boose had a spirited conversation. "I am not against setting up a CEDS. What I am against is doing it on very, very, very limited information," Boose said. "If you two vote on this I will say that there is no way you had the time to understand the whole process or whatever before you sign this." Brady acknowledged "This came to us as a Johnny-come-lately thing." But, he added from the work he did and people he talked to he thinks this will be good for the county. Boose said this is something that doesn't have to be done until next year. There is no rush, he emphasized. "I do trust the fact that we have some good economic development people in this county ... and hopefully Erie County," Brady said. "I am quite confident we can put this together." Bill Bader Jr., owner of Summit Motorsports Park and president of the Huron County Development Council, talked in favor of the CEDS. "The Comprehensive Economic Development Strategy (CEDS) contributes to effective economic development in America's communities and regions through a locally-based, regionally-driven economic development planning process," Bader told the commissioners. "Economic development planning — as implemented through the CEDS — is not only a cornerstone of the U.S. Economic Development Administration's programs, but successfully serves to engage community leaders, leverage the involvement of the private sector, and establish a strategic blueprint for regional collaboration." Bader said a CEDS answers four crucial questions: 1. What have we done? 2. Where are we now? 3. Where do we want to go? 4. How do we get there? "In order for Huron County to survive and thrive we need answers to these questions," Bader said. "We need a plan. Now is the time." Commissioners voted 2-1 in favor of signing the letter in favor of the CEDS, with Boose voting no. Also at the meeting, network administrator Joel Riedy and director of operations Pete Welch gave updates on county projects. Commissioners praised the two for the work they are doing and encouraged them to keep moving forward with their projects. "This will be extremely helpful at budget time," Boose told Welch. "The way you have done it ... it is so easy to understand and so easy to follow."