Unified vision drives county's future

NORWALK — Huron County leaders have released a detailed plan to guide the region's development through 2028 — one that focuses as much on how to achieve progress as on what needs to be done. The 2026–2028 Strategic Plan, published by the Huron County Growth Partnership, outlines a framework for collaboration, measurable goals and data-driven accountability. Board president John Lendrum described the plan as the result of "years of collaboration and creative thinking," uniting local governments, businesses and civic partners behind a single mission: "To empower businesses to thrive, communities to grow, and opportunities for prosperity." A unified approach The partnership was formed via a merger of several county economic development agencies to form a single countywide partnership. The partnership engaged BGSU Firelands college's Allia Carter and Stacey Hartley, in a 10-week process, to brings together input from surveys, interviews and stakeholder meetings. Rather than pursuing dozens of scattered projects, the partnership intends to focus on a smaller number of well-defined priorities that can deliver lasting results, according to the plan. Economic advancement The partnership laid out a hands-on plan to support existing employers and attract new investment. Key strategies include strengthening business retention and expansion visits along with regular meetings to identify local challenges early and connect companies with state or regional support. The plan also emphasizes leveraging outside funding by economic development groups like JobsOhio and Team NEO programs and maintaining a robust contact-tracking system to monitor business needs and follow up. Another major goal is developing shovel-ready sites through coordinated land-use planning. By working with townships and municipalities on zoning and infrastructure readiness, the partnership hopes to make the county more attractive to investors. Success will be measured through increases in private investment, job creation and employer satisfaction, according to the plan. Community advancement The Huron County Growth Partnership intends to focus on strengthening local connections and improving quality of life. Three key goals drive this effort: increasing stakeholder engagement, encouraging public investment and advancing land-use strategy. To achieve them, the partnership plans to host workshops and outreach programs that bring together local governments, residents and businesses. The partnership will serve as a neutral convener — coordinating grant applications, helping municipalities align infrastructure work with regional goals, and supporting community projects that complement economic growth. On land use, the plan calls for updating an inventory of developable land and collaborating with planning commissions to improve predictability and reduce duplication across jurisdictions. Organizational strategy & services The Growth Partnership is also looking inward in its plan, with the aim of strengthening itself. The plan calls for creating systems to monitor and report progress, such as dashboards and annual scorecards shared with the public. Staff training and leadership development are also central priorities, ensuring the organization remains "adaptable and sustainable." Operational goals include upgrading technology, improving office space and diversifying revenue sources through county support, memberships and grants. Financial accountability and transparency are recurring themes, reinforced by annual evaluations and open reporting. Understanding the county's position The plan begins with a data snapshot: Huron County's population is projected to decline modestly, though the number of jobs is expected to remain stable. Manufacturing, construction, transportation, warehousing, agriculture and healthcare form the core of the county's economy. The plan notes that these industries offer "sustained employment opportunities" but depend on continued workforce development and retention. Labor force participation, however, is expected to drop faster than population — a challenge the Growth Partnership aims to counter through business support and stronger regional collaboration. Focus and accountability Each section of the plan includes measurable benchmarks — from the number of business visits completed to annual satisfaction surveys and stakeholder engagement totals. "This plan is about focus and follow-through," the document states. "It is not about doing more things, but about doing the right things well." By aligning resources and measuring outcomes, leaders hope to make countywide progress visible and transparent, according to Lendrum. "This plan represents the beginning of a long-term effort," Lendrum wrote. "By aligning our goals and working together, we can ensure Huron County's future remains strong." The full Huron County Growth Partnership 2026–2028 Strategic Plan can be viewed at: huroncountyohio.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/10/2026-2028-Strategic-Plan.pdf.