Research completed by Donald T. Iannone & Associates
The objective of the study was to compile an objective analysis of the economic impacts of the Marina District Project on the local economy and communicate the results to area residents. Iannone & Associates conducted interviews with community members, collected relevant data, produced a community and economic profile, utilized IMPLAN to analyze the data and wrote the final study/report.
The project is a development in Sandusky that includes:
The proposed development plan will be introduced in three phases from 2008 – 2014. Construction will continue over the seven year period, with some operational considerations beginning as early as 2010. The developer will invest over $134 million while the city will invest under $20 million (funding plan is already in place). These investments will produce nearly $250 million in new spending, new income and new taxes + nearly 1500 jobs.
Iannone & Associates selected a conservative approach to the analysis. For example, they included no dollars from Induced Income (income available to spend by those employed in either the operational or construction phases of the project). After reviewing the demographic and economic environment of both the city of Sandusky and Erie County, the firm concluded that Sandusky: population is declining forcing income, housing stock, labor force, industry employment and the tax base down. It also concluded the county has a slight population loss with very slow growth in housing, income, industry employment and in the tax base.
The researchers concluded that the local spending impact will total $205 million, the local income impact accumulates to $34.1 million, the local tax impact totals approximately $10 million and 1460 new jobs are created.
Iannone & Associates suggested the city ensure public access to the lakefront, as well as preserving open space and park areas. They also suggested the development be a “green” project, incorporating an environmentally friendly strategy. The city should also work to maximize employment opportunities for city residents and to increase local business involvement to increase the economic impact of the development.
Positive impacts include:
Putting all the elements of the project impact analysis together, Iannone & Associates concludes a positive effect on the local economy will be realized, with approximately ¼ of a billion dollars in spending, taxes and income generated during the project time frame (2008 – 2014).
FOR MORE INFORMATION
- For more information, please click here for the Economic Impact Study Power Point presentation
- For the complete technical report, click here
- If you have any questions, please email the foundation at info@sanduskyfoundation.org
Thank you for your interest in learning more about the proposed Marina District Project.
In 2008, a group of Erie County government, business and foundation leaders began meeting to discuss the feasibility of using wind as an alternative energy source for our cities, villages and townships. Sufficient wind power is readily available in most locations in Erie County, making it attractive in terms of cost savings, and as an environmentally friendly alternative to other sources of energy.
With a grant of $50,000 from the Erie County Foundations Council to the Erie County Economic Development Corporation [ECEDC], wind energy assessments were provided to any interested municipality in Erie County. We hoped that the studies would provide useful data to help the municipalities consider wind energy as an alternative source of electricity, and to help create jobs related to wind turbine manufacturing, installation and maintenance for Erie County workers.
Studies on various locations were conducted by Huron-based Engineered Process Systems, indicating that if all sites installed turbines, the cost savings to Erie County tax payers would be around $18 million over a thirty year period.
| Erie County Wind Energy Studies | ||||||
| Governments | Proposed Turbine Location | Turbine Size | Projected 30 yr Energy Cost Savings | Turbine Cost | ODOD Grant | Balance |
| Berlin Twp | Twp Hall | 20KW | $109,400 | $100,000 | $40,000 | $60,000 |
| Groton Twp | Twp Hall | 20KW | $119,344 | $100,000 | $40,000 | $60,000 |
| Huron Twp | Twp Hall/ Fire | 50KW | $170,100 | $250,000 | $100,000 | $150,000 |
| Vermilion Twp | Services | 50KW | $301,699 | $250,000 | $100,000 | $150,000 |
| Perkins Twp | Fire Station | 20KW | $139,489 | $100,000 | $40,000 | $60,000 |
| Huron | WTP | 250KW | $2,114,103 | $1,000,000 | $200,000 | $800,000 |
| Industrial Park | 250KW | N/A | $1,000,000 | $200,000 | $800,000 | |
| Sandusky | WTP | 250 KW | $2,361,177 | $1,000,000 | $200,000 | $800,000 |
| WWTP | 250KW | $2,232,717 | $1,000,000 | $200,000 | $800,000 | |
| Fire station | 50KW | $292,993 | $250,000 | $100,000 | $150,000 | |
| Services | 50KW | $272,656 | $250,000 | $100,000 | $150,000 | |
| Vermilion | WWTP | 250KW | $2,515,100 | $1,000,000 | $200,000 | $800,000 |
| Services | 20KW | $190,977 | $100,000 | $40,000 | $60,000 | |
| Erie County | Care Facility | 250KW | $2,289,613 | $1,000,000 | $200,000 | $800,000 |
| WWTP Basin | 250KW | $2,289,613 | $1,000,000 | $200,000 | $800,000 | |
| Offices | 250KW | $2,176,750 | $1,000,000 | $200,000 | $800,000 | |
| Health Dept | 50KW | $522,784 | $250,000 | $100,000 | $150,000 | |
| Court-Avery | 20KW | $233,777 | $100,000 | $40,000 | $60,000 | |
| Erie County Totals | $18,332,292 | $9,750,000 | $2,300,000 | $7,450,000 | ||
Cuyahoga, Erie and Lorain Counties and the private sector are working together to rebuild the Norfolk Southern rail infrastructure along the western shore of Lake Erie and improve it to provide for efficient passenger service. The benefits to the region include: low cost convenient travel; easy commute over larger areas; reduced highway traffic; new jobs; increased real estate values; and convenient access for leisure activities. A federally funded plan called the Alternatives Analysis will be conducted for the Cleveland to Sandusky corridor. During the Alternatives Analysis, a series of public meetings will educate citizens and public officials. In each county, three opportunities for public involvement will be held, focusing on kick-off meetings, implementation, and final reports to each community.
The study has been funded through a $343,000 earmark secured by Congresswoman Betty Sutton. A local match of $68,800 was required, with each of the three participating counties contributing about a one third share. In Erie County, the Lake Erie Shores and Islands and the Erie County Foundations Council provided a total of $25,000 for the analysis.
A portion of the study will evaluate the economic impact on the rail project as well as the value creation and capture of development opportunities around the station stops. The study will inform the public as to the budget, rolling stock and capital improvements, frequency and fares, market areas and numbers of riders, impact on real estate development and jobs. Public meetings in Erie County will be hosted by the Sandusky/Erie County Community Foundation.
West Shore Commuter Rail Task Force Steering Committee
(Erie County Representatives)
Patrick Petrigan, Chair, Vermilion
Honorable Eileen Bulan, Vermilion
Larry Bettcher, Bettcher Industries
Honorable Bill Monaghan, Erie County Commissioner