VOTE411 Voter Guide

One great challenge is ensuring the retention and growth of existing businesses. This year, we’ve established an office that will visit local businesses to support their continued success in Lucas County. We understand our best strategy for stability lies in fostering the growth of businesses already here. They are the backbone of our growth, and by helping them thrive, we strengthen the entire community. Housing is a critical component of economic development. Lucas County is pushing for the state to establish a $500 million fund to support local housing development. Additionally, the Lucas County Land Bank is doing remarkable work in rehabilitating homes and creating new housing opportunities. Workforce development is another challenge. Lucas County has a history of strong partnerships with trades and schools, working through our Workforce Development Board to ensure the local labor force is equipped with the skills to meet the demands of our evolving economy.

Our goal is to maintain a vibrant economy in Lucas County, ensuring that the sales tax—our main revenue source—remains strong. A healthy economy enables us to invest in initiatives that attract visitors and boost local spending.

The Convention Visitors Bureau has helped double the number of visitors in recent years, with attractions and events like the Walleyes, Mud Hens, and Jeep Fest heling to drive outside revenue.

Our focus remains on business retention, affordable housing, and workforce development, supported by strong partnerships with the Chamber of Commerce, schools, and developers. We need continued funding for housing development and to sustain these collaborations. Together, we will achieve these critical goals for our county’s growth.

The greatest issue of economic development in Lucas County is that there is none! Wood County is mopping up on new investments. Lucas County is in the bottom 4 percent of all 88 counties in Ohio in economic development. Most successful counties have the business community leading economic development. It's funded by business owners, and ideas are generated by the people who know business. You want to look at UN-successful business models -- it's the ones run by bloated governments. Lucas County's economic development person had to leave her post. So the first thing I would do is get good leadership to run economic development by working WITH the business community. Then I'd involve the Port Authority more closely. Finally, I'll review zoning codes so we have the oversight without having the overburden on companies - large and small - who want to d business with Lucas County. And, I have a plan for Quality of Life development - from water quality to animal control to public safety.

I'll restore the $2.5 million that comes to the county from the state for workforce development. Did you know of those millions coming into Lucas County, in 2023 only $400,000 was spent? We have people willing to work, able to work, who may need a little bit of educational help. Secondly, I'll eliminate the shell game of financing. Money that was designated for Emergency Medical Services (EMS) and Advanced Life Support (ALS) should be restored to full funding because safety and security are a big part of a county's economic development. Additionally, I will require a comprehensive review of all funding requests from agencies wanting to put a tax levy on the ballot, and I will require information about CEO compensation and efforts to diversify funding streams. This way ALL taxpayers are getting the best bang for their hard-earned dollar. I'll review the spending on the "new" jail, which will be outdated by the time it's started, and determine why it's $100 million over budget.