Manufacturing is still Erie County's largest sector

Tom Jackson's history of Sandusky manufacturing ("Manufacturing used to be robust," June 17 Sandusky Register) offered a valuable look at the industries that helped shape our area. From New Departure and American Crayon to Lyman Boats and Hinde & Dauch, manufacturing has long been part of our identity. That history is worth celebrating — and it also provides an opportunity to recognize that manufacturing remains a vital part of our economy today. While the companies and products have changed over time, manufacturing is still Erie County's largest economic sector. The New Departure bearing plant, Lyman's boats, the American Crayon works: that was the industrial city the 1970 census counted at 32,674 people. Many of those historic plants are gone or have evolved into something new. KBI, New Departure's descendant, closed in 2017, and the site is now a data center. At the same time, Ventra Sandusky continues the area's automotive manufacturing tradition at the former Ford plant and remains one of the region's largest employers. The closures were real, and they were not unique to Sandusky. The United States lost about a quarter of its manufacturing jobs between 2000 and 2024, more than four million positions, with durable goods absorbing most of the loss. Ohio was among the states hit hardest. The story of manufacturing in our region did not end when many of those well-known plants closed. It evolved. Manufacturing produced $1.28 billion in Erie County in 2024, 24 percent of the county's output, according to Bureau of Economic Analysis data released in February. The companies behind that number look little like the ones in Jackson's account, but the sector is still strong. What changed is the kind of manufacturing. In 2001, durable goods like bearings and auto parts were 70 percent of the county's manufacturing output. By 2024, they were 32 percent. Nondurable production moved the other way and now makes up 68 percent, $875 million against $409 million from durable goods. The bearing and boat and appliance plants gave way to a different set of producers. Today's manufacturing sector includes globally competitive companies such as LEWCO and LogistiQ, ThorWorks Industries, American Colors, Sandusky Packaging and many others. Their products may not always be visible to the public, but their impact can be seen in jobs, investment and economic activity throughout the region. For a county known for Cedar Point and the lakeshore, manufacturing remains a strong sector of Erie County's economy. At the same time, our destination economy has created opportunities to invest in the kinds of communities where people want to live, work, visit and invest. Our goal is to build a diverse, year-round economy that leverages the unique strengths of this region and creates opportunity across sectors for generations to come. We are grateful to the Sandusky Register for highlighting this important history. Understanding where we come from helps us better appreciate our story today and the opportunities ahead.