Forum focuses on improving Erie County

SANDUSKY — An upcoming forum aims to start tackling strategies for the region in hopes of increasing population and investment across Erie County. Put on by the Greater Sandusky Partnership, the 2022 Fall Symposium Changing Our Future event takes place from 1-5 p.m. on Oct. 13 at the Cedar Point Sports Center in Sandusky. Through a panel discussion led by industry experts, it seeks to "align new economic development initiatives and emerging resources toward changing negative population trends that have existed in our region for several generations," according to an event statement. "We will examine the census data and explore growth options that we can consider for our own investments moving forward," it read. This marks the partnership's first such event. In short, the partnership strives to make Sandusky and Erie County a better place for all. Its goals center on bringing more residents and businesses to the area. "It's critical for decision-makers, leaders and the public to begin to understand demographic trends that will need to be influenced to grow again and how other communities, like us, are approaching these issues," said Joe Roman, the Erie County Chamber of Commerce's director. Roman helped create the partnership with others, including Duff Milkie, a longtime Sandusky resident who previously worked as Cedar Fair's executive vice president, general counsel and corporate secretary. Roman selected Milkie to chair the partnership. So why should people come to the forum? It's "designed for anyone interested in learning about local challenges and opportunities but, specifically, for business and public policy leaders," Roman said. People will receive "information that will help them to understand how to influence our region's future but also information that might help them understand their own markets for their businesses and organizations," he added. Roman hopes to make this event an annual occurrence. Regarding the symposium's end goal, Roman said it's "simply to begin making sure that we are all aware of the dynamics for growth. While celebrating current successes are important, it's the future trends impacting us that need to be absorbed and understood." Want to go? What: 2022 Fall Symposium — Changing Our Future event; The presentation will help the area begin to align new economic development initiatives and emerging resources to help grow the region's population. Where: Cedar Point Sports Center, 2701 Cleveland Road W. (U.S. 6), Sandusky When: 1-5 p.m. Thursday, Oct. 13 Who: Keynote speakers and panelists include: • Ohio Lt. Gov. Jon Husted • Dr. Edward "Ned" Hill, an economic development professor at the John Glenn College of Public Affairs at The Ohio State University • Russ Mills, the senior director at Bowling Green State University's center for regional development • Joe Cimperman, Global Cleveland's president How: The event is open to the public. There is an entrance fee of $25, and college students can get in for $10. People can find tickets by visiting eventbrite.com and searching for "Greater Sandusky Partnership 2022 Fall Symposium." Make sure the location field is set to Sandusky. More: People can contact 419-625-6421 or email kimberlym@eriecountychamber.com with questions.