Boat company docks in Huron

HURON — A boating company landed in Huron, debuting its brick-and-mortar shop to the community earlier this month. Buckeye Sports Center — an Ohio-based business selling boats, offering marine services and providing storage — opened at a 44,000-square-foot site across from Goodwill and near Woodlands Intermediate School off Cleveland Road. It's visible from Ohio 2 at the Rye Beach Road (U.S. 6) exit. "We could not be more excited about the addition of a second location in Huron," said Bob Armington, president and product manager at Buckeye Sports Center. "We see this as an excellent opportunity to provide quality brands, products, services and overall expand our customer reach in the western basin market." A statement offers more insight into the company: "Buckeye Sports Center has been serving the boaters of northeast Ohio for 60 years in the heart of the Cleveland, Akron and Canton markets, where most of our customers live. Now we're excited to be opening a new state-of-the-art facility in the western basin (Huron) with some of the top brands in the industry, where our customers, boat, store and service their boats. We are also featuring the largest watersports pro shop in the area along with a Helly Hansen department, Hobie kayaks and full accessory department in order to be a one-stop shop for all the boaters in northern Ohio." Tax deal anchors company Back in early 2022, Huron city council members approved a 15-year tax abatement agreement with Buckeye Sports Center. The deal served as a prerequisite before Buckeye came into Huron. The abatement forgives 100% of all property taxes for new development for a 15-year period. Officials felt comfortable authorizing this arrangement based on several factors. This would include Buckeye representatives indicating they would: • Invest $10 million in a new facility • Create a minimum of 14 new employment positions with at least a $730,000 annual payroll when fully up and running • Ensure two local school districts are made whole; Normally, these types of deals translate to public educational institutions losing out on a sizable amount of money. Huron city manager Matt Lasko explained. Buckeye "agreed to provide payment to Huron Schools and EHOVE Career Center for the amount of taxes they normally would have received if there wasn't an abatement in place," Lasko said. "In other words, (Buckeye) will make payments to the school districts for an amount equivalent had there not been an abatement at all." Lasko appreciates the company's willingness to do business both with city officials and in Huron. He then summarized his feelings on these tax abatements and their evolving necessity to entice companies, like this one, into town. "We believe that it's critical for local communities to look for ways to incentive companies to help offset their construction costs to ensure the long-term viability of the company after opening," Lasko said. The company wants to expand in Huron "because of the strong boating community and easy access to amenities," said Erik Engle, the city's planning and zoning manager. "The folks at Buckeye Sports know the owner of South Shore Marine and were encouraged to open their second location here in Huron. Their products complement South Shore so the two will not necessarily be direct competitors."