A 'partnership' for the greater good

SANDUSKY — Sandusky officials committed a great deal of cash to an organization tasked with growing the area's region. During a recent public meeting, city commissioners agreed to give the Greater Sandusky Partnership $900,000 in taxpayer funds. The partnership — a regional economic development organization that oversees the Erie County Economic Development Corp., the Erie County Chamber of Commerce and Destination Sandusky — will receive these funds in equal installments, of $300,000, over a three-year period. The first payment should occur in 2024. Officials expressed confidence in providing these local dollars due to the partnership's mission outlined in a city memo: "enhance the quality of life and economic vibrancy of the Sandusky region while positioning the region as the greatest destination on the Great Lakes for residents, employees and visitors." A year ago, city officials annually provided $150,000, in total, to the partnership and the corporation. And, for many years beforehand, city officials would financially support the corporation when it acted on its own — but nowhere close to this $900,000 figure. This recent agreement not only extends upon this collaboration but broadens what can be accomplished, officials said. The "Greater Sandusky Partnership's work will promote the city of Sandusky specifically through its Destination Sandusky affiliate with priorities, including direct special event programming; comprehensive city branding and marketing; merchant coordination; and placemaking," the memo read. Speaking up Those representing the city government, community development director Colleen Gilson, and the partnership, CEO Eric Wobser, spoke about this deal's significance. Gilson The basis: "The city is investing in the Greater Sandusky Partnership as its expression of support in the creation of a regional comprehensive vision for improving the quality of life and economic vibrancy for our residents and for attracting newcomers and visitors to the greatest destination on the Great Lakes." The backing: "The work the Greater Sandusky Partnership has undertaken to consolidate local organizations — the Erie County Economic Development Corp., the Erie County Chamber of Commerce and Destination Sandusky — will result in maximizing efficiencies in operations; consistency of missions; and attraction of resources to grow the impact of the organization. This consolidated grant with a three-year time of performance will allow the organizations the runway to continue their positive momentum." The money: "The three-year, $300,000-a-year grant will provide support to the organizations under the Greater Sandusky Partnership umbrella for operations and staffing. Further, the Greater Sandusky Partnership has committed at least 50% of the grant to support direct programming including special events; project and program implementation; and planning and advocacy efforts." The initiatives: "The city expects the Greater Sandusky Partnership to be the lead or a significant contributor organization on four bodies of work: • Destination Sandusky — special event/program management; brand/marketing; merchant services/retail; and placemaking • Housing production • Advocacy and planning • Regional economic development" The expectations: "The Greater Sandusky Partnership worked collaboratively and cooperatively with city staff to develop benchmarks and goals. Greater Sandusky Partnership staff will meet with city staff on a quarterly basis to review progress toward deliverables. The Greater Sandusky Partnership will make an annual presentation, at year's end, to city commission related to their work." Wobser The objective: "The city of Sandusky's support of the Greater Sandusky Partnership provides resources to support shared priorities included in the Greater Sandusky Partnership's mission of enhancing the quality of life and economic vibrancy of the community with the goal of positioning the region as the greatest destination on the Great Lakes for residents, employees, and visitors." The grant's necessity: "The Greater Sandusky Partnership is a responsible steward of public and private dollars, accomplishing this in part by entering into contracts for services with public partners that clearly define goals and methods for tracking success. Additionally, the Greater Sandusky Partnership's model leverages public dollars by combining those investments with private and philanthropic resources. For example, this partnership will build on the city's investment in free public programming by procuring sponsorship dollars that will increase the amount of programming made possible by the city's funds." The promise: "We are grateful for the partnership of the city commissioners and staff and will do all we can to reward their trust in the Greater Sandusky Partnership by delivering great services to the city and surrounding region."