Ohio areas prepare for economic benefits from the solar eclipse

Editor's note: This story originally published in the Northwest Ohio Total Solar Eclipse special section that published in the March 2-3 Weekender. With the total solar eclipse due to cast a wide shadow over Ohio, local cities stand to gain from an influx of visitors. On April 8, a rare total solar eclipse is due to pass over Ohio and other parts of North America. Agencies representing business and tourism in Huron, Ottawa, Erie and Sandusky counties discussed the economic impact the eclipse could bring the area. Huron County On Monday, April 8, Huron County will be in the center line or path of totality of the total solar eclipse. The community is now preparing for this event and the visitors it will likely bring as well as the economic impact it brings along with it. "There was a county in Kentucky that experienced this in 2017. They estimated that their economic impact money coming into the area was just under $30 million." said Kevin Rasnick, the Huron County Chamber of Commerce's executive director. "Can we promise that's going to be that impact more or less? We don't know. But that's what we've seen from similar-sized communities who dealt with this." Rasnick said his organization is expecting a large turnout and hopes to plan events to celebrate the eclipse once the date approaches. "Certainly, area hotels, bed and breakfasts and campgrounds — if not already booked — will be booked before then," Rasnick said. "Which hopefully means our local businesses, restaurants,and gas stations should see a huge influx of people coming to their locations." Planners estimate that counties along the path of totality should expect an influx of three times the county population. In Huron County, specifically, officials estimate 150,000 visitors. Going off estimates of between 50,000 and 200,000 visitors entering Huron County, Rasnick's agency believes eclipse tourists can contribute to an economic impact of anywhere between $1.5 million and $50 million, depending on the amount of visitors and their expenses. That estimate is for visitors only spending the day in Huron County, so the figures could rise if people come in advance or stay after the eclipse. These estimates are also weather-dependent. Sarah Ross, executive director for Huron County Growth Partnership, said she is urging residents to have a plan set in place for the day of the eclipse. "Be sure to have eye safety gear," Ross said. "Shop for groceries and gas prior to eclipse weekend. Similarly, local businesses should start planning early. Focus on the community in addition to eclipse tourists. Finalize your hours and online presence related to the eclipse. Consult with eclipse and safety experts to prepare for the unknown." They also noted that local businesses should plan early and close that day or shorten hours if they are unable to keep up with demand. Internet and cell reception may be limited due to the influx of visitors, so locals and small businesses should plan accordingly. For more information or questions visit norwalkeclipse2024.com. Ottawa County The Ottawa County area will also experience a total solar eclipse, lasting for about 3 minutes and 30 seconds. "It isn't every day you are in the path of totality of a solar eclipse, so we are very excited about this unique event and the opportunity it presents to showcase our region to the entire country," said Chris Singerling, executive director for the Ottawa County Improvement Corp. The county is expecting a large turnout, especially since it occurs on a Monday, and is asking that residents prepare for an influx of people. "When you couple our geography along the lake with the fact that Ohio is within a nine-hour drive of 60% of the U.S. population, you must plan accordingly, and our region has done just that," Singerling said. "In conjunction with Shores & Islands Ohio, the Greater Sandusky Partnership, our local chambers of commerces and businesses, we are coordinating, collaborating and marketing the region to attract people for more than just the eclipse." In terms of economic impact, the county is expecting a large influx of tourists which will benefit local accommodations and businesses. "Economically speaking, our hotels, restaurants, shops and other attractions are planning (and hoping) for a nice early season bump to get 2024 off to a great start," Singerling said. "The fact that it is happening on a Monday also helps to encourage longer distance travelers to make a weekend out of it." For more information about the eclipse in Ottawa County, visit co.ottawa.oh.us/511/Solar-Eclipse-Resources. Erie County The Erie County area is expecting a large turnout for the eclipse as well with officials preparing for accommodations, restaurants and other activities to be packed that weekend. "We feel our area is poised to be one of the most visited in the (eclipse) path due to our proximity to millions of people within a short drive, relatively unobstructed views, location on the lake, and breadth of other area activities available," said Ben Simon, director of marketing and sales for the Shores & Islands Ohio tourism bureau. Due to its geographic positioning, Erie County will have an unobstructed view of the eclipse lasting for approximately 4 minutes, which is one of the longest duration in the region. Simon said his agency has no way of knowing the true number of people who will attend. Whatever the figure is, it will largely depend on weather conditions, he said. A recent survey from Destination Cleveland found that nearly 30% of a representative sample of American travelers are likely to travel 50+ miles to experience the eclipse. "In order to mitigate excessive crowding, we are encouraging local communities to extend their programming beyond the actual April 8 date and our messaging to the visitor is, much like the state of Ohio's, to come early and stay late so as not to cause bottlenecks, traffic issues, etc.," Simon said. Shores & Islands is periodically checking on lodging availability and will continue to do so weekly until the event. Data from several towns that were in the path of totality for the 2017 total solar eclipse showed hotel occupancy increases of up to 150% over the same dates in 2016 and huge increases in revenue per available room. Vacation rentals, bed and breakfasts along with campgrounds were also showing strong increases. "We expect our region to be no different with much higher occupancy and rates than a typical April weekend," Simon said. "As of mid-January, there was still plenty of availability and average pricing at the larger area resorts (Kalahari Resorts, Great Wolf, Sawmill Creek). Many other area hotels reported limited rooms available and highe-rthan-average prices. Some hotels are already reporting as full." For more information about the eclipse in Erie County, visit shoresandislands.com/solar-eclipse. Sandusky County Sandusky County is also preparing residents and businesses for the eclipse with an expected large number of visitors as well. Kyleigh Lash, communications and project administrator for the Sandusky County Economic Development Corp., said that while there's much to speculate over in terms of visitors, her agency is using data from the partial solar eclipse that passed over Ohio in 2017 as a measuring stick, of sorts. They're also in the process of setting up places for people to stop and watch the eclipse. "Last time I checked, we have about 17 different public viewing points set up and almost 30 locations for lodging or camping," Lash said. The Sandusky County Visitors Bureau is also planning over 15 different events for that weekend and the day of. "We expect about 118,000 people coming into the county, which is over double our population," Lash said. "We are also working with local businesses to make sure they are prepared and have supplies, fuel, or stock their shelves ahead of time." Lash noted as well that they are encouraging people to come early and stay late, which would further impact the amount of economic activity in the county. "The visitor's bureau has really been on top of encouraging people to book hotels and campsites early," Lash said. "We're not expecting things to be full yet, but people have already booked their stays, but as of right now we are not full." The county is unsure of the overall economic impact but is preparing for a large crowd with a higher level of money coming in. "We don't have exact numbers for the county, but for the state, it looks like visitors are going to bring an additional $100 million," Lash said. "That revenue is going to directly impact local businesses and benefit the county for a long time." For more information about the eclipse in Sandusky County, visit sanduskycounty.org/eclipse.