Counties collaborate on hotel project

Editor's note: The estimated investment of this hotel totals $12 million. PORT CLINTON — A new Hampton Inn & Suites is being constructed in the Port Clinton/Catawba Island area at the corner of Ohio 163 and NE Catawba Road (Ohio 53.) The new hotel is scheduled to open in the spring of 2025. Kelsey Lodging, the developers of the project, are utilizing a tool through the Erie County Port Authority to save on construction costs. The hotel will be five stories and offer 93 guest rooms with a new design by Hilton. Guests can also expect a large indoor pool, a waterfront patio, a fire pit, a large meeting room for events, a state-of-the-art fitness room and a waterfront lobby. Making sense of the dollars and cents In total, the project's total private investment cost totals about $12 million. The project is using the capital lease program through the Erie County Port Authority that will provide savings on the costs associated with purchasing construction materials so long as those materials are purchased in Ohio. The port authority, administered by the Greater Sandusky Partnership, was created in 2011 by the Erie County commissioners to spur economic development. "It's great to see yet another project Erie County's port authority is helping to deliver a new business and jobs to our area," Erie County commissioner Pat Shenigo said. "We are excited to work for the first time with Ottawa County on another successful partnership and look forward to more opportunities in the future." This marks the first time a project took advantage of the port authority's capital lease program. "Thanks to the collaboration between the Ottawa County commissioners, the Ottawa County Improvement Corp., the Greater Sandusky Partnership and the Erie County Port Authority board, the project was eligible for the program and take advantage of the savings," partnership CEO Eric Wobser said. Incentives and regional collaboration "are important components to remaining competitive on a state and national level," Ottawa County commissioner Don Douglas said. "This agreement and the partnership allow us to do just that while ensuring we continue to expand upon our unique and diverse economy here in Ottawa County," Douglas added. "Pairing programs like this that generate employment and foster long-term economic growth is a recipe for success." The port authority's capital lease program can be used for projects across Erie County, Ottawa County and in other counties as well pending agreements with county commissioners. People can contact the partnership, greatersandusky.com, to determine project eligibility. "Being able to extend the benefits of the capital lease program regionally is a tremendous advantage for our communities," "Being able to extend the benefits of the capital lease program regionally is a tremendous advantage for our communities," said Nico Samaniego, the partnership's economic development director. "We're excited to see the positive impact this project will have and look forward to future opportunities to enhance regional development," Samaniego said. "We'd like to thank our great partners Chris Singerling from (Ottawa County's improvement corporation), Greg Kelsey at Kelsey Lodging and the Ottawa County commissioners for their partnership on this project." Added Kelsey of Kelsey Lodging: The "Greater Sandusky Partnership successfully assisted us to participate in the capital lease program. Nico made the process easy, and we appreciated the attention to urgency to make our deadline for the project." Bio blast Here's some insight into the Greater Sandusky Partnership provided by the organization: The Greater Sandusky Partnership is the result of the integration of the Erie County Economic Development Corp. and Erie County Chamber of Commerce. As a comprehensive economic development organization led by businesses in the Sandusky Bay region, the partnership's mission is to enhance the quality of life and economic vibrancy of the region through a blend of business retention and expansion, workforce development, entrepreneurship support, place-based initiatives and advocacy work.