State grant to bolster local industry

SANDUSKY — The Firelands Tourism, Hospitality and Main Street Business Industry Sector Partnership recently received $92,000 through Ohio's Industry Sector Partnership Grant, marking the only grant in the state focused on the tourism and hospitality sector. This funding, provided by Ohio's Office of Workforce Transformation, will support strategic initiatives to strengthen the region's tourism, hospitality and Main Street business industries while building a sustainable workforce pipeline. In 2023, tourism and hospitality represented a $3 billion industry in the region, employing more than 14,000 people annually, according to data released by Shores & Islands Ohio. "We believe that these investments will help us continue to support and grow this industry while building a pipeline for students, creating pathways to retain and attract talent," said David White, the partnership's talent and leadership director. The funding is part of Ohio Gov. Mike DeWine's broader workforce initiative, which awarded $5.1 million to 35 industry sector partnerships across Ohio to enhance collaboration between businesses, education providers and communities. "This funding will have a specific focus on the tourism and hospitality industry, but we will continue to build pipelines for young people across multiple industries," White said. "While Erie County's population has remained flat since 2018, the population of those under 25 years of age has declined by 7.6%," he added. "This means it is critically important to develop pathways for our students into local jobs. By providing talent with opportunities to gain expertise and experience, we are making an effort to keep our talent." The 3 target areas The Greater Sandusky Partnership, a regional chamber, will help support and deliver the implementation of the funding to advance three key initiatives: 1. Expanding hospitality education The Ottawa County Improvement Corp. is piloting a tourism and hospitality industry-recognized credential at the Ottawa County Workforce Hub for Career Advancement as a way to build interest and entry-level skills for the tourism and hospitality industry, which is a major economic driver in the region. "The hospitality and tourism industry is a vital part of our local economy," said Katherine Adams, the hub's workforce innovation director. "Supporting our growing local businesses by providing a certified, trained and ready workforce is integral to giving residents and visitors alike a top-notch experience," Adams said. "This funding plays an essential role in lifting up this first-of-its-kind program in the state. The funds will allow students to learn in real time event planning, hotel/lodging management and retail operations. More importantly, we are excited to work collaboratively with our regional partners to bring this program to other schools in our area." 2. Registered apprenticeship programs The grant allows for establishing up to five registered apprenticeship programs in partnership with the National Restaurant Association, offering training for careers such as someone seeking to become a line cook, kitchen manager, restaurant manager, hotel cook, maintenance engineer or lodging manager. As one participant in delivering a registered apprenticeship program, those with the Sandusky-area Kalahari Resorts & Conventions expressed enthusiasm for the grant award. "At Kalahari Resorts, we believe in investing in our team's growth and development," said Brian Shanle, the local Kalahari's general manager. "This program not only enhances the skills of our workforce but also strengthens our commitment to delivering exceptional experiences to our guests," Shanel said. "We look forward to collaborating with the National Restaurant Association and the Greater Sandusky Partnership to build a brighter future for our industry." 3. Supporting Main Street and small business This will also allow for the creation of a dedicated hub to provide small businesses with mentorship, training and resources, ensuring they have the tools needed to adapt and thrive in an evolving market.