A new regional economic development plan that will serve as a roadmap for regional collaboration and investment is available for public comment.
Toledo Metropolitan Area Council of Governments (TMACOG) convened partners and stakeholders from across the Lake Erie West region to create a Comprehensive Economic Development Strategy (CEDS) that covers Lucas, Ottawa, Sandusky, Seneca, and Wood counties.
The CEDS is a locally driven planning process that helps regions identify economic strengths, weaknesses, opportunities, and threats. When complete, the document will guide regional growth over the next five years by focusing on strategic goals that expand and diversify the economy, enhance workforce development and retention, address housing affordability and access, improve infrastructure and connectivity, and strengthen quality of life, regional identity, and community resilience.
Community input is vital to ensure the strategy reflects the needs of the region. The public is invited to review the draft and submit feedback through November 24.
All feedback provided during the comment period will be considered in the final version of the CEDS, which will be submitted to the U.S. Economic Development Administration.
Submit your comments to Marissa Bechstein, program manager, economic development, at bechstein@tmacog.org or 419-820-4506.
Conservation tours show success in Ottawa County
Water quality staff and advisory group members had a firsthand look at innovative projects that are protecting natural resources in Ottawa County.
TMACOG’s Western Lake Erie Basin Water Quality Advisory Group participated in a conservation site tour of the new visitors’ center at Magee Marsh and two sites suggested by Ottawa Soil and Water Conservation District as examples of best practices in nutrient management.
The first stop was Hemminger Marsh in Oak Harbor, one of the county’s earliest Agriculture Runoff Treatment System (ARTS) projects. These engineered systems like constructed wetlands, sediment basins, and ponds slow down water and allow sediment to settle and nutrients to absorb before reaching the Toussaint River and Lake Erie.
The second site, Tice Wetland, is a new 90-acre wetland also in Oak Harbor. Previously farmland, the site was enrolled in the Lake Erie Conservation Reserve Enhancement Program (CREP) and supported by multiple funding sources including a 319 grant from Ohio EPA, 816 funds from the Ohio Department of Natural Resources, and the Partners for Fish and Wildlife Program. Construction began in July and is ongoing.
Both sites highlight the success of public-private partnerships, with private landowners working alongside the Ottawa Soil and Water Conservation District to implement conservation practices. The tour allowed advisory group members to view collaborative efforts in action and reinforced the region’s commitment to protecting Lake Erie’s water quality.
Students dive into water quality science
Each fall, hundreds of students across the region step out of the classroom and into local waterways to explore the science of water quality through TMACOG’s Student Watershed Watch. Now in its 36th year, this hands-on program equips teachers with the tools and training they need to guide students in testing water samples from nearby streams, ditches, and rivers, inspiring them to connect classroom learning with real-world environmental experiences.
The program is provided at no cost for all participating schools, ensuring that every student can build scientific skills and learn about their local environment. Students test for key indicators such as dissolved oxygen, nutrients, chlorides, and other pollutants that affect aquatic ecosystems. These tests help students understand how contaminants can impact wildlife and water quality, and why protecting these resources is essential for the health of our watershed.
Next month, students will come together at the Toledo Zoo for the annual Student Watershed Watch Summit to share their findings, present their data, and meet professionals who work in environmental science and manage natural resources. The summit is a celebration of their work and a chance to experience the full scientific process, from fieldwork to data analysis to peer presentation.
This longstanding regional initiative receives essential support from the Lucas County Engineer’s Office, GM, the City of Toledo, The Mannik & Smith Group, Inc., The Nature Conservancy, the Toledo Zoo, and The Andersons.
Complete ODOT’s Access Ohio survey
Complete a survey before December 1 to add your comments to Ohio’s new long-range transportation plan.
Access Ohio 2050 is a multimodal plan developed by the Ohio Department of Transportation to guide policies, inform investment decisions, and improve Ohio’s transportation system. The plan includes 11 draft strategies aligned with four key goals: Safety, Preservation, Efficiency, and Mobility. These strategies are broad, directional statements that will lead to more detailed action items in the future.
Where do you begin when you want to open the doors of a new commercial space?
AIA Toledo, a chapter of the American Institute of Architects, will offer Open Doors: A Guide to Opening a Commercial Space from 11:30 a.m.-1 p.m. Thursday, November 13 in the Grand Lobby of the Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Plaza in Toledo.
This event is designed to educate business development professionals about the process of planning a commercial space. Through storytelling, case studies and a practical guidebook, members of AIA Toledo aim to help business development professionals understand the complexities of the process and help entrepreneurs avoid costly pitfalls and open their doors with confidence and clarity.
Lunch will be provided. Each attendee must register individually.
Toledo-Lucas County Health Department and Grant Writing USA will offer a two-day grant writing workshop in Toledo on December 16-17.
This class will teach how to write winning government grant proposals and find available funding. The workshop is designed for all disciplines, including beginning and experienced grant writers from city, county, and state agencies, schools and colleges, and nonprofits.
Registration is $495 and includes a workbook, two days of instruction, and additional resources. Group discounts are available.
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