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January 16, 2025

**Article written by Norwalk Ohio News on January 6, 2025

Huron County Growth Partnership looks to build upon the success it enjoyed in its inaugural year, and exceed the outcomes.

Last year, the Huron County Chamber of Commerce, Huron County Development Council (HCDC) and Norwalk Economic Development Corporation (NEDC) joined forces to form Huron County Growth Partnership, which is a non-profit, public-private partnership.
 
The creation of this unified economic development and chamber organization serving all of Huron County was the result of discussions involving the boards of directors for the chamber, HCDC and NEDC, which began in earnest in November 2023. The three organizations had a combined 178 years of experience (116 for the chamber, 41 for HCDC and 21 for NEDC).
 
The official establishment of Huron County Growth Partnership (HCGP) set the foundation for the next 100-plus years and prepared for “an impactful future of public-private partnership,” according to its leadership.
 

Heading into this year, HCGP has 310 members and counting.

Its six full-time employees are Executive Director Sarah Ross, Chamber Director Kevin Rasnick, Economic Development Coordinator Kayla Cross, Marketing and Community Outreach Coordinator Andrea Welfle, Land Bank Coordinator Judy Lykins, and Administrative Assistant Emily Baker. RISE Coordinator Cydney Salmons is a full-time resource shared with Greater Sandusky Partnership.
In addition, 23 prominent members of the local business community sit on HCGP’s board of directors.

HCGP’s business development accomplishments last year included $3,206,615 leveraged and more than 980 jobs retained.

Its business growth services included 36 professional development workshops, 60 entrepreneurs advised, 1,368 attendees at HCGP events, 315 students and teachers impacted.
 
HCGP also contributed to workforce success stories such as Persys Engineering, Lakeside Book Company, CW Mechanical and Oglesby Construction, and led numerous ribbon-cutting ceremonies, including those for The Link, Stuck Tattoo Gallery, Wild & Free Coffee Co., La Mixteca Tienda Mexicana, Perfect Platez, Iconic Dance Company, the Norwalk Theatre marquee, Norwalk’s amphitheater, Goodwill Industries, Fisher-Titus Family Medicine – Wakeman, and Mercy Health – Greenwich Primary Care.
 
HCGP’s staff said the commitment and engagement of the business and community leaders, regardless of circumstances, was a surprise.
 
“Although we have always felt this, with an abundance of unknowns, uncertainty and changing climates in national and international politics and business, our local businesses and leaders remain committed, engaged and involved,” they said. “Whether donating time to help craft the city’s comprehensive plan, going out of their way to welcome a new business in town, or even giving input and expertise for our committees and projects, there are many people invested and committed to our area’s success. We love working with them every day.”

Keeping up with the demand proved to be the year’s biggest challenge.

“This community has big goals and is eager for professional support to accomplish them — whether that be business attraction efforts, placemaking and event planning, housing development, or simple continuing education,” the staff said. “A unified organization representing economic development, chamber of commerce, and tourism is asked to do a lot. As our communities’ needs and dreams continue to grow, we’re working to grow with them so we can lend that professional support.”
 
Welfle and Baker were added to the staff to assist, but HCGP still had to make hard decisions when prioritizing its work.
 
The staff members said they are thankful for the volunteer and member support that allowed them to exceed expectations in HCGP’s inaugural year.
 
“We’re already receiving phone calls from chambers of commerce and local economic development organizations from all over the state to ask how we accomplished everything we did last year in bringing this partnership together,” the staff noted.
Staff members also shared things they learned in 2024.
 
“HCGP has taught me that people invite you to the table for a reason and to not take that opportunity for granted,” Cross said, adding she also learned how to be a better communicator, and “lots and lots of economic development best practices.”
 
“Each community in Huron County has many unique sets of challenges and unique hidden gems. But also the communities share so many challenges and would like their hidden gems to be shared throughout the county,” Rasnick said.
 
“Trust the process,” Ross said.
 
“This year has taught me how to be a more effective communicator and that you should feel empowered to have a voice, whether it’s on a committee/board or within your own organization,’ Baker said.
 

“My lesson was more of a personal one. I learned that although I am very enthusiastic about growing our community and expanding on things to do in the area, I cannot be everything to everyone all the time and need to delegate when possible and set clear boundaries to ensure a healthy work-life balance,” Welfle said.

Looking ahead to this year, the staff discussed goals.

“We have exciting plans for 2025, including a full event calendar that members and partners will love. Our goal for our members is that they take advantage of as many of those events, professional development opportunities, and member benefits as possible.”

HCGP’s goals include completing the organization’s first strategic plan. “This will add color and detail to exactly what a public-private partnership can accomplish for our businesses and communities that our previous non-profits could not, and what kind of business and community partnership that will require,” the staff said.

Ensuring businesses and local stakeholders know when and what to call HCGP for is another goal of 2025. This will be accomplished through various means, including a new, updated website.

A third goal is beating last year’s outcomes — increased membership, attendees, benefits, jobs created, jobs retained, projects won, funds leveraged, and so forth.

“The purpose of the partnership — and our long-term goal — is to leverage funds beyond individual corporate or civic projects, but more aligned with broader community priorities for greater impact,” the staff members said.
 
“We do nothing alone,” they added. “Everything HCGP accomplishes is done in partnership — whether it be with the City of Norwalk, non-profits, other communities in Huron County, private businesses, and many others. We’re working to align the visions for growth that all of these partners have, and then accomplishing goals together with them.”