CFA looks to continue message building
AUSTINBURG TOWNSHIP — The Ashtabula County Convention Facilities Authority met Friday morning and continued to discuss how to proceed with the organization's role in county economic development.
Authority members discussed recent presentations with interested parties in Conneaut, Andover, Orwell and Jefferson regarding projects that could spur economic growth around the county. The organization receives a portion of bed tax revenue collected in the county.
CFA President Holly Mayernick said she was disappointed with the attendance at the four meetings. CFA member Lara Reibold said some people in the southern part of the county thought the meeting was for elected leaders only, which affected attendance.
The meetings were intended to share information from a study related to needs for lodging in different parts of the county. Mayernick asked members what should be the next step.
Former Geneva City Manager James Pearson, a CFA member, suggested trying to gather a leadership team from each of the four communities to come to the next meeting.
Other board members suggested inviting potential investors and economic development agencies from the county as well.
'We definitely want to talk about what our next step is,' Mayernick said.
Nathan Hessler, an attorney and advisor to the authority, said it is important to get the message out to as many people as possible so investors and business leaders know what the authority has to offer.
Hessler agreed with the idea of a combined meeting of economic development officials and leadership teams representing the various areas.
Pearson said he would be willing to help facilitate the creation of leadership teams from each of the areas.
'Each of the communities need their cheerleaders,' Ashtabula County Commissioner Casey Kozlowski said.
CFA member Meeghan Humphrey said she believes it is important to qualify in detail what the authority is and is not able to do.
Authority members talked about a website, which could detail ways they can help a development project.
Hessler said one way the authority can help projects is through ancillary assistance such as sidewalks or other infrastructure, which could lower the cost of a project.
Kozlowski reported it appears state Senate Bill 43, which would eliminate the portion bed tax that goes to the CFA, is not active, but he is monitoring potential opportunities for it to be placed in the state budget bill.
'I think we are in good shape,' he said after thanking all the local people who contacted state legislators about the bill.
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