Business Attraction

WHERE BUSINESS MEETS OPPORTUNITY

Ottawa County, Ohio, connects you to markets, resources, and growth.

Production is just the beginning. The next step is ensuring your products reach your customers. When you bring your business to Ottawa County, you’ll gain access to major cities and Canada via road, air, and even water. Ottawa County is highly proactive in business attraction, leveraging its strategic location along Lake Erie, a vibrant tourism industry, and strong community partnerships to create unparalleled opportunities for businesses of all sizes.

IDEAL HUB FOR TRANSPORATION

Ottawa County boasts a comprehensive highway system spanning approximately 150 lane miles, offering direct connections to major east/west and north/south interstate corridors. A network of well-maintained state routes (2, 19, 51, 53, 105, 163, 269, and 590) serves as vital connectors for residents and businesses in rural areas.

Located centrally between major cities, Ottawa County is perfectly positioned for transportation, logistics, and business development.

Ottawa County Road Map | Ohio Map Tools

INVESTMENTS

Comfort & Convenience Meet Modern Design

A new Hampton Inn & Suites is scheduled to open in spring 2025 at the intersection of Ohio State Routes 163 and 53 in Port Clinton. The five-story hotel will feature 93 guest rooms designed with Hilton’s latest prototype, emphasizing waterfront views through an open-concept, two-story lobby with floor-to-ceiling windows and spacious gathering areas. Other amenities will include a large indoor pool with a waterfront outside patio, fire pit and canopy, and a large meeting room.

The project leveraged the Capital Lease Program through the Erie County Port Authority, reducing construction material costs. This initiative highlights the collaboration between Erie and Ottawa counties to support regional economic growth. The total private investment for the project is $12 million.

The hotel aims to enhance the local hospitality landscape, catering to the increasing number of visitors to the Shores and Islands area, which attracted 13 million tourists in 2023.

A Blend of Coastal Dining and Artistry

Beach Glass Lounge opened its doors in August 2024 at the 5800 block of East Harbor Road in Lakeside Marblehead, next to Ferguson Gallery. The restaurant features a surf-and-turf menu and striking glass artistry, including a wave chandelier with 200+ hand-blown pieces and an 11-by-15-foot glass sculpture above the bar. It seats 130 guests indoors and outdoors, offering a vibrant, artistic dining experience on it’s 6,000 property. Beach Glass Lounge not only enhances the local dining scene but also complements the hospitality industry by attracting both visitors and residents with its unique ambiance and high-quality culinary offerings. Spa Catawba was a recipient of OCIC’s Revolving Loan Fund with funding towards capital expenditures.

To commemorate its opening, a ribbon-cutting ceremony was held in October 2024, celebrating the restaurant’s contribution to the area’s tourism and dining landscape.

Strengthening Supply Chain and Job Creation

LogistiQ is recognized for delivering turnkey solutions, including strategic planning, design, manufacturing, installation, and service. The company announced in January 2021 that there new location at 5225 W. Lakeshore Dr., Building 460 in Port Clinton would meet its operational needs and support future expansion. The former World War II depot underwent extensive renovations, transforming it into a state-of-the-art production and office facility. The spacious facility was designed to accommodate all departments, including fabrication, machining, roller and pulley manufacturing, panel building, robotic and manual welding, an automated powder coating line, and assembly. The Guerra family invested $35 million towards this project. LogistiQ utilized an incentives package from JobsOhio with coordination from OCIC.

A ribbon cutting ceremony was held in December 2022 celebrating the completion of their comprehensive renovations.

A New Era of Wellness on Lake Erie’s Shores

Spa Catawba, established in August 2019, is a premier day spa located at 140 South Bridge Road in Marblehead. The spa offers a comprehensive range of services, including facials, massages, body treatments, and wellness therapies, all designed to promote relaxation and enhance overall well-being.

In early 2021, Spa Catawba expanded its operations by relocating from Port Clinton to a larger, 5,800-square-foot facility in Marblehead. Spa Catawba was a recipient of OCIC’s Revolving Loan Fund with funding towards capital expenditures.

A ribbon cutting was held in May 2021 to celebrate the new location in Marblehead.

New Hotel Elevates Local Hospitality

Fairfield Inn & Suites by Marriott opened in May 2019. The four-story hotel, located on Perry Street near the Ohio Route 2 exit, was constructed on the site of the former Travelodge. The hotel offers 86 rooms, with 46 providing scenic views of Lake Erie. Amenities include free breakfast, a heated indoor pool, a fitness center, and a patio area. The project was a $8 million investment. This project marked the first newly built hotel in Port Clinton in 19 years.

The project fell within Port Clinton’s Community Reinvestment Area (CRA), which provides tax incentives to property improvements or new construction, with assistance from OCIC to support development.

A groundbreaking ceremony took place in May 2018. The project was part of RAR Hospitality’s strategy to capitalize on the area’s tourism potential along the Lake Erie shore.

Hops, Heritage, and Economic Growth

Twin Oast Brewing opened its doors in May 2018 and embraces a “farm-to-fermenter” philosophy, utilizing homegrown fruits and other locally sourced ingredients to craft innovative beers. The brewery features a 15-barrel brewhouse and offers a selection of 17 beers on tap, complemented by a menu of elevated gastropub fare designed to pair with their brews. Twin Oast was a recipient of OCIC’s Revolving Loan Fund with funding towards capital expenditures.

Twin Oast Brewing has become a notable employer in the region. The brewery’s annual revenues are estimated between $10 million and $100 million, indicating its substantial economic footprint. Twin Oast has played a pivotal role in stimulating economic growth, preserving local heritage, and fostering community development in the Catawba Island area.

ACCESS TO FRESH WATER

Lake Erie is vital to northern Ohio’s economy, supporting industries such as power generation, aerospace, and manufacturing, with water serving as a key resource for cooling and production.

The lake’s vibrant tourism industry attracts millions of visitors annually, supporting local businesses and creating jobs. Ottawa County benefits from high-quality water, offering a competitive advantage for businesses.

The region’s economy is further strengthened by companies like Miller Boat Line and Jet Express, which enhance transportation to the Lake Erie Islands, boosting tourism and regional connectivity. Maintaining Lake Erie’s health is crucial for sustaining these economic benefits.

INNOVATION TAKES FLIGHT

Ottawa County is home to several airports and airstrips that cater to general aviation, regional flights, and specialized uses.

Ottawa County’s island airports play a vital role in connecting residents and visitors to the Lake Erie Islands. Put-in-Bay Airport on South Bass Island offers general aviation services with two runways (asphalt and turf), supporting private flights and seasonal air tours. Middle Bass Island Airport and North Bass Island Airport, each with a single turf runway, provide essential access for their respective communities, ensuring reliable transportation to these scenic and remote destinations.

As the largest airport between Cleveland and Toledo, the Erie-Ottawa International Airport is popular with all types of pilots. With its 5,000 ft./ 4,000 ft. crossing runways, the airport can accommodate virtually any type of aircraft from private planes to large business jets. Located in the heart of Ohio’s vacationland, the Erie-Ottawa International Airport is 3.5 miles east of Port Clinton, OH, and only minutes away from popular activities such as fishing, golf, amusement parks, wineries and the Lake Erie islands.

ADVANCED AIR MOBILITY

AAM is an innovative approach to transportation that leverages next-generation aircraft, such as drones and electric vertical takeoff and landing (eVTOL) vehicles, to move people and goods efficiently. The EOIA is a key player in advancing drone technology through its certification pilot program, developed in partnership with local organizations. This program promotes the use of drones for various applications and aligns with Advanced Air Mobility efforts, which focus on next-generation technologies to enhance the movement of people and cargo. EOIA’s commitment to innovation strengthens its role as a leader in both regional connectivity and technological advancement.

Operation Lollipop Drop took place on Friday, August 16, departing the Catawba Island State Park, across Lake Erie landing at the South Bass Island Lighthouse. From departure to the landing, the demonstration took 17 minutes and 17 seconds to complete.

The OCIC and EOIA spoke at XPONENTIAL 2024 about integrating Advanced Air Mobility (AAM) in Port Clinton, highlighting the city’s vision, Community ConOps, and and how these initiatives align with ongoing AAM efforts across the State of Ohio.

At the 2023 Ohio Air Mobility Symposium, Ottawa County partnered with All Azimuth Solutions to establish an agreement for developing a Concept of Operations aimed at integrating Advanced Air Mobility (AAM) vehicles within the county.

By incorporating cutting-edge technologies, AAM aims to improve logistics, reduce congestion, and create sustainable transportation solutions for both rural and urban areas.