What is it: Visitors to the Port Clinton/Catawba Island Township area will have a new lodging option come spring 2025.
A new Hampton Inn & Suites is under construction at the corner of State Route 163 and State Route 53. The building, with a new design by Hilton, will have five stories with 93 guest rooms, along with a large indoor pool, waterfront patio, fire pit, large meeting room for events, fitness room, and waterfront lobby.
How it came to be: Kelsey Lodging LLC, the developer of the project, is using the Capital Lease Program through the
Erie County Port Authority to “provide savings on the costs associated with purchasing construction materials, as long as those materials are purchased in Ohio,” according to a July 19 press release from
Greater Sandusky Partnership.
The Erie County Port Authority, administered by the Greater Sandusky Partnership, was created in 2011 by the Erie County Commissioners to spur economic development, according to the release.
“Greater Sandusky Partnership successfully assisted us to participate in the Capital Lease Program,” says Greg Kelsey of Kelsey Lodging, LLC. “Nico [Samaniego, GSP’s director of economic development] made the process easy, and we appreciated the attention to urgency to make our deadline for the project.”
Why is the project important: The construction project is significant because it will bring new business and jobs to the area, says Erie County Commissioner Pat Shenigo via the press release.
“We are excited to work for the first time with Ottawa County on another successful partnership and look forward to more opportunities in the future,” notes Shenigo.
Ottawa County Commission President Don Douglas noted the importance of incentives and regional collaboration, reinforcing that they are “important components to remaining competitive on a state and national level.”
“This agreement and the partnership allow us to do just that while ensuring we continue to expand upon our unique and diverse economy here in Ottawa County,” Douglas says via the release. “Pairing programs like this that generate employment and foster long-term economic growth is a recipe for success.”
How to get involved: The Erie County Port Authority Capital Lease Program can be used for projects across Erie and Ottawa counties, and in other counties, pending agreements with county commissioners. To determine if a project is eligible, contact the Greater Sandusky Partnership.