By JAN LARSON McLAUGHLIN
BG Independent News
Wood County emerged from the Covid pandemic last year with record high sales tax revenues, record low unemployment, robust economic development, and a solid bond rating.
On Wednesday, the county commissioners shared the county’s success story during the annual State of the County Address, hosted by the Bowling Green Chamber of Commerce.
While Wood County suffered the same issues seen in other regions with supply chain delays, material shortages and hiring difficulties, it entered 2023 with a $50.2 million budget – 5% more than the previous year.
“Our continued conservative approach to budgeting” allowed for that growth, Commissioner Craig LaHote said.
Also helping with the recovery from Covid was the record $28.5 million in sales tax revenue, representing an 8% increase from the year before. LaHote thanked local residents for doing their part by shopping in Wood County.
“That goes a long way to supporting county government,” he said.
Meanwhile, the county saw nearly $1 billion in private economic development investments – bringing 800 new jobs to the county.
LaHote congratulated Bowling Green for attracting Abbott Laboratories’ $500 million plant, promising 450 jobs.
“The City of Bowling Green landed the biggest project of the year,” he said.
LaHote listed off some of the biggest projects announced in 2022:
- First Solar broke ground on an approximately 1.5 million square foot research and development facility in Perrysburg Township. The $270 million investment is expected to be the first of its scale in the U.S.
- Abbott Laboratories construction in Bowling Green will begin this year, with plans to be fully operational in 2027.
- IMCO Carbide Tool began a $39 million expansion project in Perrysburg Township that will result in 92 jobs.
- Scannell Properties constructed two industrial buildings in Rossford, with the first housing a UPS operation.
- UPS purchased a building near the CSX intermodal facility in Henry Township, bringing approximately 600 jobs.
- FedEx Ground is working on a distribution center in Woodbridge Business Park in Bowling Green.
At the same time, Wood County is seeing record low unemployment, dipping to 2.6%.
LaHote applauded the work of the Wood County Economic Development Commission and the Wood County Port Authority.
“We are very optimistic about the future of Wood County, he said.
LaHote also spoke of county government projects, including the $28 million jail expansion that is underway and expected to be completed in September of 2024. When finished, the jail capacity will be approximately 300 beds, with more overall housing for females and additional maximum security housing for males. The project also includes the expansion of the booking and medical areas of the jail.
Commissioner Doris Herringshaw spoke about the $25.4 million in American Rescue Plan Act funding dispersed by the county. The commissioners selected projects that would benefit large numbers of county residents, she said, including:
- $8.7 million for the water and sewer project on Ohio 582 to Dunbridge, requested by the Northwestern Water & Sewer District.
- $700,000 for water and sewer lines to the Mercer Road, Sugar Ridge area, also requested by the Northwestern Water & Sewer District.
- $1 million to identify and replace lead water lines throughout the county, requested by the Northwestern Water & Sewer District.
- $800,000 to the Cocoon Shelter for personnel costs.
- $437,500 for stormwater issues on Lime City Road, requested by the Wood County Engineer.
- $530,000 for stormwater issues on East Broadway Road, also requested by the Wood County Engineer.
- $1 million for elevated water storage and water lines in Pemberville.
- $1 million for water lines in North Baltimore.
- $400,000 for Habitat for Humanity of Wood County for personnel and program costs.
- $450,000 for the Wood County Health Department building expansion.
- $394,673 for a stormwater study requested by the Wood County Engineer.
- $3 million for expansion of the Wood County Landfill.
- $4.3 million for air handling systems in the county buildings.
- $2.3 million to Wood County Sheriff’s Office for CAD dispatching improvements to services for 42 police, fire and EMS agencies.
- $275,000 for premium pay for sheriff’s office and jail staff.
“We are excited to see all the improvements,” Herringshaw said.
Commissioner Ted Bowlus talked about the planned expansion of the Wood County Landfill. The expansion will provide an estimated 100 more years of landfill space on land purchased decades ago by the county in expectation of the need.
Based on current tonnage rates, the remaining capacity of the current landfill cell is about 2.5 years.
The first phase of the expansion will occur on acreage to the north of the existing landfill space. It is expected the expansion will be completed in 2024.
“We are really glad to move forward with this project,” Bowlus said.
The county’s residential recyclable drop-off sites collected 703 tons in 2023, a slight increase from the year before.
“Wood County people want to recycle,” Bowlus said.
Roads and bridges continued to be a priority last year, Bowlus said, with more than 107 miles of roadway being resurfaced or getting surface treatment through the county engineer’s office.
Plans for this year include resurfacing sections of Liberty Hi Road, Mermill Road and Luckey Road.
Three bridges were replaced last year, including one on Long Judson Road in Plain and Washington townships, one on Cloverdale Road in Bloom Township, and one on Fostoria Road in Northwood.
Wood County Engineer John Musteric’s office also completed construction of a roundabout at Napoleon Road and Campbell Hill Road, and performed ditch cleanings throughout the county.
(Other stories covering the State of the County Address will follow.)
