TSEP Hosts Successful 2023 Annual Meeting

TSEP Hosts Successful Annual Meeting

On March 2, 2023, the Tiffin-Seneca Economic Partnership held their annual meeting at Camden Falls in front of a sold-out crowd. The organization celebrated its 40th year in existence since originally starting in 1983 as the Seneca Industrial and Economic Development Corporation

Major Announcements

President & CEO Aaron Montz announced during the meeting that the Tiffin-Seneca Metro Area again ranked in the top 10% of micropolitan's nation-wide for large economic development projects once again. More than $71 million of private investment occurred in Seneca County last year and more than 225 new jobs were created, bringing the running five-year total to $398 million and 1,900 jobs.

Themes Going Forward

Montz also said the theme for him and the team in 2023 and beyond is to work smarter and not harder while always remaining humble. Special thanks were given to those assisting TSEP such as RGP, JobsOhio, the Tiffin City Schools, the City of Tiffin, Seneca County, and Fostoria Economic Development. The entire team at TSEP preached collaboration is key to continued success in Seneca County and none of them are out there seeking credit.

Other Highlights

Few know that TSEP also serves as the administrative agent for the Sandusky-Seneca-City of Tiffin Port Authority. Operations manager Corrina Haynes updated the group that the Port Authority plans to replace more than 21,000 railroad ties in the coming year as part of ongoing maintenance. Development Coordinator Adam Gillmor stated the organization has a renewed focus on rural development and he has been spending an extensive amount of time in both township and village meetings to assist with economic projects out in the county. Downtown Manager Donna Gross reported that 10 new businesses opened downtown with several more in the works for 2023.

Housing Continues to be a Struggle

While most all the news of the night was extremely positive, one cloud cast over the success of Seneca County was what Montz called a "housing crisis". New home permits have fallen from an average of just under 200 per year in the late 90's to well under 30 per year today. In fact, more homes have been removed than added in the last decade. We keep hearing everyone in Seneca County is trying to hire and new housing for people to move to Seneca County would go a long way towards solving that problem. Montz and the TSEP staff assured us that housing has been and will remain one of their top priorities for the next several years.

Awards

TSEP handed out 4 awards this year.

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