Study Affirms Economic Benefits of Ohio Hub Plan
Passenger Rail Would Bring Jobs, Save Energy

Ohio citizens, policy makers and community leaders are debating how to address rising energy costs, global warming, and a loss of Ohio jobs. A solution that is often left out of the debate is the need for an investment in mass transportation. The Ohio Rail Development Commission has developed the Ohio Hub proposal, a proposal to construct a statewide passenger train system. The Ohio Hub, the Ohio and Lake Erie Regional Rail System, will not only provide transportation choice for Ohio, it will help to reduce greenhouse gases, improve air quality, create Ohio jobs and spur the economy. The Ohio Hub proposal is analyzing the feasibility of developing a passenger rail system which will serve over 22 million people in five states and southern Ontario. 

The seven corridors under consideration include: 

• Cleveland-Columbus-Dayton-Cincinnati
• Cleveland-Toledo-Detroit
• Cleveland-Pittsburgh
• Cleveland-Buffalo-Niagara Falls-Toronto
• Columbus-Pittsburgh
• Columbus-Toledo-Detroit
• Columbus-Lima-Ft. Wayne-Chicago.

Ohio has weighed the possibility of constructing an intercity rail system to move people and freight more efficiently between Ohio’s metropolitan areas for at least the last 10 years. While it will take a huge capital investment to build the Ohio Hub, the project will have real and measurable impacts to our economy and environment.

The Economic Impact Study on the Ohio Hub was completed in June 2007 and confirmed earlier estimates that the project will spur the economy and create Ohio jobs. 
Key findings of the study include:

• Create 16,700 permanent jobs which is equivalent to more than 500,000 person years of work
• Raise the region’s income by over $1 billion over the life of the project
• Generate more than $3 billion in development activity near stations
• Create an annual $80 million impact on state tourism by generating 320,000 overnight trips
• Create a potential benefit for freight operations in the range of $3 to $6 billion
• Generate an annual fuel savings of approximately 9.4 million gallons of fuel.

There are many steps that Ohio will need to take over the next decade to address global warming. Transportation produces one-third of all CO2 emissions in the United States. Investments in effective and affordable transportation are essential to reducing our contribution to global warming. By enhancing Ohio’s rail system we will begin to shift freight and intercity travel away from high energy intensive transportation modes. The next step for the Ohio Hub proposal is the first phase of the Environmental Impact Study, the completion of this phase will move the project closer to becoming a reality.

Source: Ohio Rail Development Commission,
The Ohio & Lake Erie Regional Rail Ohio Hub Study Executive Summary 7/07

ANNUAL REPORT
LCDC Supportive Programs

Participating in the entrepreneurial program sponsored by Lake Erie College. This program is designed to support and encourage entrepreneurship in Lake County. Bob Debevec and Ernie Brass serve on the committee.

Amigos at Work program presented to the trustees. Spanish words and phrases are taught to employers and employees to open communication between the races. Laura Freeman, Silvia Hoffmanbeck and Randy Horst are instrumental in the effort.
Participating in One for the Grape program. Ernie Brass chairs the committee to get involved in preservation of the grape growing industry.

A grant of $35,000 to the Soil and Water Conservation District for the purposes of evaluation of the economic impact of the grape industry and the importance of agriculture as a land use type compared to business and residences was facilitated by our Agri-business committee, Randy Horst, Bruce Herold and Silvia Hoffmanbeck, members.

Events
Legislative Breakfast in February. Nearly 300

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attendees, important countywide event to get to know the legislators and become familiar with the issues.

International Festival in March at Lakeland. 400 attendees, successful in promoting appreciation for other nationalities and ethnic groups.

Eighth Annual Economic Forum in October. 250 attendees, 33 sponsors, addressed the issues of the economy and alternative energy. Very well received and highly rated event.

Grants
Fiesta Latinas $200 - promotion of cultural diversity

Lakeland Foundation $500 - pruning for production of grapevines program

Mentor City Police $500 - replacement police dog

International Festival $1000 - support of the program

LCDC received $1000 grant from at&t - unrestricted

Membership
New for 2007 - ADAHMS Board, Catholic Charities of Lake County, Lake Effect