Outlook 2011: Tuscarawas County Commissioners see 2011 in a positive light
by Jennifer Kneuss
January 1, 2011
344
Tuscarawas County Commissioners Chris Aubihl, Kerry Metzger, and Jim Seldenright have a combined twenty-four years of experience between them in their roles at the helm of county government. During that time, they have seen plenty of highs as well as lows.
Everything goes in cycles, said Metger of recent economic difficulties. We are coming out of the cycle, although not as quickly as everyone had hoped. We are starting to hear a lot of good things from the private sector. Overall, it sounds as if businesses are beginning to rebound.
We are at 9.7 percent unemployment, which is below the state average, noted Aubihl, That is still too high, but if you look, Tuscarawas County has had the lowest unemployment rate compared to the counties around us, excluding Holmes.
I think the economy is certainly improving, added Metzger, Look at our sales tax revenue. We had originally anticipated last year in our budget sales tax revenue of about 8.75 million, and we are going to end the year out about $300,000 better than that. That tells me people are willing to start spending their dollars.
All three commissioners believe the addition of the Performing Arts Center at Tuscarawas Kent State will prove to be a huge boon to the community in 2011. It is a tremendous boost not only for us, but for the people we are drawing from outside the area. We want to be a destination place where people will attend an event and then stay the full weekend to visit other attractions. We are excited to see the results of them coming here, eating here, staying here, buying gas and spending their dollar here. It will be a tremendous boost for Tuscarawas County, commented Aubihl. Plus, the Center is serving more than just as a cultural place. It is another educational tool for Tuscarawas Kent State University as well, as they will extend their educational programs.
Commissioner Jim Seldenright also sees great potential as the biking and hiking trail way continues to expand into the county.
One of the things I am really looking forward to is the further development of the trails area. It now comes to the northern part of Tuscarawas County, and they are going to rebuild the aqueduct bridge to bring the trail down from Bolivar to the Fort Laurens area, and from Zoar to 800 and down to the white bridge near the end of Seven Mile Drive, stated Seldenright. This is going to help connect us to the Cleveland area and all that is going on there. It helps spur economic development and it is a good draw that helps to enhance our area to bring in business. It also ties right in with our nations emphasis on health improvement through outdoor recreation.
Commissioners also note the new north Dover I-77 exit, the addition of the American Gas Pump Heaven Museum in Dover, ongoing progress in razing the old ODOT
Building on New Philadelphias heavily traveled West High Avenue to make way for new businesses, and the technology park off of University Drive are all bright spots ahead for the county.
The leadership trio admits that uncertainties about state funding in the new year will play a part in what happens at the local level, but that they are well positioned for whatever may lie ahead.
We have tried to position Tuscarawas County to be in the position to benefit when the economy really does start to turn around. We are continuing to prepare, Metzger commented.
We have, and are continuing to be, trying to be proactive, rather than reactive, on our environment. We are fortunate that we are financially stable. We are not rich, but we are positioning ourselves to be in a good place, Aubihl added. We as commissioners are committed to doing our best, as we have done in the past, and to work together for the betterment of Tuscarawas County.
