Economy
- Wyandot County is composed of
small-town communities where you can get away from it all. But
its strategic location and excellent transportation network
also make it a place where businesses have quick and efficient
access to major markets and suppliers.
Located in north central Ohio along the Sandusky River, the
area's rich soil and temperate climate have attracted settlers
for hundreds of years. Today, the area is home to some of Ohio's
most productive farms, as well as growing numbers of
manufacturing, service and retail businesses.
Upper Sandusky, the county seat, is the center of commerce.
Major state and interstate highways efficiently connect the
city with the state's metropolitan centers. The Port of
Toledo, on Lake Erie, is only 65 miles away. Wyandot County
Airport is a general aviation airport with two, hard-surface
runways. Also within a 70-mile radius of Upper Sandusky are
the Findlay, Mansfield-Lahm, Toledo Express and Port Columbus
airports, which provide a range of passenger and freight
services. The county is served by two rail lines.
A
quiet city of safe, wide streets, many Upper Sandusky homes
and buildings are on the National Register of Historic Places, and the city itself is a National Arbor Day Foundation
"Tree City." As part of its ongoing commitment to
community improvement, the city is in the final phase of a
three-year, $2 million downtown streetscape project that has
included the burial of utility lines and the installation of
new sidewalks, planters and streetlights.
While most of the county's land is agricultural, the majority
of its workers — about a third of the workforce — are engaged in manufacturing,
making products ranging from
automotive parts to animal feed. The next largest employment
sector, about 17 percent, is trade, followed by the service
providers, 15 percent, then government, 10 percent. Rounding
out the job base are, respectively , agriculture, finance/real
estate/insurance, transportation/communications/public
utilities, and mining.
Thanks to the area's abundance of recreational facilities and
its reputation for warm hospitality, tourism supports many
area jobs. Upper Sandusky is becoming especially well known
for its gift shops and dining options: Almost 30 restaurants
cater to a diversity of tastes.
Employers and employees have access to technical and advanced
education offered at two and four-year private and public
colleges and universities located throughout north central Ohio.
Helping spur economic growth in Upper Sandusky and the
villages of Carey and Nevada is their designation as Ohio
Enterprise Zones. New businesses locating in the zones receive
significant tax abatements, usually for a 10-year period.
Qualifying commercial and industrial businesses in Upper
Sandusky can also receive low income loans through a special
state program. Local officials are happy to provide business
owners with details about these programs, as well as advice
about zoning regulations, available land and buildings, and other crucial information.
While resolved to maintaining its historic character, Upper
Sandusky is equally committed to providing residents with
modern, responsive public services. The Upper Sandusky Police
Department handles police protection in the city. Also based
in Upper Sandusky is the Wyandot County Sheriff's Department,
which patrols the entire county, runs the county jail and
administers the county's 911 system. The
Wyandot
County Emergency Medical Service responds to calls for
emergency medical care.
Fire protection in the
city is provided by the Upper Sandusky Fire Department.
Religion plays a major role in the lives of many residents,
and the area's many churches (20 in Upper Sandusky alone)
represent a variety of denominations. Churches throughout the
county sponsor a number of special events, as well as actively
participate in community-sponsored activities and initiatives.
Upper Sandusky's community spirit is also nurtured by almost
70 civic and charitable organizations, ranging from Lions,
Kiwanis and Rotary clubs to the local chapter of the American
Red Cross.
Whether you're a young family setting down roots or an
established business branching out, the Upper Sandusky area is
a growing environment. |