UPDATE: In response to your efforts, the amendment has changed. While language in the final amendment is not as specific, it still lacks transparency in its process, and any variation is unacceptable without further discussions at the local level.

Businesses and community members from the shores and islands region, please consider signing this petition to urge Erie County Officials and Senator Theresa Gavarone to withdraw support for amendment SC 0197 to the senate budget. This amendment will inhibit the growth of our region’s economy and prosperity of our local businesses. We represent the businesses that help drive our region’s tourism economy and generate significant tax revenue and savings for our communities.

Amendment SC 0197 seeks to redirect lodging tax revenue that for decades has been utilized by the Erie and Ottawa County Visitors Bureaus to promote the region and help grow our significant tourism economy. 

Erie County government officials recently hired a private lobbyist to advocate for a change in Ohio law that would allow certain counties, including Erie and Ottawa, to redirect up to two-thirds of their lodging tax collections away from convention and visitors bureaus like Shores & Islands Ohio. This proposal is not only troubling in its content but deeply concerning in its process: there has been no public dialogue, no stakeholder engagement, and no explanation provided to the businesses that generate the lodging tax through the guests they serve. 

Tourism contributes to increased economic activity in the region. In fact, Erie County collects 60% more in sales tax compared to other counties of its size because of tourism. Additionally, tourism enables our region to enjoy high levels of public service at lower sales and income tax rates for local residents than would be the case without a strong tourism economy. Based on recent data, tourism saves each household in Erie County $5,158 in state and local taxes annually, and $1,682 in Ottawa County.  

According to a study conducted by Hotel & Leisure Advisors, Kalahari Resorts generates, directly and indirectly, almost $2 million in sales tax annually and has generated over $30 million in local lodging taxes over the past decade. 

Additionally, the City of Sandusky's revenue directly generated from tourism grewfrom $3 million in 2014 to over $12 million in 2024. This revenue has supported safety forces and facilities, rebuilt neighborhood parks, dramatically increased local road resurfacing, and will support the construction of a new recreation center. 

Learn more about the impact of Tourism in Ohio
Learn more about the impact of Tourism in Erie and Ottawa County 

Let’s do what we’ve always done best when we've worked together - build a stronger, more prosperous region. But let’s do it the right way: openly, collaboratively, and with the shared goal of sustaining and growing our extraordinary tourism economy. One that lifts every corner of Erie and Ottawa County, attracts valuable regional and state partnerships, and maintains competitive local tax rates made possible in large part by revenue and economic activity generated by tourism.   

By signing this petition, you are supporting the continued growth of our region and its business community. 

Read more at Sandusky Register: Officials debate over bed tax dollars