Toledo Port Postpones Renewal Levy: Could This Signal
ED Funding Problems Ahead in the Toledo Area?

Since the mid-1990's, the Toledo area has had a highly successful regional economic development effort. The Toledo Regional Growth Partnership (RGP) has worked hard to build new "collaborative advantage" for economic development acros the Northwest Ohio region. The Toledo-Lucas County Port Authority has been a major source of funding for RGP since its start. The Port Board voted yesterday to postpone its port renewal levy until 2004 because of major Port Board leadership changes and struggles, and larger surrounding problems, including the national economic downturn and the Iraqi War, which could hamper the levy's success. Originally, the Port had a plan to undertake the renewal levy ahead of time.

Could this signal funding difficulties for the RGP in the future? No doubt that question is on the mind of Toledo area economic development leaders.

"Two-thirds of the $2.3 million in annual levy money is used for economic development. The port authority and other groups that get a cut of the cash must first reshape economic-development efforts for a better sales pitch to voters," said Thomas Palmer, the Port Authority's new chairman.

Go here to read more.