Economic Recovery and Resiliency Plan

In 2023, the City of Avon Lake secured a $75,000 grant from the Economic Development Agency (EDA) to fund the creation of an Economic Recovery and Resiliency Plan (ERRP). The plan was developed to proactively address economic disruptions — most notably the closure of the Avon Lake Power Plant — and to position the city for future success through sustainable and resilient development strategies. The ERRP will serve as a strategic roadmap to guide Avon Lake’s growth, investment, and long-term economic stability in the face of evolving challenges and opportunities.

A draft version of the ERRP is available for public review through December 19, 2025. 

Quick Links 

Background  |  ERRP Summary  |  Questions & Feedback 

Background

In 2024, the City selected Kleinfelder, Inc. to be its planning partner, following an RFP process. A ERRP Project Team of seven members was assembled: two members of City Council, two members of the Avon Lake Business community, one member of Planning Commission, one member of the Avon Lake Community Improvement Corporation (CIC), and one mayoral selection.

The ERRP Project Team used a four-phase approach during a six-month process that combined research, review of existing planning documents and strategies, community stakeholder and public input, land use, zoning and resilient development principles, and economic development best practices to deliver a final ERRP document.

  • Phase 1 — Discovery 
  • Phase 2 — Collaboration/Visioning 
  • Phase 3 — Plan Development
  • Phase 4 — Plan Adoption/Implementation

Phase 1 included the gathering of information to develop a shared understanding of the community, including a review of existing planning strategies and planning documents. In addition to the region’s EDA-approved Northeast Ohio Areawide Coordinating Agency (NOACA) Comprehensive Economic Development Strategy (CEDS), Avon Lake’s Comprehensive Plan, West End Plan, Lorain County Economic Development Plan, and TeamNEO’s Core Strategies were all reviewed and relevant elements were inventoried.

Phase 2 provided opportunities for informed conversations about existing conditions and building a community vision for future development and redevelopment at the former power plant site. Key stakeholders were identified by the ERRP Project Team, and a SWOT-style meeting was hosted by the City. To further gain further public input, a survey was created and promoted to Avon Lake residents, youth, employees, business leaders, and community organizations.

Phase 3 included the assembly of the components of the Strategic Economic Recovery Strategy and drilled down into specific implementation steps and funding strategies.

ERRP Summary

The ERRP includes an in-depth analysis of Avon Lake’s economy and outlines six broad recommendations. Below is a brief summary of those recommendations. For the full report, please use the links provided at the top of this page. 

Recommendation #1: Establish a Business Retention & Expansion (BR&E) Program

  1. Develop BR&E Program
  2. Create Avon Lake Business Resources Guide
  3. Establish Community Improvement Corporation (CIC) Revolving Loan Fund
  4. Establish Business Roundtable 

Recommendation #2: Develop the Community Improvement Corporation (CIC)

  1. CIC adopt the ER&R Plan
  2. Create Site & Building Database
  3. Execute Avon Lake / CIC Marketing Agent Agreement
  4. Create Economic Development Incentives Policy
  5. Establish Operating Budget for CIC

Recommendation #3: Implement Business Attraction & Marketing Strategy

  1. Design brand for marketing the City
  2. Define target industries based on economic strengths
  3. Identify an organized rhythm of outreach

Recommendation #4: Redevelopment of the Power Plant Site

  1. Consider Multiple Economic Development Tools that Generate Funds
  2. Prioritize Public Lakefront Access and mixed-use development

Recommendation #5: Integrate Environmental Sustainability Practices

  1. Green infrastructure and stormwater best practices
  2. Encourage LEED certification and energy efficient building design
  3. Restore native ecosystems

Recommendation #6: A Comprehensive Infrastructure Plan

  1. Inventory and evaluate roads, water/sewer lines, and utilities
  2. Identify priority upgrades to support focus areas / redevelopment sites
  3. Coordinate funding strategies

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