Greater Sandusky Partnership says Erie and Ottawa counties rank third in the nation for job growth

The Greater Sandusky Partnership announced Aug. 12 that the Sandusky metropolitan area ranks third nationally for job growth. The area is Erie and Ottawa counties, and the partnership says both are leading Ohio and the Midwest in year-over-year employment expansion.

The announcement, as posted, gives the ranking but not the underlying figures or the period measured, so we are treating it as the partnership’s claim until we can see the data.

Who is behind the numbers

The Greater Sandusky Partnership is the combined chamber of commerce and economic development group for the region. It brings together the Erie County Chamber of Commerce, the Huron Chamber of Commerce and the Erie County Economic Development Corporation.

Employers the partnership has pointed to in its regional work include Aligned Data, which is building on the former New Departure site in Sandusky; American Colors, which has expanded its Sandusky headquarters; and LogistiQ/LEWCO at the Lake Erie Business Park in Ottawa County.

A caution from the federal data

Fast growth from a tourism-heavy base is not the same as higher pay. Federal wage data released in July shows Sandusky-area wages still trail the national average.