The latest indication of how quickly and universally Great Lakes communities are realizing that water is one strategic key to the region's 21st century prosperity comes from Lake County, Ohio, where a local commission has unveiled a $77 million plan to revitalize the Lake Erie shoreline.
"I think, finally, Ohio is catching on that its greatest resource is the lakefront and Lake Erie," said U.S. Representative Steven LaTourette from Concord Township. "We were embarrassed by Wisconsin and Chicago. But now we see it's a potential millions of dollars in economic impact and dramatic increase in the quality of life."
So local officials have a plan to cleanup the lakefront, attract new residents and businesses, and transform their economy for the Digital Age. So does Muskegon, MI, Racine, WI, Cleveland, OH, Gary, IN, and countless others. Now they need the money to execute it. So does Muskegon, MI, Racine, WI, Cleveland, OH, Gary IN, and countless others.
Meanwhile, the $20 billion Great Lakes restoration plan struggles to rise as a top priority for state and federal officials.
