Hall shares county’s vision at chamber banquet

Communicating with the public is something Holmes County’s commissioners are consistently trying to do, and what better way than to take advantage of a captive audience to share the comings and goings of the county?

Holmes County Commissioner Dave Hall got to do just that during the recent Holmes County Chamber Banquet on Nov. 14 in Berlin, where he spoke about where the county government has come and where it hopes to move going forward into the coming year in front of a packed house of chamber businesspeople.

Hall said he and fellow Commissioners Joe Miller and newly appointed Eric Strouse were honored to be able to share the ideals and entrepreneurship of Holmes County with the many businesses and organizations that have partnered with the commissioners and local government over the past year.

Hall expressed his thanks to the chamber staff for its willingness to partner with the commissioners over the past year to achieve some great things, especially in promoting Holmes County as a destination spot all over Ohio and beyond.

“I’m extremely happy to say that the county is in an extremely great financial position,” Hall said.

He said most of the revenue for the county’s general fund comes from a 1% state sales tax that has been bolstered by successful business growth over the past many years.

“That 1% generates more than $13 million annually, which the county then turns into some great programs,” Hall said.

Hall said those funds are largely the result of the success of the many businesses in attendance at the banquet that have made Holmes County a successful tourist destination.

He said funds from the past couple years have allowed the county to invest nearly $14 million in creating a better quality of infrastructure throughout the county, including wastewater projects where Holmes County has partnered with various entities to secure additional grant funding to support the improvement projects.

Hall said recent wastewater improvement projects included work in Glenmont, Walnut Creek, Winesburg and Nashville, among others.

“These are quality partnerships that we could not do without the support of the chamber,” Hall said.

Hall also said the ongoing celebration of Holmes County’s bicentennial is another joyful celebration of community.

“I was talking to our governor recently, and he even mentioned all of the great things he’s heard from Holmes County recently,” Hall said.

Another area of improvement has been the renewal of the entire county’s tornado warning siren system, which needed revamping with many of them faltering due to age and use.

He said there are many other areas where these tax dollars have benefited the county in positive ways.

As for the future, the commissioner said the continuation of making the county’s roadways among the best in Ohio will remain a focal point, singling out county engineer Chris Young and his staff for doing a wonderful job of moving that project forward.

One defining building project the county was recently able to complete was the Holmes County Health District building in Millersburg, which now provides a state-of-the-art facility that will enhance that department’s capabilities to serve the people of Holmes County.

Hall said the project included excellent work from one of the chamber’s award winners for the evening, Tekton Engineering.

“That building was built with no debt, which is hard to do,” Hall said. “Because of all of you and the economy we have generated here in Holmes County, we are able to be fiscally responsible to the dollars you send back to us.”

One other big financial boost to the local economy was the securing of nearly $10 million in Appalachian Grant funds from the state, and Hall said Holmes County could be in line to collect even more funding in the near future, with one pending project being the improvement of the Holmes County Airport, where he said updates to the terminal and hangars are needed.

Other areas Hall said they are focusing on is working closely with state legislators to continue to improve state roadways, improve lanes for buggies and bicycles with additional bike lanes, and create opportunities to make Holmes County an even better place to live and work.

Finally, Hall paid tribute to former Commissioner Ray Eyler, who retired this year due to health issues. Hall said Eyler has served this county faithfully in so many ways and has set a tremendous example for all to follow.

Hall said he stopped by to chat with Eyler recently and talked about Eyler’s more than 40 years of service to the county in a variety of ways.

“Ray said it was an honor to serve (Holmes County),” Hall said. “He’s in good spirits. Ray has meant a lot to us and the county and said thank you to all for allowing him to serve as commissioner.”