CONNEAUT – Today, Congressman Dave Joyce (OH-14) toured Conneaut Harbor as the city embarks on an updated comprehensive plan for the community, funded by a $70,000 Ohio Department of Natural Resources (ODNR) Coastal Management Assistance Grant award. Dave met with Conneaut City Manager Jim Hockaday, Wally Dunn from the Conneaut Port Authority, Michael Joslin from the Conneaut Foundation, and Kathy Zapetello of the Chamber of Commerce, among others with the City of Conneaut.

“Not only is Conneaut one of the most scenic coastal communities in Northeast Ohio, the city’s international port is critical to the Great Lakes region’s economy,” said Dave. “Updating the current, outdated city plan is necessary to ensure Conneaut continues to put money back into the economy and I applaud the Ohio Department of Natural Resources for recognizing this need. I look forward to seeing the continued success from one of our district’s most beautiful harbor towns.”

Last year, after receiving a $70,000 Coastal Management Assistance Grant from ODNR, Conneaut City Council approved a new comprehensive plan for the city. Broken into three parts, the new plan replaces the current, outdated plan by defining a city profile, a specific vision for the future and an action plan to achieve these goals. This new plan will include elements of Smart Growth Principles, Ohio’s Balanced Growth Plan, and Ashtabula County’s Coastal Management Plan.

Dave is a fierce advocate for programs that aim to protect and preserve bodies of water in Northeast Ohio. As the Ranking Member of the House Appropriations Committee’s Subcommittee on Interior, Environment, and Related Agencies, Dave continues to lead the effort in Congress to ensure Lake Erie and its tributaries receive the investments necessary to protect them to the fullest extent. Dave has championed efforts to bolster funding for programs to promote sustainable water use, nutrient management and source water protection, which are key elements of Conneaut’s new city plan.