Dear Elyrian,

It gives me great pleasure to report that Elyria is making important progress.  Many companies have either located new facilities in Elyria or substantially expanded their existing Elyria operations.  These business expansions have led to Elyria’s unemployment rate declining in each of the last four years.

Due to the changing national economy and the resulting job losses, too many of our neighbors have yet to find the type of jobs that offer the pay and benefits their previous employers provided.  While the economy in Elyria is improving, we must continue to increase employment opportunities.  That is why we partnered with Elyria Township and created the most comprehensive Joint Economic Development District in Ohio.  We also completed the long-awaited Bullocks Parkway, which has made hundreds of acres of land available for business development. 

While efforts like these will have an important impact on Elyria’s future prosperity, the most important is to build a new Elyria High School.  Thriving and safe communities are known for having an exemplary public school system.  Elyria City Schools has made meaningful progress in recent years and were recently rated by the State of Ohio as being “Academically Effective”, just one level below the top ranking of “Excellent”.  We now have a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to make it even better.  Elyria voters are being offered a chance to build a new high school with 40 percent of the cost being funded by the state of Ohio.  By voting yes May 8th, we as a community can do our part to secure this generous state grant.  Doing so will provide the single most meaningful investment in our community and it will boost our economy for years to come.

Healthcare is another important component of northeast Ohio’s economy and Elyria is benefiting from many important investments.  EMH Regional Medical Center continues to expand services at their main campus in central Elyria.  Community Health Partners is preparing a substantial expansion at their Elyria campus, and the Cleveland Clinic will soon break ground on a 40,000 sq. ft. medical office building at Chestnut Commons.

We’ve also launched several important neighborhood revitalization initiatives.  The most significant is a new residential subdivision called New Riverbend Homes.  The first phase of the development includes 60 new single family homes and was completed at the end of 2006.  The next phase will include one hundred new homes and a new city park along the Black River complete with a walking path that will provide views of our most beautiful natural asset.  This new residential subdivision in southwest Elyria represents the largest infill housing investment in our city’s history.

Make no mistake, Elyria is moving in the right direction.  I couldn’t be more proud of Elyria’s accomplishments these last seven years.  I thank you for the opportunity you’ve given me to serve our city and I respectfully ask for your support this election so together we can continue working to make Elyria an exceptional city.

Sincerely,

William M. Grace

Mayor, City of Elyria