William M. Grace, Mayor
City of Elyria, Ohio

William Grace was elected to the Office of Mayor in November 1999 and assumed such duties on December 6, 1999. Focusing on downtown and neighborhood revitalization, business development and Cascade Park improvement, Mayor Grace and his administrative team endeavor daily to make Elyria an exceptional place to live, work and raise a family.

Mayor Grace served three terms on Elyria City Council. He was first elected as third ward councilperson in 1989 and twice elected as an at-large member of council in 1993 and 1997.

After graduating from Elyria High School, the Mayor went on to Lorain County Community College. At LCCC, he earned his associate degree. He did further undergraduate study at the College of Urban Affairs, Cleveland State University.

Mayor Grace’s parents instilled in him at a young age that serving our community is an important responsibility. Some of Mayor Grace’s memberships and affiliations, past and present include:

• Kiwanis Club of Downtown Elyria, Board of Directors and President
• Leadership Lorain County
• Sacred Heart Church of Elyria, Member and Parish Council Member
• St. Jude Church of Elyria, Member
• United Way of Greater Lorain County, Account Executive and Board Member
• Ohio Public Works Commission, District 9, Board Member
• Main Street Elyria, Board Member
• Northeast Ohio Areawide Coordinating Agency, Governing Board Member and Assistant Secretary
• Lorain County Chamber of Commerce, Board Member
• Northeast Ohio Public Energy Council, Governing Board Member

Mayor Grace’s many years of providing community service, as well as his three terms on Elyria City Council, prepared him well to serve as mayor of Elyria. The Mayor has said that he is proud of many accomplishments during his first term. He is most proud of the many projects that have enhanced Elyria’s image and have fostered a greater sense of pride in Elyria. Some of the many community accomplishments during his first-term include:

• Elyria was awarded more grants in the last four years than the previous fifteen years combined; most significant was a six million dollar federal grant to construct the long awaited Industrial Parkway

• Elyria instituted Architectural Design Review that enables the community to require buildings to be built of a quality and character that are respectful of the people who patronize them and who call Elyria home.

• Mayor Grace negotiated a Joint Economic Development District agreement between Elyria and Elyria Township that will provide unprecedented economic opportunities for both communities.

• The Grace Administration has taken sound fiscal management actions. As a result, the city has maintained full employment of our safety forces at a time when most of our peer cities have been forced to make reductions.

• Constructed the East Falls Riverwalk, paid entirely with grant money, which provides access to our city’s most beautiful natural feature.

Mayor Grace enjoys weekend travel, golf, photography and spending time with family and friends. The Mayor also enjoys living in downtown Elyria on the square. It’s interesting to note that the Mayor now lives in the same place where he, while in high school, used to work at his brother’s sporting goods store.