Lake county, ohio | port authority

Shaping Lake County's Shoreline for Generations to Come

LDA leads the implementation of the Lake County Coastal Development Plan — a vision shaped by years of public input to create an accessible, economically vital, and locally relevant Lake Erie coastline.
View financing optionsGet in Touch

COASTAL OVERVIEW

What Is the Coastal Development Plan?

The Lake County Coastal Development Plan (CDP) is a long-term strategy for Lake County’s Lake Erie shoreline. Developed through years of public input, it outlines how LDA and its partners will balance economic growth, public access, tourism, and environmental stewardship along the coast.

LDA works closely with municipal and regional partners to bring the CDP to life — creating real estate opportunities for private investment and improving public access to Lake Erie.

“The overall goal is to produce a coastal perspective on a countywide shoreline strategy — devising a logical sequence of individual coastal projects resulting in an accessible, economically viable and locally relevant Lake County coastline.”

CDP GOALS

Seven Goals for Lake Erie's Future

Improve public access to the waterfront

Promote private sector investment & economic development

Enhance grant leverage through a regional approach

Create attractive port & coastal destinations

Improve boater access, safety & marine recreation

Environmental enhancement & ecosystem restoration

Lake Erie-related tourism development

FOCUS AREAS

Six Interconnected Focus Areas

The CDP addresses both the physical coastal environment and land use opportunities along Lake County’s Lake Erie shoreline.

Physical Coastal Environment

Wave climate, lake levels, bathymetry, longshore sediment transport, and shoreline recession analysis.

Ecosystem Restoration

Identifying shoreline restoration needs to preserve and enhance Lake Erie’s natural environment and biodiversity.

Marine Recreation

Boating safety, marina improvements, environmental education, and shoreline linkages for residents and visitors.

Coastal Infrastructure

Port facilities, public access points, and infrastructure improvements supporting long-term coastal development.

Tourism & Private Investment

Attracting Lake Erie-related tourism and private investment to revitalize Lake County’s coastal communities.

Municipal Coordination

Coordinating with municipalities, regional agencies, and state partners to align coastal projects with community priorities.

REAL ESTATE & INVESTMENT

Coastal Development Opportunities

LDA identifies and creates new real estate opportunities along Lake County’s Lake Erie shoreline for both private investment and community access.

Coastal Site Opportunities
LDA maintains information on available coastal and lakefront sites for private investment, marina development, hospitality, and mixed-use development along Lake Erie.
Foreign Trade Zone (FTZ)
A U.S. FTZ is legally outside Customs territory. Benefits include deferred or eliminated duties, reduced fees, weekly entry filing, and no import quotas — directly relevant to businesses near Lake Erie ports. LDA connects you with local Zone administrators.

Ready to Grow in Lake County?

Whether you're expanding your business, seeking tax-exempt financing, or looking for strategic connections, LDA is your single point of contact. Let’s turn your vision into economic opportunity.