Avon Lake City Council repeals Job Growth Incentive Program
07/15/2026 – Avon Lake, Ohio – At its July 13, 2026, meeting, Avon Lake City Council members voted to repeal the city’s long-running Job Growth Incentive Program (JGIP) to pave the way for new economic development programming. Established in 2012, the JGIP provided an automatic award to Avon Lake-based businesses that achieved year-over-year income tax payment increases. The decision to repeal the JGIP follows the city’s adoption of an Economic Recovery and Resiliency Plan (ERRP) in 2025.
“For 14 years the Job Growth Incentive Program served as the city’s way of showing appreciation for its growing businesses, but the time has come to explore new, more targeted business incentive programs that better align with the economic development objectives outlined in our ERRP,” said Avon Lake Community Development Director Ted Esborn. “Redirecting JGIP funds to incentive programs that provide greater fiscal predictability and increased flexibility in supporting attraction and retention will ultimately pay greater dividends for our new and existing businesses, and the Avon Lake community as a whole.”
In 2023, the City of Avon Lake secured a $75,000 grant from the Economic Development Agency (EDA) to fund the creation of an Economic Recovery and Resiliency Plan. The plan was developed to proactively address economic disruptions — most notably the closure of the Avon Lake Power Plant — and to position the city for future success through sustainable and resilient development strategies. The ERRP will serve as a strategic roadmap to guide Avon Lake’s growth, investment, and long-term economic stability in the face of evolving challenges and opportunities.
The Avon Lake ERRP is available online at https://www.avonlake.org/economic-development/economic-recovery-and-resiliency-plan.
About the City of Avon Lake
Our mission is to foster a safe and connected community where families thrive, the small-town character of our lakeside community is preserved, and all residents enjoy excellent city services that enhance their quality of life. For more information, visit us online at avonlake.org.
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