H&LA was pleased to work with Ashtabula County on a market demand study for proposed lodging opportunities throughout the county. Our study analyzed various markets across the county and identified potential lodging options from a small B&B to a resort hotel. We presented our findings and recommendations to the county and had the opportunity to hear feedback to incorporate in our final analysis.

Published by: Star Beacon/Warren Dillaway
Published date: December 2024

JEFFERSON — Members of the Ashtabula County Convention Facilities Authority heard a preliminary recommendation from a consultant working on lodging needs in Ashtabula County during a meeting Thursday morning.

The report included recommendations for potential lodging opportunities in four areas of the county where there are fewer options, Hotel and Leisure Advisors President David J. Sangree said.

Sangree identified 10 different types of lodging, ranging from a resort hotel to a bed and breakfast. The CFA hired the company to provide recommendations after doing research on the options available for the Conneaut, Andover, Orwell/Morgan/Rome and Jefferson areas.

He said the recommendations are to provide ideas on lodging options that may have not been considered prior to the study. Sangree said the national occupancy rate for lodging is 63%.

Sangree said higher-end options are often key to providing opportunities for new travelers to come to an area. He said the Lodge at Geneva-on-the-Lake has done extremely well, and the study’s purpose is to find options that will not compete with the lodge, but meet other needs.

“New travel comes because of new lodging,” Sangree said.

The Conneaut area is ripe for new lodging options, he said.

Sangree said the group conducting the survey indicates a hotel focusing on spa and wellness would be a good addition to the area, with 70-room hotel near the downtown area. A hotel near the Interstate 90 interchange would also be a good idea, he said.

Sangree said the recommendations are meant to provide investors and local communities the understanding of possibilities.

“This is all very speculative,” he said.

The possibility of a 125-room lodge at Pymatuning State Park was also recommended. Sangree suggested the possibility of another, higher end, “nationally-branded” campground.

Linda Profant, a CFA member from Orwell Township, suggested a bigger focus on winter activities in the proposed plan for the lodge.

“There are a lot of people who enjoy winter sports,” she said.

Sangree said he did not believe the Jefferson area had a market for a full hotel, but suggested a possible campground resort, multiple bed and breakfasts and perhaps a small, 30-40 room hotel.

Research into the Orwell area market also indicated there was not a need for a large hotel, but suggested the development of a farm-themed lodging property. Sangree said it would likely need to be a family business that would provide a farm experience for folks from more urban areas.

Members of the committee suggested ideas to add to the plan.

Profant suggested options for hunters.

“They don’t want to clean and they don’t want to cook,” she said.

Ashtabula County Commissioner Kathryn Whittington suggested there be enough meeting space for new venues to host fishing and hunting conferences.

Several committee members said new restaurants are needed in the Andover area.

“Currently, [that] area is so limited for dining,” Commissioner J.P. Ducro said.

Commissioner Casey Kozlowski said, “They need a shot in the arm down there.”

Sangree said he will take suggestions from the CFA, and have a final report within a week or two.

Several CFA members said they would like to see a presentation like Thursday’s for a larger group of people who were involved in the process.

Sangree said his company would be glad to present to a larger group, but it would be at an extra cost.

The CFA is scheduled to meet again today at the Riverbend Hotel.

CFA Attorney Nathan Hessler said the process is about at the “50-yard line.” He said he hopes the work will be the first step in “pushing the snow down the mountain,” regarding potential growth of the whole region.