"The Toledo Regional Chamber of Commerce commends the region's elected officials for coming together to take this critical first step in forming a regional water authority that will benefit the businesses and residents of the region for generations to come. We are optimistic that TAWA will be an example for other collaborative efforts within the region."
Gramza further stated that "the Chamber remains committed to working with these communities and the new authority to be an example of what can be achieved when we work together in the best interest of the region."
Water is the most important long-term economic development issue we face as a region. Therefore, the Chamber offered to identify and fund an independent facilitator, with industry expertise, to help the region's elected officials develop the framework for a new regional water authority. This recent effort built on more than 20 years of discussions between officials in the City of Toledo and suburban communities.
TAWA will be able to optimize new water infrastructure development, and finance that infrastructure on favorable terms - potentially saving millions of dollars. A regional Authority can provide long-term water service at lower costs
than are possible with local governments developing their own separate utility systems.
It is expected that the following jurisdictions will be represented on the new TAWA Board: City of Toledo, City of Sylvania, City of Maumee, City of Perrysburg, Lucas County, Monroe County (MI), Fulton County, Village of Whitehouse, and the Northwestern Water & Sewer District.
