Despite the challenges of 2020, the state of Ottawa County is strong and is poised to rebound after the coronavirus pandemic ends. That is according to the Ottawa County Administrator during the annual State of the County Address.
“2020 was a very difficult year for everyone," Ottawa County Administrator Al Vanderberg said during the address. "Ottawa County experienced Lake Michigan shoreline erosion, COVID-19, flooding in areas of the County that never experienced it before, and fallout from the death of George Floyd.”
Still Vanderberg said, that even in the midst of that adversity, Ottawa County remains strong in 2021 thanks in part to a determined county staff that Vanderberg says worked tirelessly throughout the year.
“Ottawa County services continued during the pandemic and Ottawa County employees and the Ottawa County organization proved to be very resilient throughout and I am very proud of both.
Vanderberg said one key metric to show Ottawa’s stability is that the county leads the state in population growth, while still maintaining a low unemployment rate.
Other areas of strength included the county’s strong financial position, the preservation of farmland amidst the residential growth, and a year in review of the new Diversity, Equity and Inclusion office.