The state of Delaware County is strong and growing, its three commissioners said during their annual presentation to the public Tuesday morning at the new Fairgrounds Agricultural Center.

Board of Commissioners Chairperson Barb Lewis began by saying that the state of the county is strong and the reason for that is the partnerships that have been formed between local governments, organizations and individuals.

“Throughout the pandemic, we’ve worked hard to stay connected, to strengthen and grow our community partnerships,” Lewis said, “because we know that together we are stronger.”

“We have so much to celebrate here in Delaware County,” Commissioner Jeff Benton said, “and it starts with the partnerships we have with each other.”

“The leadership of your county-elected township administrators, city and village officials, and each of you has made our continued progress possible,” said Commissioner Gary Merrell.

Each commissioner outlined their areas of interest, emphasizing partnerships and asking leaders to stand up and be recognized with applause. For Lewis, it was the social network that helped people avoid deportation and transformed lives with graduation from the special roles of the justice system. For Merrell, it is the buildings, infrastructure, public services and business parks that will ensure the prosperity of growing cantons like Berlin and Orange. For Benton, it was the revitalized fairgrounds and local transportation services such as Delaware Municipal Airport and Delaware County Transit.

According to the numbers, Delaware is still the fastest growing county in Ohio. The population grew by 23% from 2010 to 2020, and the total population was 214,124 in the 2020 U.S. Census. Of this population, 55.5% of adults have a bachelor’s degree or higher; 39.2 years is the median age; and at 23%, the largest population group is Generation Z, born between 1999 and 2016.

Due to the growth, there was a 23% increase in residency permits; an 11.5% increase in business permits; and a 27% increase in sewer hookups, the county said in a handout given to guests during the presentation.

Infrastructure investments are underway, with $80 million planned for regional sewer capital projects in 2022-23. Two new sewer pumping stations were completed in 2021. Road construction projects worth $35 million are also planned for this year.

The county’s general fund budget for 2022 is $128.8 million, with $76.8 million received in sales tax revenue in 2021. There was a 15.5% increase in tax revenue sales from 2020 to 2021, the county said.

County Administrator Tracie Davies served as emcee for the hour-long event, and brief promotional films touting the county were shown between each commissioner. County communications staff said about 200 movers from the county and beyond attended the event, which has been held for the past two years at the Columbus Zoo and Aquarium in Powell.

Gary Budzak can be reached at 740-413-0906 or on Twitter @GaryBudzak.