Staff photos / Chris McBride Trumbull County Commissioner Denny Malloy, front, along with Mecca Township Trustees Dan Galbincea, back right, and Greg Chopko, sight-see and discuss economic development during a boat tour Friday on Mosquito Lake.

BAZETTA — A rare-as-of-late chilly Friday morning at Mosquito Lake’s Beach Pavilion saw local leaders, state officials and community members gather to discuss the lake’s untapped economic potential, the invasive hydrilla problem, and its rich history as a cornerstone of Trumbull County’s identity.

The event, hosted by the Trumbull County Tourism Bureau, highlighted the lake’s role as a catalyst for regional growth while addressing challenges that have long hindered development.

“Mosquito Lake is the gut of Trumbull County,” said Trumbull County Commissioner Denny Malloy, discussing the economic stakes. “We’ve got 1.6 million visitors a year, but they’re day-trippers. Their dollars leave with them. We need lodging, restaurants and infrastructure to keep those wallets here for days, not hours.”

The lake, Ohio’s second largest, supports 75,000 residents with drinking water and powers major industries, including the Lordstown Energy Center, which uses 2 million gallons daily, and the forthcoming Kimberly-Clark facility, expected to create hundreds of jobs.

Warren Utilities Director Franco Lucarelli highlighted the lake’s economic significance, noting that $25 million in upgrades to the Warren water filtration plant are underway to meet growing industrial and residential demand.

Yet, economic development faces hurdles, particularly in Mecca Township, where nearly a third of the land is owned by state or federal entities, limiting local revenue.

“We provide fire and rescue services for the lake, but not a penny comes back to us,” Mecca Township Trustee Christen Clemson said during a pontoon boat tour, pointing to the lack of infrastructure like public water and sewer systems. Trustees said residents in parts of Mecca still rely on contaminated well water, with some reporting oil slicks in their taps due to the area’s 19th-century oil industry.

The boat tour, led by Malloy and Mecca Township Trustees Dan Galbincea, Greg Chopko and Clemson, revealed some hurdles to economic development as Clemson discussed strengthening relationships with the Ohio Department of Natural Resources (ODNR) and the Army Corps of Engineers. Clemson said residents have strongly expressed a desire to preserve the natural beauty of the area with needed infrastructure to allow for future prosperity.

Invasive hydrilla, discovered in 2021, also threatens the lake’s recreational and economic viability.

Chopko, reflecting on the lake’s untapped potential, pointed to a missed opportunity.

“A bar and restaurant right next to the boat launch with the prettiest sunset in Trumbull County sold for just $260,000. That same view on Lake Erie would be $2.2 million,” he said.

He also stressed the need for infrastructure like public water and sewer to attract businesses, noting that the township’s comprehensive plan, updated for the first time in 32 years, revealed residents’ desire for a balance between preserving the lake’s natural beauty and fostering economic growth to provide local jobs and dining options.

Anthony Casey of Cleveland MetroParks warned that the hydrilla plant, which can grow up to 191 inches daily under ideal conditions, forms dense mats that clog waterways and alter water chemistry.

Recent efforts, including $300,000 from Trumbull County and $330,350 in state funding, have focused on containment, with robotic harvesters deployed to manage both hydrilla and native American lotus.

The lake’s history as a wildlife haven was another focal point.

Ron Ferenchak, assistant wildlife management supervisor, noted that the 9,000-acre Mosquito Creek Wildlife Area, established in 1946, attracts thousands of hunters annually, yet lacks nearby lodging to capture their spending.

“They come from all over Ohio and beyond, but there’s nowhere for them to stay,” he said.

Local leaders see a path forward through collaboration.

Ohio’s recent budget allocated $500,000 for lake improvements, thanks to advocacy from state legislators like Rep. Nick Santucci, D-Niles.

Bazetta Township Trustee Mike Hovis praised the teamwork among local, state and federal partners, calling the lake “part of our identity” where families create memories.

Beth Carmichael, executive director of the Trumbull County Tourism Bureau, urged attendees to envision Mosquito Lake as a premier destination. “We’ve got the space, the talent, and the drive,” she said. “Let’s make this a place where people stay, not just visit.”