Serving Lucas, Ottawa, Sandusky and Wood Counties
The village of Gibsonburg and the Sandusky County Economic Development Corporation (SCEDC) have announced the return of a local pharmacy at 241 W. Madison St.
The project was made possible through a partnership with local investor and pharmacy owner Kelsey Echelbarger, and it is supported by a $192,2000 Vibrant Communities Grant from JobsOhio and the Regional Growth Partnership (RGP), alongside a $50,000 small business grant from the village.
“This project has been nearly two years in the making, and it is a dream come true to see it moving forward,” Echelbarger said. “The success of this initiative is entirely due to the joint efforts of our team, including property owners Mike Warren and Rebecca Montgomery, as well as the tireless leadership of Marc Glotzbecker, Beth Hannam and Bill Burkett. We are not just dispensing medication. We are re-establishing Gibsonburg as a one-stop destination for our residents and ensuring that their healthcare needs are met right here at home.”
The Jobs Ohio Vibrant Communities Program was established to assist small and mid-sized cities with catalytic development projects that fulfill a market need and represent a significant reinvestment in the community.
The Madison Street project directly addresses the limited access to local pharmacy services following a closure in August 2024. For nearly two years, residents have been forced to travel up to 20 miles to neighboring cities for essential medications and healthcare services.
By reopening as the Gibsonburg Pharmacy, the site will once again provide a 5,974-square-foot facility dedicated to traditional medication dispensing, clinical pharmacy services and community wellness programs.
The project is also a key piece of a larger effort to strengthen the downtown corridor.
In addition to the pharmacy, the investment includes infrastructure improvements at 233 W. Madison St. to support the growth of existing tenants such as Countyline Co-op and Cabinetry, Countertops & More. These upgrades will ensure the continued success of the local grain elevator and allow for the expansion of small businesses that support local trades and agriculture.
“I want to thank everyone involved for making this opportunity possible. The road was long and challenging to get a pharmacy back in Gibsonburg, but we never gave up,” Gibsonburg mayor Steven Fought said. “This is a great thing for our village, our residents and our downtown. I am proud of the work everyone put in to make this happen. It’s a vital piece of our community and an essential piece for the good things to come to Gibsonburg in the future.”
Renovations are expected to be completed by the end of 2026, at which time the pharmacy will be fully licensed, staffed and ready for a grand opening.
“Quick and reliable access to health and wellness services is a vital component of a thriving community, big or small,” JobsOhio President and CEO J.P. Nauseef said. “Re-establishing a pharmacy in Gibsonburg improves quality of life for residents while adding momentum to downtown revitalization efforts, positioning the region to attract investment, create jobs and support long-term economic growth.”
The SCEDC is a non-profit organization dedicated to workforce development, business retention and expansion, and business recruitment for Sandusky County. Our mission is to enhance the economic well-being of all residents and businesses within the county.
Gibsonburg awarded $500,000 grant
In addition to the return of the pharmacy, Fought announced on June 17 that the village was also awarded a $500,000 grant for the Downtown Revitalization Project from the state’s capital budget.
“This is another big win for the village of Gibsonburg,” Fought said in a statement. “These funds will be used to further complete the infrastructure work as part of the overall downtown project.”
With the addition, the village has received a total of $1.5 million in grant money to complete the project. It started with $750,000 from ODOT, and another $250,000 from a federal funding bill spearheaded by Congresswoman Marcy Kaptur.
Fought said that there will be an announcement in the coming weeks about a kickoff event, which will be held in the Log Yard, where he will unveil the plan and renderings for what the downtown revitalization will look like starting next spring.
“These are exciting times for the village of Gibsonburg, and a lot of big things are on the horizon for us,” Fought said. “Progress never stops, and we are always moving forward.”
