Seneca County Collaborative launches

TIFFIN — Three Seneca County organizations focused on economic development, tourism and downtown revitalization have officially restructured into a single coordinated framework known as the Seneca County Collaborative. The announcement was shared Tuesday during the "Writing the Next Chapter" event, where more than 70 volunteers, board members and community partners attended. According to a release provided by the Seneca Regional Chamber of Commerce, the new structure brings together the Seneca Regional Chamber & Development, Destination Seneca County and Downtown Tiffin "as one unified team with shared leadership, systems, and strategy." The goal is to align overlapping efforts and improve long-term sustainability. "This is not just a name change. It is a full alignment of services, people, and purpose," said Chip VanDette, board chair of the Tiffin-Seneca Economic Partnership, in the release. "By working together as one, the Seneca County Collaborative can open doors to new possibilities, support our businesses and communities more effectively, and build something truly sustainable for the future of Seneca County." The restructuring follows more than a year of planning and coordination between the Chamber and the Tiffin-Seneca Economic Partnership. Bryce Riggs, who had been leading all three legacy divisions, was formally named president and CEO of the Collaborative in April. While some updates are already underway, full operational integration is set to begin Jan. 1, 2026. At that point, the organization will transition to a unified board of directors, with three advisory groups focused on specific areas: the Seneca Regional Chamber & Development Board, the Seneca County Tourism Board and the Downtown Development Board. "This new structure allows the organization to serve our community more strategically and more sustainably," said Ashley Helmstetter, board chair of the Seneca Regional Chamber of Commerce, in the release. "We are still supporting the same mission, but now we are doing it with greater clarity, coordination, and impact as one connected team." Each division within the Collaborative will retain its focus: • Destination Seneca County will continue promoting the region through tourism, marketing, events and partnerships. • Seneca Regional Chamber & Development will support business growth, workforce development and investment attraction. • Downtown Tiffin will lead revitalization in the city center through small business support, preservation and engagement. A new website will serve as the central hub for all divisions, at oneseneca.org.