Quality of Life in Portage County
Desirable location, a strong network of
public schools, utilities and services, and a wide variety of cultural
and recreational activities all contribute to an exceptional quality of
life for Portage County residents.
 With close proximity to the Cleveland and
Akron/Canton metropolitan areas, Portage County residents have access to
a wealth of cultural activity - museums, professional and amateur
sporting events and countless other organizations and activities.
Some
of these include the Cleveland Indians, the Cleveland Browns and
Cleveland Cavaliers, the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame, the Cleveland
Symphony Orchestra, Cedar Point Amusement Park in Sandusky, Inventure
Place in Akron and the Professional Football Hall of Fame in Canton.
For the aesthetically inclined, The Kent
State University Museum holds a large collection of fashion and
decorative arts; several special events are sponsored there throughout
the year.
"Portage County is not a large county,
but it is close enough to larger cities (such as Akron or Cleveland) to
take advantage of their shopping and attractions," said
Garrettsville/Hiram Area Chamber of Commerce President Rick Patrick.
 But the county boasts its share of
cultural happenings as well. The Portage County Historical Society
offers tours, displays, lectures and its own research library, while the
popular Portage County Randolph Fair draws hundreds of thousands of
visitors who enjoy the food, rides, exhibits and animals each summer.
Eleven public golf courses, three state parks and many community parks
and private campgrounds provide ample recreational opportunity.
In
Aurora, Geauga Lake Park has gained international
fame, offering a plethora of rides, activities and fun for the whole
family.
 The Aurora
Premium Outlets also brings numerous visitors to the area, and tourism
has become a major component of the county's economy.
"There is a great deal of heritage and
community support among the cities and townships within Portage
County, each is unique and offers a different living atmosphere," said
Streetsboro Chamber of Commerce President Cathy Bieterman.
 The community of
Ravenna celebrated its 25th
annual Balloon A-Fair in Fall 2003, with more than 25 hot-air balloons,
parades and contests. These and numerous other organizations and
festivals contribute to a favorable balance between work and play in
Portage County.
Speaking practically, Portage County
provides residents with excellent public services, including a strong
public library system and exceptional health care facilities. Along with
these state-of-the-art facilities, a much appreciated aspect of life in
Portage County is the rural atmosphere and the "small-town" feeling
which still exists in much of the county. Agriculture remains a viable
part of the local economy, with approximately 719 farms, may still
family owned.
"The best things about living in Portage
County are open space, lack of road congestion, fresh air, hometown
folks and country living (but with businesses just close enough)," said
Brimfield Chamber of Commerce President Michael Kostensky. "We have a more relaxed, educated pace of
living and ample are for enjoying our family and friends."
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