The State Auditor’s Office on Monday presented Delaware County with a “Proclamation of Recognition and Appreciation” for recently receiving AAA credit ratings with both Moody’s Investors Service and Standard & Poor’s.

Tim Kraft, central region liaison with the State Auditor’s Office, presented the proclamation commending Delaware County for “achieving the highest possible credit rating” to county commissioners.

“When we come to Delaware County, we always bring good news,” Kraft said.

Kraft said Franklin County is the only other county in Ohio to achieve the highest rating from Moody’s and Standard & Poor’s.

Delaware County Auditor George Kaitsa informed commissioners of the credit rating upgrade from AA1 rating to AAA by Moody’s the morning of April 25.

He told The Gazette that same afternoon that Standard & Poor’s had reaffirmed the county’s current AAA rating.

“This is the first time in the history of Delaware County to have two AAA ratings,” Kaitsa told The Gazette in April.

The new rating from Moody’s will save the county $107,000 in interest over the life of the bonds for the county’s new judicial building, Kaitsa estimated.

Last Thursday, commissioners discussed the economic impact the new Tanger Outlets shopping center will have for the county. They finished their meeting Monday talking about the impact it had just over the weekend — during its grand opening.

“There were a number of people there,” said Commissioner Jeff Benton. “I really enjoyed it.”

Benton named a few of the local, state and federal officials who attended the outlet mall opening.

“Congressman (Patrick) Tiberi was there, Lt. Gov. Mary Taylor was there and Steven Tanger from Tanger Outlet Malls,” he said. “Our very own commissioner, (Barb) Lewis, gave a great speech and really represented Delaware County very well.”

“It was a great day for Delaware County and it’s going to be a great regional attraction.”

“It was really a great event,” Lewis said. “Beautiful day — all the beautiful buildings and merchandise — it was a great event. “

Lewis praised all the hard work that went into bringing the outlet mall to the area. “Commissioner (Gary) Merrell really took the lead on this,” she said. “It was a real team effort.”

Brand-name outlet stores include Ann Taylor Factory Store, Nike Factory Store, Banana Republic Factory Store, American Eagle Outfitters, Talbots Outlet, Gap Factory Store, Loft Outlet and others.

Lewis mentioned “the new jobs it will provide” and the “new taxes” the outlet stores will bring to the county.