The Heath-Newark-Licking County Port Authority led a public-private delegation of community leaders to Washington D.C. under a theme of Capability. Development. Success. The purpose was to spotlight the capability of the Central Ohio Aerospace & Technology Center while sharing the development impact story and the success story that the Aerospace Center has provided for Ohio, our region, the U.S. Air Force, and The Boeing Company.

The Licking County Chamber of Commerce was a key partner in a delegation of community leaders representing the public-private partnership that epitomizes the Central Ohio Aerospace & Technology Center. The busload drove to Washington D.C. for the day to brief key members and staff of Ohio's Congressional Delegation. The list of participants reads like a Who's Who of Licking County organizations and people.

U.S. Senator Sherrod Brown hosted the delegation in the Capitol Visitor Center. U.S. Representative Pat Tiberi and U.S. Representative Steve Stivers met with the contingent in the morning. Jay Williams, with The White House Office of Intergovernmental Affairs, took part in the Ohio Delegation Reception at Noon. U.S. Representative Bill Johnson met with the contingent as well.

The Aerospace Center's largest customers include Boeing, Bionetics, UTC Aerospace Systems, and the U.S. Air Force.

The defense-related workloads at the Aerospace Center are crucial to national defense. With the defense industry uncertainty, the day serves as a valuable reminder of the importance and impact of the Center.

The contingent "Hit the Hill" and met with staff members of both U.S. Senate offices and all 16 Congressional offices of the Ohio Delegation.

This marked the seventh straight year of a Port Authority-led day in Washington, DC. The day was organized by the Heath-Newark-Licking County Port Authority as part of its caucus-building strategy aimed at increasing knowledge among federal, state, and local officials about the value and impact of the Aerospace Center. No tax dollars were used to cover the costs associated with the visit and no federal lobbyists were involved in any aspect of the visit. The 22-hour day was a "no frills" event. Participants were transported via motor coach with a local motor coach operator.