FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
February 27, 2013

HEATH – At a time when defense budget cuts are looming and the key navigation and guidance systems contract at the Central Ohio Aerospace & Technology Center is up for renewal, the Heath-Newark-Licking County Port Authority is increasing its efforts to tell its success story on Capitol Hill. “Community Leaders D.C. Day” is scheduled for Wednesday, March 20.

While the Port Authority has brought a fly-in contingent in previous years, this year’s busload will likely bring four times that of past numbers of participants. The people committed to be on the motor coach are among the pillar public- and private-sector leaders of the community as well as representatives of the largest companies at the Aerospace Center—Boeing, Bionetics, and UTC Aerospace Systems.

“This is a critical year at a critical time for Licking County to deliver a strong message on Capitol Hill and there’s strength in numbers,” said Port Authority President and CEO Rick Platt. “With strong support from the Chamber, the City of Heath, and Licking County, we will be bringing an upbeat message of unique capabilities, strong economic development impact, and success for the Department of Defense.”

The contingent is being hosted at the U.S. Capitol by U.S. Senator Sherrod Brown. In addition, U.S. Representative Pat Tiberi and U.S. Representative Steve Stivers are scheduled to attend a forum with the Licking County leaders. A lunchtime reception with the Ohio Congressional Delegation and staff is set while invitations are still pending with other members of the Ohio Delegation as well.

The day-long visit is 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. The Licking County Chamber of Commerce has sponsored the event in full partnership with the Port Authority. No tax dollars are used to fund the activities and the “no frills” day starts with the bus departing from the Aerospace Center at 3:00 a.m. It returns 19 hours later.

For more information, visit the website http://hnlcpa.com/DC. Also, look for Twitter updates that day with the hashtag #HNLCPA.