HEATH-NEWARK-LICKING COUNTY PORT AUTHORITY
NEWS RELEASE

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
October 1, 2021

PORT AUTHORITY – LICKING CO. RECORDER PARTNERSHIP ANNOUNCED
Recorder Bryan Long to Host Port Authority Newark AFB Newspaper Collection Online

HEATH, OHIO – The Heath-Newark-Licking County Port Authority has partnered with Licking County Recorder Bryan Long to make an historical newspaper collection available to the general public for the first time online. The “On Target” newspaper collection is available for public access at starting point HNLCPA.com/ontarget.

The “On Target” newspaper was published from 1965 to 1996 as a regular publication of the Newark Air Force Base. Through a partnership with Recorder Long the collection is hosted at LickingCounty.Gov and can be viewed page by page in its 31-year entirety.

An excerpt of the newspapers is both a reminder of historical events and a glimpse to a bygone era. Three examples: The March 25, 1993 front page includes the announcement of the base on the BRAC closure list. The October 13, 1966 edition featured the NAFS winning parade float. June 6, 1991 marked the occasion of transfer of Command to Col Joe Renaud.

“I am truly excited to partner with the Heath-Newark-Licking County Port Authority to help bring easy access to the ‘On Target’ publication originally published by Ace News, Inc. to cover the personnel of the Newark Air Force Base. The NAFB had such a meaningful history in the local community, and a deep connection to so many families. It is a true blast from the past to see the names, pictures, and advertisements found in the pages of ‘On Target.’ I am thankful that Rick Platt, Port Authority President and CEO, has taken the time and effort to preserve this local history, and I’m sure everyone that reads it will be thankful as well,” said Bryan Long, Licking County Recorder.

The Port Authority is marking the occasion of 25 years since the transfer of the facilities of the former Newark Air Force Base on October 1, 1996 by joining with Boeing and the U.S. Air Force in a partnership commemoration.

“The Port Authority is grateful for a partnership with Recorder Bryan Long that makes ‘On Target,’ this legacy of our history, widely available again,” said Rick Platt, Port Authority President and CEO. “Anniversaries are a time to aim at looking back while paying forward. This partnership to unveil the ‘On Target’ collection online hits that target right on.”

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HEATH-NEWARK-LICKING COUNTY PORT AUTHORITY
NEWS RELEASE

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
October 1, 2021

$1 MILLION STEM SCHOLARSHIP PROMISE ANNOUNCED

Port Authority Board Approved First of 20-Year Promise of OSU-N and COTC Scholarships
HEATH, OHIO – Today, the Heath-Newark-Licking County Port Authority announced a $1 million promise to the future of STEM learning in Licking County in the form of a new, 20-year STEM Scholarship. The funding will provide scholarships for students attending The Ohio State University at Newark or Central Ohio Technical College with a focus on supporting science, technology, engineering, and math job opportunities in Licking County.

The initial gift of $50,000 is being made public today during a commemorative event marking 25 years since the transfer of the facilities of the former Newark Air Force Base on October 1, 1996 to the Port Authority. The Port Authority is promising to continue the $50,000 annual gift through at least the year 2041 as a recognition of the importance of STEM skills in fulfilling its job opportunities-focused mission.

“A large part of what we do at the former Newark Air Force Base is ‘rocket science’ and requires a highly skilled labor force,” said Dr. Bob Klingensmith, Heath-Newark-Licking County Port Authority Board member. “It is our hope that these scholarships will help the citizens of Licking County meet the future employment needs of companies located on our campus.”

The scholarship idea was initiated by Klingensmith and fully embraced by the Port Authority Board of Directors. Dr. Klingensmith has served on the Board of the Port Authority since its beginning in 1995. The STEM Scholarship announcement is fitting with the theme of the 25th anniversary commemoration: Partnership.

Eligible students include those employed or a family member of those employed at businesses located on the Port Authority’s Central Ohio Aerospace & Technology Center campus. Licking County residents pursuing a degree in a STEM-related discipline are also eligible. Scholarship recipients will be selected by the Newark Campus Director of Student Financial Services. The first scholarships will be available for the 2022-2023 school year.

“The Port Authority’s generous funding of the STEM Scholarship will have a direct impact on training and equipping individuals with the skills they need to pursue local, in-demand career opportunities,” said Rob Montagnese, Newark Campus Development Fund Chairman and Licking Memorial Health Systems President & CEO. “The access it creates for students locally to have experiences they may not otherwise be able to even dream about will strengthen our local workforce and economy for years to come.”

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HEATH-NEWARK-LICKING COUNTY PORT AUTHORITY
NEWS RELEASE

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
September 20, 2021

PORT AUTHORITY PLANNING COMMITTEE MEETING SET

HEATH, OHIO – The Heath-Newark-Licking County Port Authority has scheduled a special meeting of the Planning Committee of the Board of Directors, for Wednesday, September 22 at 1:30 p.m. in the Boardroom of the Port Authority at 851 Irving Wick Drive West, Heath. The purpose of the meeting is to perform a covenants review of building plans on Port Authority properties, including plans in Heath and Johnstown. The Board committee meetings are open to the public.

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HEATH-NEWARK-LICKING COUNTY PORT AUTHORITY
NEWS RELEASE

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
August 13, 2021

PORT AUTHORITY SPECIAL BOARD MEETING SET

HEATH, OHIO – The Heath-Newark-Licking County Port Authority has scheduled a special meeting of the Board of Directors, for Wednesday, September 29 at 11:00 a.m. in the Boardroom of the Port Authority at 851 Irving Wick Drive West, Heath. The meeting is a working session expected to last approximately three hours. The purpose of the meeting is to initiate discussions on a revision to the 10-year strategic plan.

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HEATH-NEWARK-LICKING COUNTY PORT AUTHORITY
NEWS RELEASE

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
June 22, 2021

PORT AUTHORITY SPECIAL BOARD MEETING SET

HEATH, OHIO – The Heath-Newark-Licking County Port Authority has scheduled a special meeting of the Board of Directors, for Tuesday, June 29 at 11:30 a.m. in the Boardroom of the Port Authority at 851 Irving Wick Drive West, Heath. The purpose of the meeting is to review topics related to the construction of an industrial building, a paving project, and other development-related matters. The Board committee meetings are open to the public.

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