HEATH-NEWARK-LICKING COUNTY PORT AUTHORITY
NEWS RELEASE

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
April 15, 2024

PORT AUTHORITY ADVANCES $63.9 MILLION CAPITAL PLAN

HEATH, OHIO – At a recent meeting, the Port Authority Board of Directors accepted an update to its 10-year capital plan which forecasts capital investments through the year 2035.  At full implementation, the plan envisions a $63.9 million total investment.

The plan includes:

  • At least six customer expansions
  • Over $12 million in facility improvement projects
  • $6 million in infrastructure projects
  • $10 million in speculative development
  • $9.5 million in future industrial development land investments

“The Port Authority Board recognizes the importance of planning ahead. Our track record for the last 10 years saw more than two thirds of our projects move forward with $23 million invested,” said Port Authority Facility and Operations Director John Vermaaten. “We’ve got our work cut out for us for the next ten years.”

The Port Authority owns over one million square feet of industrial building space and has industrial property totaling over 700 acres in Licking County.  The Port Authority has taken part in 14 speculatively built industrial buildings since 2011, including redevelopment of two buildings in Newark called STEMFlex® which targets industries needing a STEM-skilled workforce.

The Port Authority is the largest self-sustaining port authority in Ohio, receiving no tax dollars to support its operations.

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