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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HEATH-NEWARK-LICKING COUNTY PORT AUTHORITY
NEWS RELEASE

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
February 19, 2024

PORT AUTHORITY PLANNING COMMITTEE SET

HEATH, OHIO –  The Heath-Newark-Licking County Port Authority has scheduled a meeting of the Planning Committee of the Board of Directors, for Tuesday, March 5 at 3:30 p.m.  The purpose of the meeting is to review draft 10-year capital plan investment in Port Authority-owned real property.

Note a location different than typical meeting locations for the Committee.  The meeting will be conducted at 1425 Mount Vernon Road, Newark.

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HEATH-NEWARK-LICKING COUNTY PORT AUTHORITY
OP-ED COLUMN

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
December 18, 2023

YES, VIENNA, THERE IS A SANTA CLAUSE (AND HE LIKES OHIO)

By:  Rick Platt

An open letter to my granddaughter for Christmas.

Yes, Vienna, there is a Santa Claus. I talked to him and, just like every year, there will be a toy, a tool, and a toothbrush in your stocking. You will have a couple nice gifts too.

My conversation with Santa went beyond your stocking and what was to be under the tree.  I also talked to Santa about some economic gifts, and my wish for a bright future for you. Grandpa thinks that way.

Manufacturing. Grandpa subscribes to the thinking that a strong economic base is found in industry that makes more than it would sell locally.  Manufacturing has been the beating heart of the Heart of It All.

When I was your age, the factories were strong and kids watched their parents go to work earning good pay. For much of my lifetime, though, a robust Ohio manufacturing scene was not the case.  However, it sure looks to me that your future sees a growing manufacturing base again. Ohio is leading the way among the states with onshoring of manufacturing jobs.

In your hometown, Behr Paint will open a new manufacturing facility next year.  Behr is creating jobs that would have gone overseas just a few years ago.  Boeing is at its highest level of employment in the last twenty years.

We don’t have to drive far for more signs of growth. Ohio has seen its share of onshoring good news for a few years in a row now.  Intel’s plant should be more visible at some point next year.  Honda and LG Chem are already above ground near I-71 in Fayette County.

Workforce. Grandpa also believes that a healthy economy requires population growth among the working age population. Ohio has some challenges there. My hope is that efforts to get homesick Ohioans back home and put out the welcome mat for new Ohioans is part of the mix of building our healthy state economy.

My hope for your generation is that a good economy is a reason to stay in Ohio when you are working age. My generation scattered and created a long list of people homesick for their home state.  The cure for homesickness is coming home, or never leaving in the first place.

STEM Learning. My wish is for you to experience a country with a different outlook on women in STEM careers. Girls, at a younger age, talk about STEM careers, but statistics show more tend to stop talking about them as they get older.  I don’t get it. There’s no reason for women to only fill 25% of STEM jobs.  I hope you and your generation reverse this trend.

If your God-given talents call you towards a science and technology career, answer the call.  Opportunities are here, in Ohio.

Your hometown science museum, The Works, has had a STEM learning focus and so do many of the schools in your home county.  There’s a clear link between STEM learning options and STEM career opportunities.

It’s no surprise that companies that have chosen Ohio remark on the history of manufacturing, a manufacturing culture, and STEM learning infrastructure as key reasons to invest in the state.

Santa didn’t leave these under the tree, but they are gifts Ohio enjoys nonetheless.

So, yes, Vienna, there is a Santa Claus.  And he likes Ohio.

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Rick Platt is the President and CEO of the Heath-Newark-Licking County Port Authority, a regular development column writer, and a father of four and grandfather of one who lives in Newark.  He is a Board member of JobsOhio. 

HEATH-NEWARK-LICKING COUNTY PORT AUTHORITY
NEWS RELEASE

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
December 1, 2023

PORT AUTHORITY 2024 BOARD MEETINGS ANNOUNCED

HEATH, OHIO – The Heath-Newark-Licking County Port Authority announced its Board of Director’s meeting schedule for 2024.  The meetings are held starting at 3:30 p.m. on the second Tuesday of every other month in the conference room at the Port Authority offices, 851 Irving-Wick Drive West, Heath.

The schedule is as follows:

February 13
April 9
June 11
August 13
October 8
December 10

Board meetings are preceded, at 2:30 p.m., by regular meetings of the Port Authority standing committees, if needed.  The committees include finance, personnel, community projects, and planning.

The Board of Directors consists of nine members, three appointed by each of the City of Heath, City of Newark, and Licking County Commissioners.  Board meetings and committee meetings are open to the public.  For more information, visit the Port Authority’s web site at HNLCPA.com.

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HEATH-NEWARK-LICKING COUNTY PORT AUTHORITY
NEWS RELEASE

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
September 15, 2023

PORT AUTHORITY BOARD MEETING DATE CHANGED

HEATH, OHIO –  The Heath-Newark-Licking County Port Authority regularly scheduled October meeting of the Board of Directors has been changed to Tuesday, October 31 at 3:30 p.m. in the Boardroom of the Port Authority at 851 Irving Wick Drive West, Heath.  Board meetings are preceded, at 2:30 p.m., by regular meetings of the Port Authority standing committees, if needed.  The committees include finance, personnel, community projects, and planning.

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