HEATH-NEWARK-LICKING COUNTY PORT AUTHORITY
                      PUBLIC INFORMATION PROGRAM


FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE					CONTACT:
November 2, 2004	        Rick Platt, 740-788-5500 ext. 35

         PORT AUTHORITY BREAKS GROUND ON ROADWAY PROJECT
  Project Represents First Major Infrastructure Improvements
                 to Property in Over 50 Years

HEATH, OHIO –  The Heath-Newark-Licking County Port Authority broke 
ground today on a roadway project at the Central Ohio Aerospace and 
Technology Center’s new South Campus.  The roadway project 
represents the first major public infrastructure improvements to 
this Heath property in over 50 years.

The project will see the upgrade of existing Kaiser Drive at St. 
Rt. 79, extension of the roadway to the center point on the Port 
Authority’s 290-acre new South Campus, and related storm water 
improvements.  A $666,000 construction contract was awarded by the 
Port Authority Board at its October 18 meeting.  The project is 
scheduled for completion in Summer 2005.

The last major infrastructure improvements date back to the early 
1950’s when a 70-acre parcel was sectioned out and utility upgrades 
were brought in to serve facilities that would later become the 
Newark Air Force Base.  The Port Authority acquired the long-vacant 
property in 2002 with plans to develop an industrial park adjacent 
to the existing Base and Kaiser Aluminum facilities.

Joining in the groundbreaking were Heath Mayor Daniel L. Dupps and 
Wally Horton.  The City of Heath approved plans for the roadway 
project this Summer and the newly extended roadway will become a 
city street.  Horton’s role in the community goes back to the days 
when planning for the Newark Air Force Base first began in 1958.  
He led the charge to retain the jobs and the economic impact 
through privatization and, in 1996, became the first executive 
director of the Port Authority.  It was his vision to see the Port 
Authority’s impact extend beyond the gates of the Base with the 
development of adjacent property.  

The project is funded, in part, through a $500,000 state grant 
from the Ohio Department of Development and Port Authority funds.  
The construction status will be reported online at 
coatc.com/project.


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