Richland County was starting to benefit from a port authority, even before creating one.
“We have a number of projects that have reached out to us already, asking to get involved, to see if their project might be a good fit for the port authority,” Ellen Heinz, president and CEO of Richland Area Chamber & Economic Development, said Tuesday at a meeting of the county commissioners.
Commissioners voted 3-0 to establish a port authority and appointed the first five board members.
Port authorities can be useful economic development tools for local governments. With a wide range of powers provided by the Ohio Revised Code, port authorities can own land, set fees and levy taxes. They usually are self-sustaining.
“We’re seeing what other people have done with their port authorities. I think this is going to move economic development along in Richland County,” Commissioner Darrell Banks said.
The five board members, who will serve staggered four-year terms, are Randa Payne, general counsel for Adena Corp.; Mark Masters, CEO of Mechanics Bank; DeLee Powell, owner of Baker’s Collision Repair; financial consultant David Eichinger; and John Olivieri, former county engineer and current executive director of the County Engineers Association of Ohio.
“The thought process of the board was to ask people with a background in business, particularly economic development,” Commissioner Tony Vero said.
Five-member port authority board will not be paid
Board members are expected to meet about once a month and are not paid.
“These are altruistic people in the community who want to see the community thrive,” Vero said.
Vero pointed out that a port authority can acquire and develop property, issue revenue bonds and can use sales tax exemptions for economic development.
“That exception travels with the developer outside of Richland County. It’s a unique feature,” Vero said. “In return for the exemption, developers pay money back to the port.”
Tuesday’s meeting was one for celebration. Heinz brought with her 12 bottles of sparkling water from San Pellegrino.
She recognized a number of people, including the commissioners.
“They walked with us side-by-side in the process,” Heinz said. “When they made the decision to pursue this further, not only did they do this in a short time frame, they said, ‘How fast can we get there?”’
She also thanked the chamber’s board of directors, Jessica Gribben and her economic development team, County Administrator Andrew Keller and Tom Vanderhorst, a finance specialist who has worked two weeks a month for the county since March.
“We wouldn’t be here without him,” Heinz said.
The county has become the 62nd in Ohio to establish a port authority. Commissioners are making an upfront investment of $25,000.
“We are able to be reimbursed by the port once they start generating revenue,” Vero said.
He lamented the county not creating a port authority earlier, noting it has used ones from outside the county.
Prior to the discussion, commissioners voted to approve a second resolution for a mental health renewal levy. The 1-mill, 10-year levy generates about $2.4 million a year. It is not a new tax.
In other business, commissioners:
mcaudill@gannett.com
419-521-7219
X: @MarkCau32059251
This article originally appeared on Mansfield News Journal: Port authority should enhance economic development in Richland County
Reporting by Mark Caudill, Mansfield News Journal / Mansfield News Journal
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