MANSFIELD — Celebratory sparkling water was in order for local leaders Tuesday morning.
Ellen Heinz, president and CEO of the Richland Area Chamber & Economic Development, proudly passed out bottles of S. Pellegrino — a sparkling natural mineral water — following county commissioners’ approval of the Richland County Port Authority.
Heinz thanked the three-member board for its financial support and efforts to provide a resource which will help catalyze regional development.
Several members of Heinz’ team joined her Tuesday, including Jessica Gribben, economic and community development director, and Donnie Clark, economic development project manager.
Kristine Lindeman, board chair for the Richland Area Chamber, and Jake Penwell, chair of the Richland County Development Group, were also in attendance.
“There’s been an overwhelming support (to create a port authority),” Heinz said. “In fact, we have a number of projects that have reached out to us already asking to get involved to see if there is some way that their project might be a good fit for the port authority.”
Commissioners also approved the individuals who will serve on the port authority’s board.
Commissioner Tony Vero said the selection process prioritized seeking individuals with business and economic development experience, as well as in finance.
Board members approved Tuesday include:
- Randa Payne, general counsel at Adena Corporation
- Mark Masters, president and CEO of Mechanics Bank
- DeLee Powell, president of Baker’s Collision
- David Eichinger, senior vice president and senior consultant at The Eichinger-Brafford-McClead Group
- John Olivieri, executive director of the County Engineers Association of Ohio
“They (board members) bring experience that we feel would be germane to overseeing a port,” Vero said.
He added the board’s first meeting has already been set for June 18.
Background
Port authority discussions gained traction in April when Heinz and Tom Vanderhorst, a financial specialist at the Richland Area Chamber & Economic Development, shared the advantages a port authority could provide to spur development.
In May, commissioners approved an engagement letter for the creation of a port authority, authorizing $10,000 from the county’s general fund for legal work completed by Daniels & Rhodes.
What benefits can port authorities provide?
A port authority is granted several powers through Ohio Revised Code, including the ability to own land, levy a property tax and assist in redeveloping environmentally challenged sites, according to the Ohio Council of Port Authorities.
Port authorities can also provide sales-tax exemptions to businesses, in exchange for a fee.
“Seeing what other people have done with their port authorities, I think this is going to move the economic development along in Richland County,” said Commissioner Darrell Banks.
There are 62 port authorities in Ohio, including Richland County’s newly formed authority.
“It’s truly an exciting and tremendous opportunity to elevate our community with a critical tool to add to our economic development toolbox,” Heinz said. “I believe this will benefit all of the communities within Richland County and it is a huge, huge win.”
Opportunities for existing and new businesses
The powers of a port authority are capable of attracting developers to Richland County, as well as assisting existing local businesses and development projects, including the recently announced revitalization efforts at the Mansfield Motorsports Speedway.
“They (new owners Matt and Jordan Tifft) do have very diversified plans, so that (port authority) could potentially be an option for them,” Heinz said.
While specifics are currently private, Heinz said three existing businesses within the county have interest in pursuing sales-tax exemptions through the port authority.
A developer has also shown interest in bringing two to three projects that would be new to the county.
“If it wasn’t for the port, they (developer) wouldn’t be looking at doing a project in the county,” Heinz said.
Penwell thanked everyone involved with bringing the county to form the port authority, which he said will help businesses grow.
“Good craftsmen need quality tools and this is a quality tool that we’ve missed for a long time at nobody’s fault,” he said. “But we’re here now and we’re in a good place.”
Vero said he thinks Richland County is beginning to capitalize on its unique location between Cleveland and Columbus. He said he doesn’t believe it’s a coincidence that Mansfield Motorsports Speedway is “ready to be revived.”
“I think it’s a sign of the momentum and how outsiders are taking notice with the Main Street (Corridor Improvement) project (and) with what’s going on in the corridors (and) at the airport,” he said.
“I know what it sounds like when a politician says it, but I don’t think that’s a coincidence. There’s momentum, we have a lot of people in the right place and there’s more to come,” Vero said.