About 30 business firms sent a delegate to a Friday meeting in Wilmington City Hall, representing a first step in the process to move new business into the air park DHL currently owns.

The search for new business has quickened, said Chris Schock, executive director of the Clinton County Regional Planning Commission. Schock ran Friday’s meeting.

He admits the success of this work depends on DHL deciding to turn its facilities over to government control, most likely control by the Clinton County Port Authority.

But “we’re operating under the assumption they will” do that, he said — in January under the best-case scenario. His organization sees it as being ”pro-active,” and has little other option.

Some businessmen and women appeared concerned about the community, but most appeared enthusiastic, especially after Schock’s presentation about community life and work here.

Some of those present at the meeting had not even heard of Wilmington — to say nothing of coming here — before the news about DHL this summer.

Many, but not all, attendees had received a “request for information” letter from a consortium of state, county and local agencies. That request essentially asked businesses what they would do with the air park (or a part of it) if they could be involved with its future.

That could include management of the park, advising or consulting, purchasing a piece of the park or bringing business to the facility in some capacity.

Businesses have until Jan. 9 to draft a response to the letter, according to Schock. The opportunity to respond is open to everyone — guidelines and the request itself can be found at www.co.clinton.oh.us/regional_planning.

Some “very prestigious” firms have contacted either the city or the regional planning commission, interested in bringing business or industry to the air park site, according to Schock. These have included alternative energy companies and advanced manufacturing companies, he said. Some of those firms were present at Friday’s meeting.

“How serious they were is yet to be ferreted out,” he said.

A question-and-answer session followed Schock’s presentation Friday. One person asked, “Will the county, the state or the federal governments be providing the money [for retraining]?”

Schock responded hesitantly, reminding the delegation about the grim outlook of Ohio’s budget as well as Clinton County’s budget.

“But we’re hopeful,” he said.

Later a businessman expressed that he felt Wilmington’s situation has enough media attention and high-level political support to move forward quickly.

Another person asked what the next steps will be, after responses to the ”request for information” are received.

Schock replied the work will be analyzed by committees, but that he can’t promise a request for a ”proposal” — a more specific plan for the air park’s redevelopment — because of the question of future park ownership.

Mike Poggi attended the meeting after hearing about Wilmington on the radio. He was in Ohio for a business meeting and tuned in to National Public Radio, only to hear a story about the Energize Clinton County “green” initiative. He knew his consulting firm would be interested.

“It’s been demonstrated that there won’t be a vacuum here” once DHL leaves, he said. “There seems to be a skilled and dedicated workforce and solid leadership.”

Poggi also thought the town itself was beautiful.

Two delegates from DHL were present, as well as a few officials from the state level — specifically the Department of Development.

After the question-and-answer session, 24 representatives from businesses toured the facilities at the DHL Air Park.

Call Schock’s office at 382-3582 or the Wilmington mayor’s office at 382-5458 if you would like to express interest in another tour in January.