Dan Evers, Executive Director of the Clinton County Port Authority, spoke to The Wilmington Rotary Club which meets at noon about the Port Authority.
Evers stated that a port authority is a political subdivision formed by a local government – county, township, municipality, or combination thereof. Port authorities are governed by a board of directors appointed by elected officials of the local government(s). The powers and duties of a port authority may include to:
• Acquire real and personal property
• Own, lease, sell and construct improvement to real property
• Issue revenue bonds
• Issue voted general obligation bonds
• Levy voted taxes for all purposes of the port authority
• Receive federal and state grants and other public funds
• Operate transportation, recreation, governmental or cultural facilities
• Cooperate broadly with other governmental agencies
Evers stated that since June 2, 2010 the Clinton County Port Authority has owned and operated the Wilmington Air Park. The airport has been a part of Clinton County and Wilmington since 1929 and has never gone dark.
The Port Authority now operates and manages over 1,900 acres surrounding the two-runway, fully functional Part 139 airport. Nearly 3 million square feet of office, warehouse and hangar space are included in the airport property.
Evers stated that the Air Park needs to invest $3.5 million annually to maintain the Air Park. In the last several years, the Port Authority has received $750,000 from ODOT for infrastructure and a $3 million state capital improvement grant.
There are currently 12 employers who employ more than 1,200 employees at the Air Park.
