News & Newsletters
2024Economic Development News
Port Authority Newsletters
$2.6 Million Remediation Grant To Help Ready Former Lear Site ForRredevelopment
The county land bank recently received $2.6 million that someday may help transform a Zanesville eyesore into a residential and recreational asset.
The state grant, dedicated to rehabbing abandoned and blighted commercial and industrial sites, will be used to clean up the former Lear brownfield site on Linden Avenue.
The land bank partnered with the city in 2020 to sell the former Lear site for $28,500. The land bank pried the 28.5-acre plot away from an ex-military developer group that stripped the parcel of its materials and left behind mostly debris.
“They had bought up several former industrial facilities with the promise that they were going to 
redevelop them over time,” stated Andy Roberts, executive director of the land bank. “Two of those sites were Mosaic and Lear.”
“Lear had already been tax foreclosed upon, and that’s how we were able to get it,” Roberts noted. “They didn’t pay their taxes.”
“When it comes into our name, it scrubs all of the taxes away, any title defects, and any other liens that are against the property,” Roberts continued. “We assumed it through tax forfeiture, and then we opened it up to see who was interested in taking it, and that’s when the city put their bid in.”
“Since then, the city has spent well over a million dollars in cleaning it up, doing additional environmental studies, and just getting it into the state that it’s in now, which still isn’t great, but way better than where it was,” Roberts added. “With this money, we should be able to tee this site up for redevelopment.
“Nothing in this grant is going to redevelop the property,” Roberts noted. “But our end goal is just to get the ground ready to have something done with it.”
Future plans
“We are given the opportunity to develop the northern portion of this acreage for residential housing, most likely apartments,” Zanesville Mayor Don Mason said. “Then the southern 20 acres we can develop as a recreational area
for youth sports and some adult sports like flag football or soccer.
“We started developing this concept of recreational property and residential a few months ago, based on the environmental restrictions and deed restrictions on what we can do,” Mason continued. “Due to the nature of those restrictions, we really can develop literally from the ground up and can’t go very deep into the soil. By placing recreational fields over it, it satisfies the conditions.”
The Linden Avenue site is still visibly covered with large swaths of concrete foundation that descend 36 inches into the ground in some cases. Some of it will be preserved to make an accompanying parking lot for a recreational area. Areas re-appropriated into greenspace will be covered with 2 feet of fill, Roberts explained.
However, the remediation project has a catch.
The former Lear site has been designated a U.S. EPA superfund location, which names responsible parties after discovering major contamination events.
Lear used to manufacture electrical components for vehicles. In the 1970s, Lear employees disposed of numerous barrels of a degreasing agent into an on-site well, polluting the subsurface water table.
Lear was eventually bought by a missile and defense company named Raytheon. With that, Raytheon assumed Lear’s culpability in the contamination. Raytheon would be responsible if more pollution was found in the future.
“We’re going to have to go to Raytheon and basically sell them on this, which we think is doable because we’re not talking about tearing up a whole bunch of stuff,” Roberts said.
“I would say this is a great step in the right direction,” Mason said. “We’re still working with our engineering firm on developing sort of a plan for it, but at least we know what we can do and how much money we have to do it with.”
Construction on Leasure Farms Housing Project to Begin in Early Next Year
The Leasure Farms Development will break ground on its residential housing project in early 2025.
The residential complex will introduce 84 single-family units and 16 condominiums after closing on 74 acres 
from the Muskingum County Community Foundation in September.
Construction will begin early next year at 3870 Frazeysburg Road, near the Northpointe Center. Single-family home prices will start in the low to mid $300,000 range, and condos will be in the $400,000 range.
This will be the first phase of the project, Leasure Farms Development’s Steve Layman said additional phases could be introduced in the future.
The new development could increase Zanesville’s population by upward of 3,000 people by the next census, noted Matt Schley, Zanesville’s Community Development director.
To access the full Zanesville Times Recorder article written by Shawn Digity, click HERE.
Ground Broken on New Building at National Road Business Park
The Zanesville-Muskingum County Port Authority and Columbus-based developer Marker, Inc. held a groundbreaking ceremony at Wednesday.
The speculative building project will construct a new Class A-commerical warehouse with more than 200,000
square feet of space and the flexibility to house one large company or multiple smaller ones.
The building will be built on an 11-acre plot at 305 Prosperity Parkway as part of the larger, 200-acre industrial park in Zanesville. The new warehouse is scheduled for completion in 2026.
“305 Prosperity Parkway brings much-needed Class A industrial inventory to the Zanesville area, which is prime to support a wide variety of uses,” said Kirk Maker, president of Marker, Inc.
More than $13.8 million has been invested into the building already, according to a news release. The project will cost around $17.2 million overall, according.
The project will also be supplemented by another $2 million grant through JobOhio’s Site Inventory Program. The Site Inventory Program develops statewide, off-market properties into more inviting economic investments.
“Developing a public-private partnership with Marker Development brings a level of business attraction potential that will benefit our community and its residents,” said Matt Abbott, executive director of Port Authority. “The speculative building project is designed to meet the demands of a manufacturing tenant and significant job creator.”
In June, the Port Authority announced a low-interest $4-million loan from the Ohio Department of Development’s Rural Industrial Park Loan (RIPL) program to partially fund the building. RIPLs help finance the development and enhancement of industrial parks and their nearby infrastructure.
The building will possess a range of manufacturing and industrial specs, including 20 dock doors, an interior height of 32 feet, and the ability to expand trailer parking. The warehouse is being built with preexisting concrete walls that were done in 2020.
Port Authority first acquired the National Road Business Park in 2018. Its development was facilitated by more than $3 million in funding from a JobsOhio Spec Development Grant.
“We are fortunate to receive continued financial assistance from the City of Zanesville, the Muskingum County Commissioners, JobsOhio, ODOT Jobs & Commerce, and the Port Authority Board of Directors, allowing us to further develop the National Road Business Park,” Abbott said.
The new manufacturing and warehouse space, along with the rest of the National Road Business Park, is expected to generate interest from businesses and, in turn, create more jobs in the county, noted J.P. Nauseef, president and CEO of JobsOhio.
The construction work will generate around 50 full-time temporary jobs throughout the project timeline.
Gateway Project: City Council Approves Vacating Elberon Avenue
The downtown Zanesville Gateway Project took another step forward as the vacation of Elberon Avenue between North Fourth Street and North Fifth Street and Court Alley was unanimously approved by the Zanesville City Council.
The city hopes to modernize parts of its downtown regions through its multi-pronged Gateway Project. The overarching project will encompass the Zanesville-Muskingum County Conference & Welcome Center, John McIntire Library, Secrest Auditorium and its streetscape, and the old AEP building.
Project stakeholders hope to make Zanesville more inviting to Interstate 70 passersby and take advantage of the quick exit opportunity onto Fifth and Seventh Streets. There were an estimated 5,600 cars per day that come off the Fifth Street ramp, Zanesville Mayor Don Mason noted. The vacated part of Elberon had fewer than 600 daily drivers before Fifth Street’s construction started, he added.
The Welcome Center’s project portion plans to build two new covered pavilions. They needed the Elberon fragment to consolidate with a portion of their own parking lot.
Now passed, what will become the pavilion plot will be leveled, and a retaining wall will be added. The pavilions have been in the works since 2021. The CFA hopes to break ground in the spring or summer of 2025.
To read the full Zanesville Times Recorder article written by Shawn Digity, click HERE.
Muskingum County Meat Processors Receive $673K In Grants for Facility Improvements
Ohio has awarded three Muskingum County businesses grant funding through its Meat Processing Grant Program for facility upgrades.
The program recently completed its fourth round, where it disbursed $14 million to 51 Ohio meat processing companies in 33 counties. The three Muskingum businesses netted $673,142.
Olde Village Meats in Frazeysburg was given $105,844. Olde Village is owned by Jeff and KC Smith.
“As per the grant requirements, it’s for kill floor equipment to expand our kill floor processing area and updating the equipment that’s in there so we can get more animals in per week, and I guess, be more productive in that process,” KC said.
Marker Development Announces Investment Over $13.8 Million in National Road Business Park Spec Building
Zanesville, Ohio: October 30, 2024 –– Marker, Inc. and the Zanesville-Muskingum County Port Authority hosted a groundbreaking ceremony on Wednesday, October 30 for its speculative building project at National Road Business Park. The project will be supported by a $2 million JobsOhio Grant through the Ohio Site Inventory Program. Project partners in attendance included JobsOhio, Ohio Southeast Economic Development (OhioSE), the Zanesville-Muskingum County Port Authority, Mayor Mason, Marker Inc., the Muskingum County Commissioners, and the Ohio Department of Development.
“Establishing this facility is another critical step in realizing the full potential the National Road Business Park has to attract more industrial jobs to Muskingum County,” said Ohio Governor Mike DeWine. “Once complete, the building will be a strong draw for companies looking to quickly and easily invest in a facility with immediate access to utilities, logistical advantages, and Ohio’s outstanding workforce.” The spec building is designed to accommodate a range of industrial and manufacturing specifications, with over 200,000 square feet of space, 20 dock doors, and a clear interior height of 32’. The building, which sits on 11.5 acres, will be constructed with precast concrete walls and will have the ability to expand trailer parking.
“This state-of-the-art speculative building is being constructed on a foundation we and OhioSE first laid in 2020 through extraordinary collaboration with our partners at the State of Ohio and in Muskingum County,” said JobsOhio President and CEO J.P. Nauseef. “The National Road Business Park now has the full infrastructure in place to fully build out top-tier manufacturing space that will attract new businesses and jobs to the region.”
The Ohio Site Inventory Program (OSIP) was established to create property within the state that is not being developed by the market, but that has proven demand and known economic benefit. This program improves the state’s competitive edge with respect to attracting new investment and job creation by filling gaps in the state’s inventory portfolio.
“We are excited to bring this catalytic development to life in the National Road Business Park,” Marker Development President Kirk Marker explained. “305 Prosperity Parkway brings much-needed Class A industrial inventory to the Zanesville area, which is prime to support a wide variety of uses. This has been an excellent example of public-private collaboration to foster growth in the Ohio Southeast Region, and we look forward to the project’s impact in the area.”
The Zanesville-Muskingum County Port Authority acquired the site where National Road Business Park is located in 2018. The development of the business park was supported by a $3,090,000 JobsOhio Spec Development Grant.
“This investment will ensure the OhioSE region is competitive for future job-creating projects by having prime industrial space ready for growing companies,” said Katy Farber, OhioSE Interim President.
This project was also supported by a $4 million loan through the Rural Industrial Park Loan (RIPL) Program. The RIPL program promotes economic development by providing low-interest direct loans to assist eligible applicants in financing the development and improvement of industrial parks and related off-site public infrastructure improvements.
The Zanesville-Muskingum County Port Authority has continued to be a leader in land and business park development in Muskingum County.
“We are fortunate to receive continued financial assistance from the City of Zanesville, the Muskingum County Commissioners, JobsOhio, ODOT Jobs & 
Commerce, and the Port Authority Board of Directors, allowing us to further develop the National Road Business Park,” said Zanesville-Muskingum County Port Authority Executive Director, Matt Abbott. “Our partnership with the Perry Township Trustees is invaluable in maintaining the roads in and around the Park. With these partnerships, the possibilities for new business and industry are endless. Developing a public-private partnership with Marker Development brings a level of business attraction potential that will benefit our community and its residents,” said Abbott. “The speculative building project is designed to meet the demands of a manufacturing tenant and significant job creator.”
Marker Development to Construct $17M Building at National Road Business Park
The Port Authority is working with Marker Development to construct a 201,600-square-foot Class A commercial building configured for light manufacturing/warehouse space at 305 Prosperity Parkway in Zanesville.
A $4 million loan from the Ohio Department of Development through the Rural Industrial Park Loan program will assist in financing the $17 million dollar project. The loan program promotes economic development by providing
low-interest direct loans to eligible applicants for financing the development and improvement of industrial parks and related off-site public infrastructure improvements. It’s part of ODD’s efforts to boost businesses and enrich communities.
“It’s very exciting,” said Matt Abbot, executive director of the Zanesville-Muskingum County Port Authority, who expects construction to begin later this year. “This has been ongoing for quite some time now. It will provide our community with a true asset that meets the true demand for speed to market.”
The new building is expected to be completed sometime in 2026. It will feature 20 dock doors, two drive-in doors, 32 feet clear height, precast concrete walls, and the ability to expand trailer parking on an 11.5-acre parcel within the 200-acre National Road Business Park. It will create at least 50 full-time equivalent jobs at the project site.
Read the full article HERE.
$2M Tax Credit Will Help Preserve Historic Downtown Building
A downtown project is one of 35 across the state awarded a tax credit from the Ohio Department of Development earlier this month as part of the Ohio Historic Preservation Tax Credit Program to preserve historic buildings and turn them into reusable space within their communities.
Justin Wagner of Eight Main LLC received a $2 million tax credit to preserve the historic Baker Brother’s Wholesale Grocery warehouse and building at 8 and 12 Main St. and turn it into a mixed-use complex.
“We were an awesome juggernaut of a city 100 years ago and it’s dwindled over the last 50 years,” said Wagner, a Rosecrans High School graduate whose family line through his great-grandparents are Zanesville residents. “My big vision is to bring it back. If Zanesville gets it right, we can be a premier community that attracts these out-of-towners (from the Intel plant) by having places like this project. It’ll showcase our downtown and maybe spur more investment. We want to do our part to make Zanesville great again.”
“The goal of the credits is to provide adaptive reuse of historic properties while maintaining the historic integrity of
the building,” said Zanesville’s Community Development Director Matt Schley. “They must keep certain aspects of the building to maintain that historic distinction and incorporate them into the space. That’s a condition of getting those credits.”
According to a news release from the ODD, the Baker Brother’s warehouse will repair and retain tin ceilings, the original, wood-framed storefront, the original freight elevator, the suspended catwalk, and the metal fire elevator door.
Located in the western gateway to downtown Zanesville and overlooking the Muskingum River and historic Y bridge, Baker Brother’s Warehouse will become a mixed-use complex with office, commercial, and residential space. “It will have 12,000 square feet of office space and 38 units of short-term housing,” said Wagner of the combined uses of both the Eight Main St. and 12 Main St. buildings. “We’ll also have one office tenant.”
To read the full article in the Zanesville Times Recorder, click HERE.
Muskingum County Awarded Grant Funding for Sewer Force Main Upgrades
Muskingum County Board of Commissioners was awarded $2 million to upgrade the existing Weber Sanitary Sewer Force Main in the eastern part of the county near the Airport Road exit affecting 1,588 people.
“(The Weber Main) is functioning, but it needs updated,” said county commissioner Cindy Cameron of the project, which will allow for the expansion of service to key areas east of the current sewer system and increase sewer capacity for future expansion and regionalization opportunities, while also eliminating environmental issues caused by line breaks.
The funds for the award were part of the sixth round of the Ohio BUILDS (Broadband, Utilities, and Infrastructure for Local Development Success) Water and Wastewater Infrastructure Grant Program. Upgrades to the Weber Force Main will directly impact the size and type of businesses the Port Authority can market to for both the National Road and Airport Business Parks.
City of Zanesville Awarded $6.4M To Transform Streetscapes, Secrest Auditorium
Secrest Auditorium and the surrounding downtown area is about to get a makeover thanks to a $6.4 million Appalachian Community Grant to fund Zanesville’s Streetscape Project.
“Our community is committed to making Zanesville The Gateway to Appalachia and a destination for tourism and leisure activities,” said Mayor Don Mason of the project that will see a brand-new outdoor plaza, ADA upgrades, and other improvements to encourage downtown recreation and spur economic development. “I don’t know that we’ve had a Governor in the last 60 years that has recognized, and then put state money to the priority of, Appalachia.”
The Appalachian Community Grant Program was instituted in 2022 by Ohio Gov. Mike DeWine, Lt. Governor Jon Husted, and Ohio Department of Development Director Lydia Mihalik in conjunction with the Ohio General Assembly.
The overall program funneled $500 million into Ohio’s 32-county Appalachian region to transform these communities through economic development projects. Competition for the grants was stiff, to the tune of more than $5B in grant requests, according to the Ohio Department of Development office.
“We appreciate that they have recognized Appalachia, which traditionally has high unemployment and lower
median income than urban areas,” said Mason. “And that they’ve recognized that they can help boost our economies by fixing up our downtowns and riverfronts.”
The Zanesville Streetscape and Secrest Auditorium project was a recipient of the Appalachian Waterfront Development money under the Appalachian Community Grant Program.
The project will involve streetscape improvements along Third Street, Fourth Street, Seventh Street, Main Street, and Shinnick, according to a news release from the mayor’s office.
“Streetscaping is a proven effective method for increasing economic prospects,” according to the news release. “The
chosen area currently lacks adequate sidewalks, lighting, and shade tree opportunities, but has multiple private redevelopment opportunities, making it an ideal target for this project.”
Secrest Auditorium is set to undergo a major renovation that will add a new grand lobby and event space, as well as public restrooms, ADA restrooms, an elevator, and escalators.
“As the largest entertainment venue in southeastern Ohio, these upgrades will allow for increased and diversified entertainment offerings, thereby boosting the economic prospects of Downtown Zanesville,” the news release read. “The auditorium currently attracts visitors from throughout the Appalachian Region, and with these improvements, it will serve as an even bigger regional draw to those in surrounding counties and beyond.”
Munson Crossing Development Will Deliver 43 New, High-Quality Affordable Apartments
Woda Cooper Companies, Inc. hosted a ceremonial groundbreaking today for Munson Crossing, a 43-unit affordable rental community now under construction in Zanesville. The co-developer for the $13.8 million community is Housing Services Alliance.
Representatives from the Ohio Housing Finance Agency, PNC Bank, and RiverHills Bank, joined
local leaders representing the City of Zanesville, the Muskingum County Land Reutilization Corporation (MCLRC), the Zanesville-Muskingum County Port Authority, and other invited guests. Participation in the Munson Crossing groundbreaking celebration spotlighted the strong collaboration and comprehensive development planning to address the needs for affordable housing in the community.
“The City is grateful to have a strong partnership with the Muskingum County Commissioners and the Muskingum County Land Reutilization Corporation,” said Mayor Don Mason “Through collaboration and a forward-thinking mindset, we have turned a long-blighted property into a new opportunity for Zanesville and Muskingum County residents.”
Munson Crossing is strategically located in the West Main Street Community Reinvestment Area (CRA) on the site of the former Munson Elementary School building, which was demolished last year. Munson Crossing will provide 14 one-bedroom units that offer 663 sq. ft.; 23 two-bedroom apartments with 858 sq. ft.; and 6 three-bedroom apartments with 1,105 sq ft. Projected rental rates range from $330 to $1025 per month, depending on the size of unit and the resident’s income, with all units reserved for tenants whose income is 30% to 80% of area median income.
Units will feature spacious floor plans with plenty of storage, and modern kitchens with ENERGY STAR appliances, including dishwashers. There will be attractive, contemporary finishes, including quality cabinetry and luxury vinyl tile flooring. Each unit will have a washer/dryer hookup. There are four units with features for residents with physical disabilities and sight/hearing disabilities.
Community amenities include a multipurpose room with kitchenette, package room, laundry room, and dedicated supportive service space. There will be an onsite leasing and management office.
Housing tax credits were allocated to Munson Crossing by Ohio Housing Finance Agency (OHFA) who also provided an equity bridge loan and will provide a second permanent mortgage. “OHFA staff and I are fortunate to attend the groundbreaking of Munson Crossing. This development is an important part of OHFA’s commitment to affordable housing in Muskingum County and Appalachian Ohio as a whole. This building will bring 43 units of affordable rental housing that will serve households across the economic spectrum. Construction would not be possible without $6.7 million in federal Low-Income Housing Tax Credits and a $5 million investment from the Ohio Housing Trust Fund. OHFA is a proud partner in this development and looks forward to seeing how it will catalyze additional investment in the community,” said Taylor Koch, Director of Multifamily Housing for the Ohio Housing Finance Agency.
PNC Bank provided $6.1 million in Low Income Housing Tax Credit (LIHTC) equity. “Access to affordable housing is a significant issue for communities across Ohio,” said Todd Krumwiede, senior vice president and regional manager of originations for PNC Tax Credit Solutions. “As a leader in developing and rehabilitating affordable housing, PNC is proud to work with Woda and Housing Services Alliance to add this new property and units for families earning 30 to 80% of the area median income.”
RiverHills Bank is construction lender. “RiverHills Bank is honored to provide a construction loan of $7.8 million for this endeavor,” said Millicent Hurtt, Vice President and Development Officer. “This investment underscores our commitment to supporting initiatives that enhance the well-being of our community members and create positive change.”
Cedar Rapids Bank & Trust will provide the first permanent mortgage. “Supporting the development of new affordable housing options is critical in our mission as a lender supporting neighborhoods and communities like Zanesville. We are pleased to provide financial support to Munson Crossing developed by Woda Cooper Companies and Housing Services Alliance,” said Michael J. Goerdt, Vice President, Specialty Finance Group, Cedar Rapids Bank & Trust.
Maximizing resources to ensure rents can be offered at affordable rates for lower and moderate-income residents was key to developing Munson Crossing. The MCLRC offered the property at a nominal price and Munson Crossing will also benefit from sales tax exemption issued by the Zanesville-Muskingum County Port Authority for building materials purchased in Muskingum County.
Additionally, the Ohio Department of Development’s CRA program enables local municipalities to encourage the development of new structures or revitalization of existing housing stock by providing a real estate tax exemption for 100% of the increase in value for 15 years.
“The development of Munson Crossing is built upon a clear vision and commitment by Ohio Housing Finance Agency, the City of Zanesville, and Muskingum County to address housing needs for all residents,” said Jonathan D. McKay, Vice President – Development for Woda Cooper Companies. “Munson Crossing will bring an excellent new option for affordable housing in Zanesville that will offer space and amenities suited for families with children, along with units for singles or those with disabilities.”
Architecture for Munson Crossing is being performed PCI Design Group, Inc. with civil engineering by Chadan Engineering, Inc. Woda Construction, Inc. is the general contractor. Leasing and property management will be performed by Woda Management & Real Estate. For more information about the property, call 740-825-7539 or visit www.wodagroup.com.
Two New Housing Developments Coming to Zanesville
- Munson Crossing will offer fourteen (14) one-bedroom units, twenty-three (23) two-bedroom units and six (6) three-bedroom units for a total of 43 units.
- The development will include the demolition of the former Munson School, located at 109 Brighton Blvd. Zanesville, OH 43701.
- The property will provide affordable workforce housing that will be geared toward a variety of residents: young professionals, single-parent households, small-to-large families and even seniors.
- The combined project will foster services to support families, aging-in-place, and workforce housing concepts.
- Zane Commons will offer fourteen (14) one-bedroom units,
twenty-four (24) two-bedroom units and six (6) three-bedroom units for a total of 44 units. - The development will include the demolition of the former McKinley School, located at 1428 SHARON AVE ZANESVILLE, OH 43701.
- Zane Commons will target households with incomes at 30% to 80% of area median gross incomes.
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2023 Archived News
More Than $20M In Capital Investments & 100 Jobs Coming To Area
New businesses are coming to Zanesville in the new year, bringing many more jobs to the area. Dunkin,’ which is currently under construction, is just one of them. Others have completed the permit process to be build new or remodeling existing structures in the area. They will each bring between 10 to 50 jobs each to the area.
Construction for the new Dunkin,’ formerly known as Dunkin’ Donuts, began last month in the former Long John Silver building. Other investments announced include:
- Bealls: 20 potential jobs, in the Northpointe Center. Bealls is a department store based in Florida that offers clothes, bed, bath and home essentials and beauty brands ($1.5M investment).
- Academy Sports + Outdoors: 60 potential jobs, in the Northpointe Center. Academy Sports is one of the largest sporting goods and outdoor stores in the country. They offer a variety of hunting, camping gear, sports and leisure products, footwear and apparel ($2M investment).
- U-Haul: 10 potential jobs, 3742 Northpoint Drive. A moving company that also offers boxes, trucks, vans and other moving supplies for do-it-yourself movers ($4.5M investment).
- VA Clinic: 50 potential jobs, off of Northpointe Drive on James Court. Provides primary care services and specialty health services for PTSD, nutrition and mental health for veterans ($12M invesment).
Single Family Tax Credit Announced
Created in the FY 2024-2025 State Budget bill, the new Single-Family Housing Tax Credit program provides $50 million a year in ten-year tax credits, for four years, to incentivize the construction of new single-family homes for Ohio’s growing workforce.
How it works: Established as a public-private partnership, the Single-Family Housing Tax Credit will bring together local government entities with a project development team (homebuilders, investors, and realtors) to identify the location and scope of construction of single-family homes in a community.
The local government entity and the development team submit a project proposal and application for tax credits to help finance the construction of the houses. Applications will be scored based on the criteria outlined in the Allocation Plan and tax credits will be competitively awarded. The tax credits may then be claimed over a ten-year period. The homes will be sold to qualified Ohio homebuyers at the construction cost.
Eligible Entities: Local government entity (county, township, municipal corporations, or regional planning commissions, community improvement corporations, economic development corporations, county land reutilization corporations or port authorities) along with a development team may submit an application.
Calculating the Tax Credit: The amount of tax credit awarded will be the appraised value of the home (after construction) minus the total cost of construction.
For more information, contact: Single Family Tax Credit Program
Congratulations to The Downtown Exchange on Ribbon Cutting
Congratulations to The Downtown Exchange! You’ve already impacted downtown Zanesville and the future is bright! Thanks to OhioSE and JobsOhio for their help making this dream a reality, and thanks to all who attended the ribbon cutting! We are proud to be home to the first completed Vibrant Communities project in SE Ohio!
J.P. Nauseef, JobsOhio speaks. Katy Farber, OhioSE. Mayor Don Mason.
Port Authority Exec. Director, Matt Abbott State Sen. Al Landis presents Dana Matz with proclamation.
Precision Welding & Installation Expanding, Constructing New Building
In order to meet growing customer demand, Precision Welding and Installation has recently announced plans to construct a new building in Hopewell Township of Muskingum County.
PWI has been delivering metal fabrication to its customers for more than a decade. The company specializes in the fabrication of structural steel, structural steel erection, mechanical equipment installation and industrial maintenance.
PWI will make a fixed assessment investment of $600,000 and will eventually create 10
new jobs while retaining six. This investment includes $400,000 for the building and $200,000 for additional machinery and welding equipment.
JobsOhio supported the project with a $25,000 JobsOhio Inclusion Grant and OhioSE assisted the company with the grant process. The Muskingum County Port Authority will provide ongoing local support to the business in the areas of workforce, financing and incentives.
“We are fortunate to continue to see innovators and entrepreneurs thrive in Muskingum County,” said Matt Abbott, port authority director. “It is exciting to see Precision Welding & Installation’s growth and success.”
Free Webinar: Energy Buying for Businesses June 20, 2023
Join RD Energy on Tuesday, June 20th at 10:00 a.m. for a webinar designed to answer timely electric questions for businesses in our community.
This webinar will focus on the following:
- Why are electric utility generation rates rising so much beginning June 2023?
- Electric Buying 101: What are you paying and for how long?
- Wholesale electric and natural gas market update…. What in the world is going on?
- How to find the best electric and natural gas price for your business….TIMING is everything. How do you find the right time?
Click HERE to Register.
Muskingum County Awarded Technical Assistance Funding for Future Projects Appalachian Community Grant Program
Muskingum County has been awarded technical assistance funding for future projects funded by the $500 million Appalachian Community Grant Program, but there is still much work to be done, said Zanesville-Muskingum County Port Authority Executive Director Matt Abbott. The Port Authority was the lead applicant for a number of applications across the county, although Muskingum University applied for a grant on its own.
The funds are the first of three grant cycles for projects “designed to bring about transformational change and be a catalyst for future development by providing generational investments in the Appalachian region,” according to the guidelines published by the Ohio Department of Development, which will oversee the grant program.
Transformational change is not a single building project or a single community project, but part of a larger-scale project in the region. Projects must influence economic and social well-being and instigate an increase in economic activity. Projects must cover one or more of three general areas: community development infrastructure, health care and workforce development.
The port authority was awarded $207,440.00 to fund design and planning for several projects. Muskingum University was awarded $83,705. Muskingum County will also likely benefit from $474,450 awarded to the Mayor’s Partnership for Progress.
The first phase of grants are technical assistance grants, which will help plan and develop projects, but the funds can’t be applied to brick and mortar, only to planning. A steering committee with representatives from the Muskingum County Commissioners Office and the City of Zanesville as well as other local organizations was formed to guide the application process. The overarching goal is to bring people into Appalachia, and keep people here,” said Matt Abbott.
Some of the plans include an Appalachian wine & beer trail, updates to theaters across the region, linking/upgrading green and blue trails, and coordinating expanded library services.
To read Chris Crook’s complete article in the Zanesville Times Recorder, click HERE.
2022 Brought $460 Million in Development
Muskingum County completed several projects in 2023, and laid the groundwork for the future.
In partnership with the City of Zanesville and various towns and villages in the county, the Zanesville-Muskingum County Port Authority − which celebrated its 35th anniversary this year − submitted a number of projects to the Ohio Department of Development in hopes of qualifying for some of the $500 million being distributed through the Appalachian Ohio Community Grant Program. The combined application will fund planning for a number of projects that will establish the area as a gateway to Appalachia, said Matt Abbott, director of the Port Authority.
The National Road Business Park, located near the Zanesville Municipal Airport, will be the site of two major business developments this year. Food manufacturer Grupo Bimbo committed to build a factory for its snack products, and the Port Authority will partner with a developer to build a spec building in hopes of attracting a new tenant.
More than $460 million of development took place in the county in 2022, Abbott said. “The best is yet to come, no question,” he said.
To read Chris Crooks complete article in the Times Recorder, click HERE.
2021 Archived News
National Road Business Park Honored as Best Site Development
Ohio Southeast Economic Development recently honored the newly completed National Road Business Park with its Best Site Development or Building Project award.
Zanesville-Muskingum County Port Authority Executive Director Matt Abbott said the award reflected the work of the all the entities that were involved in the creation of the 203-acre site. “It is exciting to get the award, and exciting to look back at all the people that have been involved to make this happen,” he said.
The park is a recruitment tool to bring additional industry and business to Muskingum County, he said, and builds on the economic development alreadyaccomplished in the county.
Several companies have toured the site, Abbott added, “so we are very excited what the future holds.”
To read the full Times Recorder Story, click HERE.
AMG Vanadium To Begin Operations This Summer
Cambridge-based AMG Vandium, the world’s leading provider in spent resid catalyst recycling and metal reclamation services, will be opening their new facility at the Eastpointe Business Park this summer. The Zanesville facility is expected to bring a total of 100 new jobs.
AMG has begun their initial phase of hiring, and there will be additional recruitment of production and maintenance team members in the coming months.
The company officially broke ground on the new $300 million facility in August 2019. The first of two phases of AMG Vanadium’s operation — the roaster and flue gas desulfurization unit, rail unloading station and spent catalyst raw material storage building — will be commissioned this spring. Operations on Phase 1 will start this summer. Completion of the second phase, the melt shop, is expected in early 2022.
AMG Vanadium President Tom Centa issued the following comment regarding job expansion in the Zanesville area: “AMG Vanadium’s business model and purpose is grounded in improving the environmental footprint of our world, and we are thrilled to have the opportunity to continue to invest in this region that we’ve called home since 1952. We remain deeply committed to our Cambridge facility and look forward to adding 100 jobs at our new $300 million Zanesville plant. The support we have received from business, civic, and governmental leaders at the local, state, and federal levels has been phenomenal, and we look forward to our continued commitment to this community for decades to come.”
Spectrum Raising Starting Wages, Adding Fifty Jobs
Spectrum’s Zanesville Inbound call center is raising its minimum starting wage to $18.00 an hour and is looking to fill 50 positions. Wages include target commissions, in addition to comprehensive company-paid benefits, including medical, life and disability, education and training and a retirement plan.
“Charter is a place where employees can continuously learn and progress in their development,” said Tom Rutledge, chairman and chief executive offer at Charter, in a press release. “Building, selling and servicing an advanced broadband network, conventional and streaming video, with fixed and wireless mobile products for home and business, creates ongoing career opportunities.”
In addition to the 50 jobs at the Zanesville Call Center, Charter is currently hiring for nearly 3,000 positions across its 41-state service area with the $18 starting wage, including 140 in Central and Southwest Ohio mostly in Columbus, Cincinnati and Dayton.
The company also offers employees a market-leading retirement plan, with a 401(k) that matches the first 6% of employee contributions, plus a Retirement Accumulation Plan with an additional 3% company contribution, for which most employees are eligible. Charter employees can also receive up to $5,250 per year in education assistance, as well as complimentary and discounted Spectrum services.
To learn more about open positions and apply online, click HERE. To read the full article in the Zanesville Times Recorder, click HERE.
New Concord To Receive Economic Development Help
Five communities in Southeast Ohio have been selected to take part in Ohio Southeast Economic Development’s Prepared Communities Program, including the Village of New Concord.
The program is a series of five sessions with Ohio Southeast and Bricker and Eckler, a Columbus legal firm. The goal is to help communities plan short-term economic projects that can be implemented in 2021 or 2022.
The sessions are a “small step to start talking about what all of the myriad of things that make up economic development in our region,” Ohio Southeast Vice President Katy Farber said. Economic development is not a one-size-fits-all proposition, said Farber, and the meetings will focus on a community’s assets.
“The program is trying to break down a sometimes overwhelming topic called economic development and have a conversation that results in an action plan for the community based on what they are, not based on what some model says they should be,” she said.
According to Farber, 98,000 people leave the region every day to work, traveling to other markets, including the Cincinnati and Columbus areas. “We want to keep them home, we want to keep people in our region, and strengthen those economies,” she said.
“Maybe an economic development plan for a community that doesn’t have any industrial area opportunities is to make sure they have a housing market, so they have a place to attract people who will be the workers for future companies in neighboring community that does have a big industrial park.”
New Concord Mayor Jennifer Lyle will bring together a team of local leaders in education, business and government during their sessions, the first of which was Tuesday. Lyle says the knowledge the group gains from sessions will help the village build a structure for economic development. “I believe the program really will be a catalyst for our community in doing the kind of economic development we talk about.”
To read the full article in the Zanesville Times Recorder, click HERE.
National Road Business Park Construction Nearly Completed
County officials are planning final touches on the National Road Business Park to sell businesses on bringing jobs to the Zanesville area.
“We’ve been very intentional about getting in front of a lot of groups and showing them what we have,” said Matt Abbott, Zanesville-Muskingum County Port Authority’s executive director.
The board recently discussed updates on the developing National Road park in Perry Township, which Abbott said is about 95% to completion.
Click HERE to read the full article from the Zanesville Times Recorder.
TechCred Application Period Now Open
The TechCred application period is open now through 3:00 pm January 29, 2021.
TechCred helps businesses upskill their current and incoming workforce with tech-focused credentials. Businesses can received up to $2,000 for each tech-focused credential earned, with a cap of $30,000 per business each application period.
Since the program’s beginning, 966 Ohio employers have been approved for funding, with 15,105 employees earning tech-focused credentials.
For additional information on the program click HERE.
2020 Archived News
Port Authority: Area Saw Nearly $106M Investment in 2020
Despite the challenges of a global pandemic, there were bright spots in 2020 for the local economy.
“In our local economy we have seen the highs and lows of what can take place as far as the business sector is concerned,” said Zanesville-Muskingum County Port Authority Director Matt Abbott. “We saw two Fortune 500 companies expand, which is a very positive thing going into 2021.”
“Small businesses have seen a lot of negative impacts as far as the pandemic is concerned,” Abbott continued. “Our office, working alongside the Chamber of Commerce has worked hard to pump out different programs that are offered through local, state and federal levels” to help small businesses.
Abbott said the Port Authority has done a number of projects to position the county to take advantage of an economic recovery, including infrastructure projects to get the National Road Business Park ready.
Dollar General invested $18 million in a new 130,000-square-foot cold storage warehouse at the company’s facility in the Eastpointe Business Park. The projected created 65 new jobs. Kellogg’s Morningstar Farms subsidiary added 40 jobs thanks to a $43 million expansion at the company’s facility off Northpointe Drive. Both projects each added $2 million in new payroll in the community.
Overall, there was $105,645,576 in investment in 2020, Abbott said. The Port Authority received $3,611,354 in grant funding this year, up from $1,624,629.14 last year.
To read Chris Crooks full article in the Zanesville Times Recorder, click HERE.
Genesis Hospital Offering Free COVID-19 Assistance to Employers and School Districts
Genesis Healthcare System has teamed up with The Chamber of Commerce, The Muskingum County 
Health Department, and Northside Pharmacies to provide COVID-19 assistance. These resources will be provided to local employers and school districts in order to keep their populations healthy and able to return to work or school as quickly and as safely as possible.
Northside Pharmacies is offering thermometers at a discounted rate, The Chamber of Commerce has workplace health and safety resources available, and The Health Department continues to contact trace. Genesis Healthcare System services include a screening protocol for symptomatic staff or students, a return to work assessment, and services for symptomatic staff or students.
Kellogg Expanding Zanesville Location - Adding 40 Full-Time Jobs
Kellogg’s, one of Muskingum County’s eight Fortune 500 employers, plans to expand its current facility by 40,000 to 50,000 square feet and add 40 full-time jobs to its current workforce this fall.
With a total investment of $43 million, $25 million for equipment and $18 million for the new facility, Kellogg will solidify its place as the anchor of the Northpointe Business Park. Along with the planned investment, the new jobs will bring an estimated $2 million in new payroll to our area. The expansion project will begin in September and is planned to be completed by December 2021.
“We are excited to see a company grow and invest,” Abbott said. “This project will also offer good opportunities for local contractors to be involved.”
Click here to read the Times Recorder article about the expansion.
National Road Business Park Receives $3.1M Grant for Business Development
JobsOhio, Ohio Southeast Economic Development (OhioSE) and the Zanesville-Muskingum County Port Authority today announced that JobsOhio is providing a $3.1 million JobsOhio grant to support development of the National Road Business Park in Muskingum County.
The funding will support preparation of the 203-acre property for building construction by business occupants. Grant funds will be used to construct an access road and make upgrades to water and sewer lines. The due diligence studies and technical reports required to develop the site have also been completed.
The result will be a business park that is fully ready to accommodate a building as large as 1 million square feet, as well as other smaller commercial and industrial facilities. Sites on the property will range in size from 3 acres to over 70 acres. The Port Authority is marketing the site to local expanding companies and working to attract new employers to the county.
“This is a huge victory for the folks of Muskingum County and Zanesville,” commented Ohio State Senator Tim Shaffer. “The work put into this project reaffirms our local leaders’ commitment to solid planning, communication, and teamwork to make our region grow. JobsOhio does not award these grants without a great deal of diligent research and confidence that goes into the selection from among the best sites in Ohio, and I am very proud of our local leaders’ efforts to make this a reality.”
“This JobsOhio grant illustrates Zanesville’s and Muskingum County’s forward-thinking stance in providing the infrastructure to build a jobs economy,” Senator Shaffer added. “This project will be crucial toward rebuilding our local and regional economy and getting folks back to work.”
“This project is yet another example of the amazing teamwork between Jobs Ohio, Ohio SE and the ZMCPA,” said Adam Holmes, Ohio House State Representative for the 97th District. “The leadership and vision of these business development leaders continues to be a powerful driver of our regional economy and a critical component of our strategic regional economic development. We are very fortunate to have these organizations leading our community’s post COVID -19 business resurgence.”
“The Zanesville-Muskingum County Port Authority and our Board of Directors are grateful for the continued support from the County Commissioners, City of Zanesville, OhioSE, and JobsOhio to create viable, shovel ready sites in Muskingum County,” said Matt Abbott, Executive Director. “All of the efforts that have gone into making the National Road Business Park a reality have been the multitude of local, regional and state organizations working together to achieve a common goal,” Abbott commented. “OhioSE and JobsOhio continues to play a critical role in our business expansion and business attraction efforts.”
Funding to improve these sites was made available through the JobsOhio/OhioSE Site Initiative, a program that started in 2018 with the goal of assisting southeastern Ohio counties by creating competitive sites capable of winning new business investments. The sites in the program were selected with the assistance of a group of southern Ohio CEOs who advised JobsOhio and OhioSE.
“We appreciate the longtime partnership with the Zanesville-Muskingum County Port Authority to move the National Road Business Park forward,” said JobsOhio President and CEO J.P Nauseef. “Once upgrades are completed, the nearly 200 acre site will boost Muskingum County’s ability compete and win more jobs and investment.”
OhioSE President Mike Jacoby praised the Port Authority for pursuing the project and thanked JobsOhio for its support. “Our region needs ready sites and buildings to be competitive in economic development,” said Jacoby. “The Port Authority, County and City have displayed great vision and a commitment to economic development with the establishment of the National Road Business Park. I am grateful to JobsOhio for believing in that vision and thrilled that OhioSE could play a part in it.”
With the planned site preparation and the completed due diligence studies, the site will be totally ready for the development of buildings by the end of this year. Several other sites in southeastern Ohio are wrapping up due diligence reviews through this initiative. These due diligence reviews include a title review, wetlands delineations, threatened & endangered species study, cultural resources report, geotechnical report, utility assessment, grading plan and engineer’s development cost estimate. Other sites in the program are currently under review and additional awards may be coming in the future for the strongest sites.
The National Road Business Park has been a cooperative effort between the Port Authority, the Muskingum County Commissioners and the City of Zanesville. The property was purchased in 2018 by the Port Authority with assistance from the Muskingum County Commissioners. The City of Zanesville will contribute toward the planned infrastructure upgrades. A Joint Economic Development District will be established at the park to help pay for maintenance and future improvements.
City of Zanesville Receives $70,000 Opportunity Zone Grant
The tracts are typically in economically distressed area. Investors invest capital gains from other projects in a fund that in turn invests in projects in the Opportunity Zones. The investor is then eligible for a tax credit equal to 10% of their investment, up to $1 million dollars during 2020-2021. Longer investments offer other tax benefits.
The Opportunity Appalachia grants are designed to help attract investment to smaller, rural areas. The City of Zanesville’s CIC office and the Port Authority worked toghether in 2018 to apply for both Opportunity Zones and then in 2019 the grant to help market them. Work is expected to begin this summer. To read the full Zanesville Times Recorder story, click here. To visit the Port Authority’s Opportunity Zone page, click here.
Spectrum Raising Wages and Hiring at Local Call Center
Read more about Spectrum’s initiatives in the Zanesville Times Recorder by clicking here.
Zanesville Named #6 Micropolitan in the U.S.
Throughout the year, the Port Authority submits information on new investment, new projects, and job creation to JobsOhio. It is then compiled by JobsOhio and sent on to Conway Data, Inc. to track in comparison to other communities on the national level.
AMG Vanadium’s decision to locate their second facility in Muskingum County played a huge part in this year’s rankings and we are excited about their future in our community. Other large projects in 2019 took place at Dollar General, Halliburton, Kenworth, and ABB Leasing.
To read more about the state, metropolitans, and micropolitans that earned ranking, visit www.siteselection.com.
To read the Zanesville Times Recorder article about ranking, visit https://www.zanesvilletimesrecorder.com/story/news/2020/03/08/business-publication-recognizes-zanesville-business-investment-growth/4937655002/
Infrastructure Investments Highlight a Decade of Growth in Muskingum County
According to Zanesville-Muskingum County Port Authority data, Muskingum County has experienced an overall positive employment increase since the start of the decade. The Port Authority’s work to attract employers started early in the decade, with the arrival of AVON and Halliburton at the Eastpointe Business Park in 2010 and 2012, respectively. These two businesses now account for ~1,400 employees.
Also in 2012, Fanatics purchased building F in the East Central Ohio Park near Frazeysburg. With over 300 full-time employees and 1,000 seasonal jobs, Fanatics has been a tremendous boost to the County’s economy.
Although manufacturing took a hit over the decade, both the transportation/warehousing and accommodation/food services industries grew by over 500 jobs in the last 10 years. That growth is demonstrated through expansions by Mattingly, Kellogg’s and Phillips Meat Processing over the past decade.
“What we’re seeing is the existing companies have made decisions to expand here, which is very healthy and what you want to have happen, and I think our role in economic development, number one, is to try to maintain the businesses and companies that we do have here,” said Matt Abbott, executive director for the Port Authority. “It’s not been a perfect scenario, there have been some losses.”
Along with Fyda Freightliner’s arrival and a significant expansion by 5 B’s during the back half of the decade, AMG Vanadium made a $300 million investment to bring a production facility to the Eastpointe Business Park and 100 new jobs with it.
Having a site ready to house a company is a crucial piece in the puzzle of attracting businesses.
“We’ve had sites for these companies to come in and locate, and a site’s just not a flat piece of ground, it requires water capacity, sewer capacity, capacity for electricity, gas, connectivity to fiber, good access,” Abbott said.
Abbott credited the investment made by the community years before the decade began with the creation of the Eastpointe Business Park, and noted the returns it continues to bring about 20 years later. Over the past decade, investment into necessary infrastructure has continued to support business growth.
“When we look at companies that are looking to come here and [AMG] recently made the decision to come here, and their capacity, they needed 100,000 gallons a day. If they ask for 100,000 gallons of water in a day and I have the ability to tell them that’s no problem, that is really a feather in our cap when it comes to the process,” Abbott said. “They’re not looking for communities to locate in, they’re looking for communities to cross off the list to narrow their search down, so when we’re able to portray that kind of capacity, it’s to our favor, and we’re going to win projects as a result.”
AMG, Dollar General and Avon are located at Eastpointe Business Park, where there’s a Joint Economic Development District. Abbott said the city invested in the site, the county provides water and sewer and the land is located in Washington Township. The JEDD encourages economic development between the municipalities, while allowing them each to collect returns on investment through tax revenue.
“We’ve done, as a community, a pretty good job of investing dollars in a wise manner to fit the needs of companies coming in, and I think over time we have seen the wins that this community has received as a result of decisions that have been made,” Abbott said.
In 2018, the Port Authority purchased 203 acres of land for nearly $3 million to start another business park, National Road Business Park. According to Abbott, the purchase was partially funded by JEDD revenue, which continues to allow the Port Authority and municipalities to spur additional growth. The Port Authority hopes to break ground at the site in spring of 2020.
“Infrastructure’s huge, you can’t downplay that, and that’s where you see a lot of communities fall short,” Abbott said. “It’s not easy for someone to make a decision that we’re gonna spend, say, $2 million to run this water line here or $3 million to upgrade this sewer line. Those are difficult decisions to make when you’re making those choices with taxpayer dollars, but there has to be a place where we can begin with the end in mind.”
Abbott said the Port Authority has attracted nearly $700 million in investment to the area, and that success is slated to continue in 2020 and beyond.
“I feel, right now, we’re in a very strong position when it comes to our economic well-being in Muskingum County and the City of Zanesville. Now, saying that, there is room for improvement and there’s room for growth,” Abbott said. “Things look positive, there’s no roadblocks that we see in the near future as far as our economic growth is concerned.”
You can read the full Times Recorder article about the growth of Muskingum County by clicking here
City of Zanesville Sees Decade of Economic Growth
The Zanesville-Muskingum County Port Authority helped attract about $650 million in county-wide industrial investment, with $84 million being invested inside the Zanesville city limits.
“We have the ability to create jobs whether it’s in the city or the county, but if it’s outside in the county specifically, there are things within the city that stand to benefit,” said Matt Abbott, Port Authority executive director. “There might not be an industrial factory put in the downtown area of the City of Zanesville, but people are going to be coming for healthcare, people are going to be coming because we’re a regional retail hub as well, and I think you see that with the retail development that’s taken place within our community.”
Regionally, Zanesville is a major hub for healthcare, as Genesis is the largest provider in a six-county region. In 2013, ground was broken for Genesis and the community raised about $16 million to help pay for the new facility, which consolidated the Bethesda and Good Samaritan Hospital campuses. A more than $200 million investment, the hospital strengthened the city’s commitment to health care, added jobs in the health care industry and equipped the city to care for more regional patients.
“We are the regional hub for health care, and that cannot be downplayed with Genesis healthcare system in our community,” Abbott said. “That is something that should never be overlooked, the power of the high-caliber healthcare system that we do have, employing around 3,000 people.”
The city of Zanesville is also a regional hub for retail trade and accommodation/food services industries, employ the second- and fourth-highest percentage of workers in Zanesville. Both industries benefit the community by not only employing workers, but, like the health care sector, by attracting people from outside the county and furthering the city’s reputation as a hub for those services.
Zanesville City Schools has evolved dramatically in the past decade, starteinga vocational agriculture program, robotics, and E-sports, programs that weren’t previously possible, according to Assistant Superintendent Steve Foreman.
“Just having the electrical outlets in the classrooms to support some of the things we’re talking about was impossible, because we didn’t have them,” he said.
In 2014, Zane State cut the ribbon on its new Advanced Science and Technology Building, and ZSC has since expanded its College Credit Plus Program to local high schools.
“When their programs improve, we’re basically feeding into their programs, so it helps us. When they become stronger, we become stronger,” Foreman said.
Going forward, the city is placing an emphasis on trade-based education. After a levy for Mid-East was passed in the fall, the school will moved forward with $13 million in improvements at its Zanesville and Buffalo campuses. ZCS also opened its vocational building this fall. Foreman said he’s been in contact with a number of local businesses and is in the process of forming partnerships with them for programs that will provide training certifications for students and lead to potential internships with area companies.
“I would say that our offerings to students are greater today than they’ve ever been,” Foreman said. “We’re really working to give students, at the end of their path here with us, more than a diploma, but a skill, a trade, something that they’re interested in that they can go off and do.”
For Foreman, the improvements to Zanesville’s educational landscape translate to city-wide growth by providing the next generation real world skills.
“Let’s do those things, because that’s going to benefit those businesses, and it’s going to benefit us, too. We’re giving those kids more than a diploma and we’re changing the culture of Zanesville.”
The city has also reaped financial benefits of industrial growth in the county, most notably through its Joint Economic Development District agreement in Washington Township — the location of Eastpointe Business Park. According to Abbott, revenue from that JEDD was used to purchase land in Perry Township for the development of the forthcoming National Road Business Park, where yet another JEDD is in the works.
“What a JEDD is able to do is allow for elected officials to make decisions and see a ROI (Return on Investment) for community dollars,” Abbott said.
As for business growth within the city, the Ohio Amended Substitute House Bill No. 166 established the Ohio Opportunity Zone Tax Credit, which offers tax incentives for eligible investments in qualified projects located in Ohio Opportunity Zones. Two opportunity zones were established in Zanesville, one in Putnam and one in the State Street and Lee Street area.
“Moving forward, there’s some real incentive for the private sector to invest in areas where those are designated,” Abbott said.
To read the Times Recorder’s full story about Zanesville’s decade of growth, click here.
2019 Archived News
Port Authority Receives ARC Grant for Eastpointe Business Park
AMG Vanadium Awarded $150,000 Grant from Ohio Rail Development Commission
On September 25, 2019, the Ohio Rail Development Commission (ORDC) approved a grant award in the amount of $150,000 to AMG Vanadium located in Zanesville, Muskingum County, Ohio. This award is part of a $300 million investment by the company that will create 100 new jobs in the area. The project involves more than $1.5 million in rail infrastructure that is required to serve AMG Vanadium’s new site in Zanesville. Construction is expected to be begin this year. Rail service will be provided by Columbus & Ohio River Railroad.
AMG is the world’s largest resid spent catalyst recycling and metal reclamation company and the largest ferrovanadium producer in the United States. AMG uses a proprietary pyrometallurgical process to recycle waste from global refineries into saleable products for carbon and stainless steel producers. AMG’s ferrovanadium and ferronickel-molybdenum products are used in various applications, including automobiles, bridges, rebar, and kitchen appliances such as dishwashers and refrigerators.
AMG’s Executive Vice President, Tom Centa, said “AMG Vanadium is committed to being the leading hazardous waste processor in the world, converting that waste into valuable products.”
Matthew Dietrich, Executive Director of the ORDC, said “this project is an excellent example of how best to leverage state funding to assist AMG Vanadium in their expansion efforts. This project provides a regional employer with the transportation options they need at their new facility,” he said.
ORDC assists Ohio companies and communities in creating and retaining jobs by preserving rail service to existing shippers and providing rail service to new customers. In addition, the ORDC funds projects to improve railroad-highway grade crossings to increase safety to the traveling public.
City of Zanesville Sees Decade of Economic Growth
On Thursday, August 8, AMG Vanadium broke ground for its new Muskingum County spent catalyst recycling plant, located in the EastPointe Business Park. Joining Company leaders at the event were representatives from federal, state and local offices along with a number of regional business and civic leaders, and AMG customers.
AMG Vanadium’s president, Hoy E. Frakes, Jr. states, “We are very pleased to be doubling our spent catalyst recycling capacity and ferroalloy production with the addition of our new Zanesville plant. AMG’s expansion would not have been possible without the strong support and endorsement that we have received from our federal Congressional delegation, the State of Ohio, and our local Muskingum and Guernsey County teams. We look forward to further cementing our presence in Southeastern Ohio.”
“This is a great day for Muskingum County. We are excited to welcome AMG Vanadium to the Eastpointe Business Park,” said Matt Abbott, Executive Director of the Zanesville Muskingum County Port Authority. “They have a proven track record in our region of being an excellent, community oriented employer that will benefit our community for years to come.”
AMG’s Muskingum County plant will create approximately 100 new production and management jobs in addition to 500-600 temporary construction jobs. Construction is slated to begin this summer with completion of Phase I of the project expected by the end of 2020. Overall project completion is expected in 2021.
United Candle Company Coming to Muskingum County
USA Tealights, LLC, a 20-year old candle manufacturer located in Avenel, New Jersey, has recently formed a new company, United Candle Company LLC, and will begin doing business in Ohio. Major customers include well known brand name retailers, independent retailers and wholesalers, as well as a private label division that makes candles for other companies.
The Lumi-Lite Candle Company in Muskingum County closed at the end of January and planned to auction all of its assets, but United Candle is buying Lumi-Lite’s equipment, leasing their building and moving manufacturing from New Jersey to Ohio to operate as United Candle Company.
Relocating to Ohio is appealing to USA Tealights for two major reasons: first, they can more quickly expand production since the former Lumi-Lite plant is well designed, equipped and ready to restart after some maintenance and repairs. Second, the cost of operations are significantly less in Ohio compared to where they are now located in northern New Jersey, close to Manhattan.
United Candle will create 100 new jobs with $4M in new payroll. The company plans to invest $1,815,000 in fixed assets such as new packaging equipment and building upgrades. JobsOhio and the State of Ohio are supporting the project with a $125,000 JobsOhio Grant and a 6-year Jobs Creation Tax Credit.
“The American consumer is recognizing the advantages of buying products Made In USA by American workers using American raw materials, and Ohio provides the perfect venue to provide a high quality product to this ever growing market”, said Avery Engel, President of the new United Candle Company.
“We are excited to welcome United Candle Company to Muskingum County,” said Matt Abbott, Executive Director of the Port Authority. “Norwich has had a long, rich history in the candle industry and we are pleased to see it continue.”
USA Tealights’ strong existing relationships with major customers and real potential for sales growth is driving the need for additional production capacity. Those major buyers prefer to deal with a full-line candle supplier to reduce their number of vendors. As a result, USA Tealights has been making plans to expand from primarily tealight manufacturing into other candle types, such as pillar, votive, taper and filled candles.
The idled Lumi-Lite machinery and equipment is designed to produce those different types. With this acquisition and relocation, USA Tealights can expand their product line, meet the needs of their existing customers, and grow their sales.
Port Authority Recognized at APEG/API's First Annual Meeting
The Zanesville Muskingum County Port Authority was awarded 2019 Best Real Estate 
Project at APEG/API’s First Annual Meeting on June 25 in Cambridge, Ohio. The award was presented for the creation of the National Road Business Park, Muskingum County’s fourth business park, located in Perry Township. The 203 acre Park is slated to begin preliminary site development in 2020.
APEG provides economic development assistance to 25 rural counties in Eastern and Southern Ohio. The purpose of the meeting is to share the successes since APEG’s inception and present the final Regional Economic Development Prosperity Plan.
You can read the article from the Times Recorder by clicking here.
AMG Vanadium Building New Plant in Muskingum County
AMG Vanadium, the world’s leading provider of resid spent catalyst recycling and metal reclamation services, has purchased a site for its second spent catalyst recycling facilityin Muskingum County’s Eastpointe Business Park. The facility will create approximately 100
new production and management jobs in addition to 500-600 temporary jobs during
construction.
and be completed the second half of 2020. Overall project completion, including construction of the
ferroalloy production facility, is expected in 2021.
County”, said Cindy Cameron, President of the Muskingum County Commissioners. “With Matt Abbott and Amy Young at the Port Authority, the County Commissioners, the Mayor,and the Washington Township Trustees, we were fortunate to welcome AMG to Eastpointe Business Park and to our community.”
to come.”
Stewart Glapat Corporation Recognized
Pictured (left to right): Dr. Chad Brown, President Zane State College; Dana Matz, President Zanesville Muskingum County Chamber of Commerce; Matt Abbott, Executive Director Zanesville Muskingum County Port Authority; David Stewart, Director of Sale & Executive V.P. Stewart Glapat Corp.; Amy Stewart-Smith, President and C.F.O. Stewart Glapat Corp.; and United States Senator Rob Portman
The Stewart Glapat Corporation was recognized on Friday April 26th by the Eastern Ohio Development Alliance (EODA) for “Excellence in Technology” at their Quarterly Meeting in Walnut Creek, Ohio. The Stewart Glapat Corporation is a fourth generation, family-owned and operated business that has been designing and manufacturing specialized equipment in Zanesville, OH for 79 years. The company has made it a practice to work with Zane State College and Mid-East Career and Technology Center, both located in Zanesville, Ohio, to recruit employees.
The Excellence in Technology Award recognizes excellence for entrepreneurs promoting technology including employment growth or job creation, innovation programs involving employees and community projects, new technological expansion, community service encouragement and activities which have resulted in statewide, national or international attention for the region. Regional Representatives served as the selection committee. To be eligible, the nominees were required must be located in the 16 county EODA region.
Executive Director Matt Abbott emphasized, “It is always exciting and rewarding to see a family owned and operated business receive special recognition.The Stewart Glapat Corporation has not only been providing solid employment opportunities for the area for 80 years, they have embraced our community and continue to make it a better place.”
The Eastern Ohio Development Alliance is an independent, not-for-profit association of business, industry, organizations, government and individuals dedicated to advocating public/private sector partnerships which stimulate economic development and the overall enhancement of regional quality of life. EODA developed a series of regional awards to recognize excellence in a given pursuit including business startup or growth, employment growth or job creation, innovative programs involving employees and community projects, new product or program development resulting in expansion and community service encouragement. Click here to learn more about EODA.