What is the Zanesville-Muskingum County Port Authority?

ZANESVILLE, Ohio – The Zanesville-Muskingum Port Authority met Wednesday morning to share updates on the budget, strategy, and the organization’s current status.

The port authority exists to facilitate community and economic development in the county and Executive Director Eric Reed explains how the Zanesville-Muskingum Port Authority accomplishes those goals.

“So our main charge is to attract and retain business investment in Muskingum County, as well as create a business-friendly climate to attract those investments and retain jobs and create new jobs. So we’re operationally funded by the city of Zanesville and Muskingum County. So we work every day to facilitate that work.”

The port authority has many abilities to facilitate business investment, such as constructing facilities, issuing bonds, making loans, and selling or buying real property. One of the practices that the Zanesville-Muskingum County Port Authority has is called a B.R.E. program.

“We do a B.R.E. program, business, retention, expansion, where we go out and visit current businesses in the county to understand needs, successes, concerns, understand how we can be helpful. And establish a line of communication that we’re here to support them and for their potential expansions, or needs, or things to support other investment and their commitment to Muskingum County. ”

Some outcomes from these visits include connecting businesses with grants based on their needs and eligibility. You can learn more by visiting the Zanesville-Muskingum Port Authority’s website.