Port Authority Continues to Support Existing Local Companies

ZANESVILLE, Ohio – Zanesville-Muskingum County Port Authority signed a memorandum of understanding for a Community Development Financial Institutions group.

The group will go out and search for money to help existing local companies with financing, grants, and investors. Executive Director Matt Abbott said that port authority has three focuses within the company.

“Our number one focus is existing companies. 60% of jobs created on a annual basis are generally created by existing companies that are here so we have a business retention and expansion program where we get out and we’re knocking on doors and setting up meetings with our largest employers and our county to get a feel for the problems or issues they might be having within their organization,” Abbott said.

They also want to hear about the good things happening within the organizations. In 2018, as part of the retention and expansion program the Port Authority saw a significant investment and helped local companies. They even helped one organization with a grant for $350,000.

“Without going out and working with those companies and offering that assistance because there are programs out there that companies are focused on what they’re trying to do, they’re focused on their business, they’re focused on their expertise. It’s our job and responsibility to get out and communicate the programs that are available at the local, state and federal level to assist those employers to basically invest in our community and create jobs in our community,” Abbott said.

For more information on what the Zanesville-Muskingum County Port Authority does, visit their website.