Port Authority explores Eastpointe Business Park for expansion

ZANESVILLE, Ohio- The Eastpointe Business Park may be expanding in the future.

The Zanesville-Muskingum County Port Authority conducted a survey to explore the possibility of expansion at the 1,200-acre business park.

Matt Abbott, executive director of the Port Authority, said they specifically looked at the area west and south of the Avon Distribution Center.

“It [the survey] was to see what the cost would be for us per acre to get sites shovel ready to go,” said Abbott. “Those are some strip mine and surface mine sites so we know there are going to be some issues that could arise with that, but we’ve got a grant, and we’re going to evaluate what we’ve found.”

The grant is a local one through the Ohio Cooperatives Association, according to Abbott. He said the choice to develop current business parks

He said the choice to develop current business parks is the most efficient one because the infrastructure is already in place with capacities for water, sewer, electric, fiber and gas.

“You know running infrastructure is a difficult job, a difficult business, and it costs a lot a lot of money. So to be able to capitalize on investment that’s taken place over the last decade sometimes over the last 25 years is what we’re really trying to continue to do,” said Abbott.

He said the project would cost a total of $5 million to complete in its entirety.