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Athens County commissioners approve support letter for port authority's AEP grant request to upgrade power for speculative building
Summary
The Board unanimously approved a letter supporting the Athens County Port Authority's application to AEP's Strategic Investment Program for electrical upgrades to a speculative industrial building; the port authority says the tenant would create 50 jobs and about $1.75 million in payroll in its first three years.
At its March 31 meeting the Athens County Board of Commissioners unanimously approved and signed a letter of support for the Athens County Port Authority's application to AEP Ohio's Strategic Investment Program (SIP) to fund electrical upgrades for a speculative building completed in May 2025.
The letter, prepared by Auditor Jill Davidson and signed by Board President Lenny Eliason, Vice-President Charlie Adkins and Commissioner Chris Chmiel, says the Port Authority completed a speculative building and is in lease negotiations with a company in a priority industry sector. The packet states the prospective tenant is a 24/7 plastics manufacturing operation that, according to the Port Authority, has committed to creating 50 new jobs over 50 years and about $1.75 million in payroll in its first three years, contingent on adequate electrical service.
Board members voted to submit the support letter to AEP as presented. Commissioners discussed coordination with local economic development partners and the Port Authority's role as the county's site development arm; no county financial commitment was recorded in the minutes.
The letter frames the requested electrical upgrade as directly supporting economic development and job creation and asks AEP to consider the Port Authority's SIP application. The board's approval was recorded by roll call.
