Congressman Mike Turner hailed the announcement of a $294,000 grant to the Clinton County Port Authority of Wilmington, Ohio to develop a marketing redevelopment and re-use plan for the former DHL Airpark.
Congressman Mike Turner hailed the announcement of a $294,000 grant to the Clinton County Port Authority of Wilmington, Ohio to develop a marketing redevelopment and re-use plan for the former DHL Airpark. The grant comes from the U.S. Commerce Department’s Economic Development Administration (EDA).“Members of the Wilmington community have been looking for opportunities to get back to work following the closure of the DHL Airpark and these funds will help that effort. Finding new and innovative ways to repurpose this facility, shows the potential of not just Wilmington, but Southwest Ohio when it comes to economic opportunities for our nation’s job creators,” said Congressman Turner.
This latest announcement follows efforts by Congressman Turner and the Ohio delegation to help revitalize the Wilmington economy. This includes a 2008 economic development grant to find new uses for the Wilmington Airpark and testimony before the House Judiciary Committee opposing the DHL-UPS deal which resulted in the loss of the DHL hub at Wilmington. A marketing and redevelopment plan will allow the Clinton County Port Authority to determine potential re-use alternatives that will seek to replace the 6,000 jobs lost when DHL ceased operations in January of 2010.
“We welcome businesses looking for opportunities to start or expand their operations, and there’s no better place than Southwest Ohio. We have a vibrant and talented workforce looking to get to work, and to help companies succeed in this competitive economy,” added Turner.