Readers, especially jobless ones, can be excused for thinking they’ve heard this before, but the prospect of a final announcement on a new Wilmington Air Park hangar for aircraft maintenance and painting is now so close you can almost hear newly hired craftsmen whistling while they work.
Key developments this week include a Wednesday commitment from Clinton County commissioners to provide a $250,000 grant to assist with financing, and a Tuesday decision by the Wilmington Community Improvement Corporation (CIC) to donate $125,000 toward the project.
According to Clinton County Port Authority Chairman John Limbert, the two remaining steps are, first, for the Port Authority and Wilmington City Schools to jointly establish an economic development tool called a TIF — Tax Incremental Financing — for the project and, second, for the Air Transport Services Group (ATSG) board to approve the project.
The second step is anticipated to take place next Friday, Sept. 30. Preliminary discussions have begun on the first step, said Limbert, who doesn’t appear to believe the school TIF issue will be a roadblock.
Airborne Maintenance & Engineering Services (AMES) wants to expand its hangar capacity at the air park and AMES executives earlier this year forecast 259 new jobs can be created at the air park if a new $15.7 million hangar can be financed and built.
The new jobs are projected to include 235 skilled technician jobs and 24 administrative and support staff positions.
In April, there was talk of possible construction later this year, but the financing structure has proven to be intricate.
This week’s grant from the county is payable to the Port Authority between now and December 2012.
When Limbert announced the county grant Wednesday at the Port meeting, there was applause from the audience of 25 people.
Wilmington CIC Executive Director David Bailey addressed the Port Authority on Wednesday concerning the Wilmington CIC donation.
“Two hundred and fifty-nine well-paying jobs will be added to our local economy. That will also enhance tax revenue to our school district and the city and the county. I want to compliment the Port Authority for many, many months of negotiation,” said Bailey.
Bailey said he’s looking forward to “getting this baby put to bed.”
The city of Wilmington previously gave $150,000 to the project, which Limbert said Wednesday will be used as equity capital and to pay licensing fees.
Wilmington Mayor David Raizk said Wednesday evening, “We’re very excited about this project. The city was one of the first to contribute to the Port and we’re excited all the partners are now in, including the CIC and commissioners to bring this project to a reality. It will do a great deal to create jobs soon and show real progress at the air park.”
The mayor said the city’s contribution does not come from the town’s General Fund.
Rather the money, he said, is economic development funds from an old Caesar Creek water line project — dollars that can only be used for economic development.
Another announcement Wednesday pertained to the master lease at the air park of ATSG — the parent company of AMES.
Limbert said one of AMES’ requirements for a financing outcome is a lease rate of about $9.50 per square foot, and ATSG is able to do that by lowering AMES’ overall lease on current hangar usage.
“We’re negotiating the dollar amount for a period not to exceed five years,” Limbert said.
In exchange for that, the Port Authority asked ATSG to extend the company’s master lease with the Port from the current nine-year period to a 23-year period.
“What that does is solidify ATSG, not only for the nine-year period but the next 14 years after that. I think that’s a real statement for ATSG to make, that they’re committed to the long term,” Limbert said.
State Rep. Cliff Rosenberger (R-Clarksville) was present Wednesday.
“This is what it’s about — teamwork, getting all these players together, revitalizing our community and bringing jobs to Clinton County. That’s a great thing to happen today,” said Rosenberger.
The job-creating project would enjoy a substantial boost from public subsidy, in particular funds from the state of Ohio in the form of bonds, loans and grants.
The proposed hangar already has a suggested name — the JUMP hangar, with JUMP standing for Joint Use Maintenance and Painting. Under the pending financing package, the Port Authority will own the facility, which will be leased to AMES as tenant.
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