Port Authority Prepares to Launch New Website
Today the Zanesville-Muskingum County Port Authority provided a glimpse of its new website during the Port Authority Board meeting.
Once publicly launched later this month, the new website will be the cornerstone of marketing efforts for the Port Authority. The Port Authority works to retain and expand existing businesses as well as attract new businesses to Zanesville and Muskingum County. The new website will allow users to easily access relevant data in a timely fashion. Data on the website will include: labor force information, maps, a sites and buildings database, education and training information, operating cost information, demographics, incentive information and links to other resources.“In addition to the typical economic development information, we also try to show visitors what distinguishes Zanesville and Muskingum County from 'Any Place, USA,'" said Port Authority Executive Director Mike Jacoby. "Every community says they have hard workers and great quality of life. I think what makes this community different is the our track record of leadership and innovation, which we call ‘trailblazing’ on the website."
Featured "trailblazing" characteristics on the website include the National Road, John Glenn, the first American to orbit Earth, The Wilds, which converted strip-mined land into the largest nature preserve in the country, consistent designation as a top Micropolitan community for business investment, and the growing focus on higher education including Zane State College’s new STEMM Center and Advanced Energy program.
The funding to develop the website came from two grant sources: the Muskingum Growth Partnership, which is part of the Zanesville-Muskingum County Chamber of Commerce, and AEP Ohio.
"We could not have built this website without the generous support of the Muskingum Growth Partnership and AEP Ohio," Jacoby said. "Also, I want to acknowledge Doug Rider for his expert web design and Joe Clark who provided many of the wonderful photographs used on the site."
AEP Ohio provided a $2,500 grant for the project. AEP Ohio’s Economic Development Assistance Grant Program supports projects that promote the retention and attraction of manufacturing jobs and investment. Since the grant program began in 2005, AEP Ohio has awarded 141 grants totaling $321,875 to support projects in communities and counties throughout its service territory.
"We are pleased to be able to provide financial support to help facilitate economic development projects that help to bring jobs and prosperity to local communities," said Joe Hamrock, AEP Ohio president and chief operating officer.
AEP Ohio provides electricity to nearly 1.5 million customers of major AEP subsidiaries Columbus Southern Power Company and Ohio Power Company in Ohio, and Wheeling Power Company in the northern panhandle of West Virginia. AEP Ohio is based in Gahanna, Ohio, and is a unit of American Electric Power.
The Port Authority plans to publicly launch the site before the end of the month.