Blanchard Valley Port Authority

The Blanchard Valley Port Authority was created in November, 2007 by action of the City of Findlay Council and the Board of Hancock County Commissioners. Once created, the Port Authority is a separate, independent unit of local government and not part of the state, county, or city governments.

Under Ohio law, the Port Authority can participate in activities that “enhance, foster, aid, provide, or promote transportation, economic development, housing, recreation, education, governmental operations, culture, or research.” The Port Authority can finance, own, or lease land, buildings, and equipment.

The vision of the Port Authority is to improve the economic health of the Hancock County area through the retention and creation of jobs and injection of private capital investments, and the mission is to provide assistance to private and public entities using all elements of the Ohio Port Authority Act and the Ohio Constitution.

The focus of the Port Authority is on Hancock County projects. However, under Ohio Law, any Ohio Port Authority can consider projects anywhere in the State if the Port Authority enters into a cooperative agreement with another unit of government where the proposed project is located.

Involving the Port Authority could be a “tie-breaker” for any project of $1.5 million or higher.