CONNEAUT — A partnership that spans state lines is laying the foundation for the rebirth of Conneaut’s port, officials said.
Recently, the Conneaut Port Authority and Economic Development Corporation of Erie County, Pa., entered into a “memorandum of understanding” regarding future projects, said Joseph Raisian, port authority member.
By joining forces, the entities increase their chance of landing government dollars, as well as mustering political and regulatory clout to launch development projects, some already in the hopper.
“It’s incredibly exciting,” said Raisian, chairman of the Conneaut port panel’s economic development committee.
The agreement, formalized late last month, is mutually beneficial, Raisian said.
“(The entities) recognize the potential of our ports to grow a regional shipping and logistics industry,” he said. “We both understand the region’s economic workforce doesn’t stop at municipal or state boundaries.”
Both groups share a “common purpose,” Raisian said, “to grow the region’s economy.”
As a team, the two groups are meeting with federal and state agencies. Raisian and others met recently with U.S. Rep. Steven LaTourette, R-OH, and a session is ahead with representatives of U.S. Sen. Sherrod Brown, D-OH.
The Conneaut group is looking at specific projects but cannot divulge details, citing confidentiality agreements, members have said. Last year, officials toured the Pittsburgh and Conneaut Dock Co., which is owned by CN, the Canada-based transportation giant. Local leaders declined to discuss specifics of that tour, saying only it dealt with a development project.
Raisian said the authority is looking at “recreational” and “commercial” projects involving the port but couldn’t elaborate.
“We have so many irons in the fire,” he said.
Recently, grant money obtained by the port authority helped finance a study that demonstrated the viability of investing in the Port of Conneaut.
“Our port is ready for anything and everything the market can throw at us,” Raisian said. “It’s one of the best ports on the lake, and the beauty of it is it’s owned by CN. The whole purpose of the study is to show CN the potential of revitalizing the port.”
Despite rumors and rumblings, CN has no intention of shutting down the dock company, Raisian said. The port authority’s message to CN is “we want you to stay in Conneaut, and we want you to grow,” he said.
The partnership with Erie County has “political and financial advantages,” said Ohio State Rep. Deborah Newcomb, D-Conneaut, who has been involved in the dialogue.
“It could be the shot in the arm we’ve needed,” she said.
Both groups have similar goals and objectives, Newcomb said.
“It’s the perfect marriage,” she said. “They have a lot in common in that area.”
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