HEATH-NEWARK-LICKING COUNTY PORT AUTHORITY
                      PUBLIC INFORMATION PROGRAM


FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE					CONTACT:
July 26, 2004		        Rick Platt, 740-788-5500 ext. 35

             ONLINE AUCTIONS PROVE TO BE WINNER FOR PORT AUTHORITY
       High Tech Move Results in Increased Revenue, Improved Efficiencies

HEATH – The Heath-Newark-Licking County Port Authority went high tech in a way to 
increase revenue and improve efficiency, and it’s worked.  According to a report 
on the move to online auctions as a way to sell excess government property, the 
Port Authority has increased auction sales revenue by 340%, opened more space for 
leasing, and reduced manpower dedicated to property sales.

One of the duties of the Port Authority, as property manager of the Base Campus 
of the Central Ohio Aerospace and Technology Center, includes disposing of 
property no longer needed by Boeing, Bionetics, and other tenants.  In the full 
year since implementation of online auctions, the Port Authority has sold a total 
of 155 items and collected over $46,000 in net sales revenue.

The Port Authority, among the first governments in Ohio to use online auctions at 
GovDeals.com, first tested web-based auctions in July 2003.  Previously, the Port 
Authority had an annual on-site, absolute auction that averaged $13,595 a year 
over four years.

“Unlike most port authorities, we do not receive any government subsidy.  That 
means, just like any small business, we have to be constantly looking for ways 
to increase revenue through innovation and productivity,” said Rick Platt, 
Executive Director.  “Small businesses have found online sales as a way to 
increase income.  Why shouldn’t government too?”

In addition to increasing revenue from sales, the Port Authority has realized 
benefits from improved efficiency.  Online sales have reduced the manpower 
dedicated to property sales.  Also, building space previously dedicated to 
warehousing excess property for on-site auctions have been leased out to paying 
customers.

“Two small businesses are now paying to lease space that was previously used 
for warehousing items for an on-site auction,” said Platt.  “Plus, now, our 
staff can post items for sale and arrange hand over to the buyer without ever 
taking possession of the item from our tenants.  Before, we had to move the 
item, store it, and then move it again in order to arrange for its sale.  The 
efficiency improvements are easy to see.”

The report concludes that revenue from online sales have been boosted by 
making the items available to be sold greater distances and selling items that 
were once considered unsellable.  Additionally, the Port Authority’s Auction 
Alert, an online mailing list, boosts sales through electronic notices to 
regular bidders.  Bidders can automatically subscribe at hnlcpa.com/auction. 

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