FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
August 12, 2009

HEATH, OHIO – The Heath-Newark-Licking County Port Authority announced that it has signed an agreement with The Boeing Company which will extend Boeing’s current lease with the Port Authority for office and manufacturing space at the Central Ohio Aerospace and Technology Center in Heath through 2014 with an option through 2018. The lease provides steady costs to Boeing and a projected $13 million in total revenue to the Port Authority.

Boeing’s presence at Heath dates back to 1996 when it joined in the nationally-recognized privatization-in-place of the former Newark Air Force Base.

The lease extension brought encouraging news for both Boeing and the Port Authority.

"This new lease is important to Boeing as we maintain our existing work and continue to grow the business," said Boeing Center Director Charles Dutch. "It gives us the opportunity to seek new repair and production work. Additionally, this new lease helps lower costs as we continue to provide our customers with superior products at competitive prices. Together, the Port Authority and The Boeing Company continue our partnership, enabling both of us to reach our business objectives."

The Boeing Company is among the largest employers in Licking County and currently employs 560 in Heath.

“This is a tremendous milestone for the Port Authority and the community,” said Heath-Newark-Licking County Port Authority President and CEO Rick Platt. “The Port Authority sees its job as helping its customers be competitive by controlling our costs. This extension promises no cost increase through 2018. Thus, we are pleased that we can proceed with this extension and deliver a business climate for stable, high-tech jobs for years to come.”

The Port Authority owns and manages the Central Ohio Aerospace and Technology Center in Heath and is the fourth-largest port authority in Ohio. For more information, visit the Port Authority’s web site at http://www.hnlcpa.com.