FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
September 29, 2011

HEATH, OHIO – The Heath-Newark-Licking County Port Authority, Boeing, Bionetics, AFMETCAL, Goodrich, the local chapter of the National Association of Retired Federal Employees, and the personnel of the Central Ohio Aerospace and Technology Center are hosting an event to mark the occasion of 15 years since privatization-in-place of the former Newark Air Force Base and to kick off the anniversary of 50 years since guidance system and metrology work first came to Heath.

The event, dubbed the 15-Year, 50-Year Celebration and Open House takes place on the campus of the Aerospace Center in Heath on Saturday, October 8 from 12:30 to 4:30 p.m. The event is open to the public.

U.S. Senator Sherrod Brown is scheduled to provide the keynote address for a ceremony scheduled to begin at 11:30 a.m. the same day. Senator Brown will be preceded by remarks from company and public officials. The ceremony will include recognition for the longest-serving personnel and those people in attendance who trace their service back to 1962, the beginning year of the Newark Air Force Base.

“No single one of us owns this history. Collectively, though, we all do,” said Port Authority CEO Rick Platt. “We see the day as a chance to not only reflect on our past, but to open the doors and give the community a chance to join us in a glimpse into an even brighter future.”

The event is a family-friendly event with free parking. The celebration and open house starts at 12:30 and will continue throughout the day until 4:30 p.m. Activities include tours of the Boeing 3D virtual reality lab and the new Horton Building. Hands-on science and technology activities will accompany product displays and historical photo displays. A Velvet Ice Ceam ice cream social and science shows by The Works are also among the activities planned.

Entrance to the campus will be off of Irving Wick Drive West at the Aerospace Center’s North Entry. More information is available online at hnlcpa.com/openhouse.