Williams County Port Authority
An Ohio Port Authority is an independent unit of local government created by one or more of a townships, villages, cities or counties by resolution or ordinance under Ohio Revised Code Section 4582. Once created, a Port Authority is not a part of the governmental unit(s) which created the Port Authority. A Port Authority is a public or semi-public entity that is re
sponsible for managing and improving the construction and maintenance of infrastructure, the leasing or concessionary provision of this infrastructure to private companies, and the growth and competitiveness of the local economy. The Port Authority also facilitates economic activity, capital investment, and job creation and retention. For example, Port Authorities in Ohio have helped develop housing, recreational facilities, industrial sites, and transportation facilities. As entities, port authorities combine public and private goals and can be characterized as hybrid or shared value organizations. In 2018, Williams County, Ohio completed a Housing Opportunities Assessment to identify housing opportunities and strategies to facilitate housing development within the county. The Housing Opportunities Assessment identified that a market exists to support an additional 300 to 450 housing units and “displays all the tell-tale signs of a housing market poised for growth”. The Williams County Port Authority wishes to support economic development and county communities by facilitating, promoting and helping to advance the development of residential housing in Williams County. The Williams County Port Authority can pursue other opportunities as they may appear that serve to enhance the quality of life and/or the economic attractiveness of Williams County. The overarching goal is to attract and retain jobs, investments and support the housing opportunities in Williams County communities. Mid-2021, the Commissioners tasked the Williams County Port Authority to come up with a plan to help with the County’s housing shortage and help to spark economic development.
