Southern Ohio Port Authority

05/18/2026

The regularly scheduled meeting of the Southern Ohio Port Authority has been moved from Monday, May 18th at 6:00 pm to Friday, May 22nd at 9:00 am.

05/07/2026

Please see the attached informational flyer provided by Google representation regarding next week's community informational fair.

05/06/2026

04/21/2026

Today we announced $7.3 million in grants to help 32 counties tear down unsafe, blighted buildings and prepare those sites for new opportunities.

We created the Building Demolition and Site Revitalization Program in 2021 to make room for new economic development by razing dilapidated commercial and residential buildings and revitalizing surrounding properties throughout the state.

To date, the program has invested more than $310 million to support nearly 6,200 demolition projects across every county in the state.

➡️ https://bit.ly/3QzsljA

04/18/2026

The City of Portsmouth has announced a multi-year roadway resurfacing plan aimed at improving streets across the city through 2028, officials said.

04/16/2026

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Scioto County Commissioners Announce $29 Million in Paving Completed Through the Countywide Paving Program and Top-Scoring OPWC Application

Scioto County officials announced today the continued success of the Countywide Paving Program, a program authorized by the Scioto County Commissioners.

The program, which began in 2017, is a collaborative effort between the County, the City of Portsmouth, the villages of New Boston and South Webster, and all townships in the county to make roads smoother and safer throughout the county. It allows multiple local entities to jointly apply for Ohio Public Works Commission (OPWC) grant funding to offset the high cost of roadway construction.

Under the program, the County serves as the lead agency and administers all aspects of the project. By bidding projects together under a single contract, the County and its partners achieve cost savings and make more efficient use of public funds. This approach also strengthens the application and improves its competitiveness in the OPWC grant process.

Since its inception, the program has delivered significant results across Scioto County, including:

• Achieved $29 million in total paving contract value since 2017 and paved over 800 roads
• Secured $11.6 million in OPWC funding, including $4,279,299 for townships; $1,585,000 for the City of Portsmouth; and $482,875 for the villages of New Boston and South Webster
• Completed paving projects on Chillicothe Street and Kinneys Lane and waterline upgrades along Calverts Lane and Washington Boulevard

For 2026, Scioto County successfully secured an additional OPWC grant in a competitive funding environment, with the application earning the top score in the district. The project agreement is expected to be released July 1, with total grant funding of $1,140,000.

County officials emphasized that the program’s success is the direct result of strong collaboration among local governments.

“This program demonstrates what can be accomplished when local elected officials work together toward a common goal,” stated Commissioner Merit Smith. “It costs approximately $100,000 to pave one mile of roadway, and this program helps offset some of that cost,” Smith added. “The program is a win-win for all involved and is a great example of how local officials can work together to get results for our community,” stated Commissioner Will Mault.

If anyone has any questions or concerns, please contact the County Commissioners’ Office at 740-353-8313

03/26/2026

📣 HIRING: Scioto County Economic Development Corporation (SCEDC) is seeking a dedicated and forward-thinking Economic Development Director to guide their community's economic growth and vitality. This leadership role is responsible for advancing policies and programs that promote job creation, strengthen local businesses, and attract new investment while preserving the unique character and values of the community.

Learn more about this position:https://cdn.sanity.io/files/7q8rgv6f/production/ea94ca84a392ae28c9792fddc86b8e4024e1d23a.pdf

03/21/2026

With the Announcment in Piketon today of the $33Billion Natural Gas Power Plant, and $500 Billion PORTS Technology Center, with added investment of over the next several years of $1.5 Trillion, our region will be changed Forever.

From the 35,000 construction jobs, to the 2500 permanent jobs, we as a community stand in the center of Energy Creation and Technological Advancement.

Our community and our partnerships are poised to take advantage of this historic development of one of the largest construction projects in human history, Right Here in Southern Ohio.

I look forward to the continued partnerships and collaboration while we work through how we can support this growth through further economic and community development.

It was a great day of optimism and excitement.

03/21/2026

11/14/2025

The SOPA meeting for Monday, November 17th has been cancelled. We will meet for our next scheduled meeting on December 15th.