About Us

The Southeastern Ohio Port Authority (SeOPA) is a statutory agent of Washington County created by the County Commissioners. Our mission is to “enhance and encourage the vitality and competitiveness of the Washington County business environment as well as to be a catalyst for job creation and investment by businesses, industries and entrepreneurs.”

Port authorities were originally created to operate actual maritime ports, lake and river ports, as well as airports. Over time, the legal powers of ports have proven useful in serving the public interest for economic development as well as navigation. While SeOPA does not operate a traditional port, under the Ohio Revised Code, port authorities are given certain powers in the areas of real estate development, financing and management of foreign trade zones. Unlike a city or county, SeOPA can buy land and construct a building that could be leased or sold to a business of its choosing at a privately negotiated price. SeOPA can issue tax-exempt (and therefore, lower interest bonds) on behalf of a private entity for the construction of new plant or equipment. SeOPA can also help companies delay, reduce or avoid import duties on goods imported into Foreign Trade Zone #264, which includes five locations in Washington County.

SeOPA is governed by 11 business and community leaders who are appointed by the Washington County Commissioners.  David Haas, Vice-president of Morrison, Inc., is the Chairman. Bobby Poage, Operations Leader at Kraton Polymers, is Vice-Chair. Attorney Tom Webster is Secretary-Treasurer. Ron Cooley, President of The Peoples Savings Bank is the Vice-Secretary-Treasurer.  Other members include: Dave Archer, President of Pioneer Pipe; Jim Black, Business Consultant, Beverly OH; Mark Bradley, President & CEO of Peoples Bancorp, Inc.; Dr. Charlotte Hatfield, President of Washington State Community College; Norman E. (Jack) Haessly, Jr., President of Haessly Hardwood; Larry Unroe, Business Consultant; and Dave Wickline, Plant Manager, AEP Muskingum River Plant.

SeOPA is funded through a public-private partnership. For every dollar in public money, three dollars of private funds are donated to SeOPA through an aggressive fundraising campaign. To date, over 100 businesses and individuals have pledged funds.

SeOPA has adopted a Plan of Work, which we use to set priorities and guide our efforts. The Plan of Work is not a static document and will no doubt evolve with time. Nonetheless, we have created four over-riding goals:

1. Building SeOPA for the long-term. As an organization that relies primarily on the support of donors, SeOPA needs to build good will and create a record of success. We need to be entrepreneurial and seek other revenue streams to support our operations and growth.

2. Business attraction. SeOPA will work to communicate why Washington County is a good business location and a great place to live. SeOPA will then target businesses, industries, and people for recruitment.

3. Community Leadership and Stewardship. Unfortunately, economic development is never so simple and straightforward that the product (or community) you are promoting is functioning perfectly without any problems. All communities have problems. Great communities figure out a way to address their problems together. SeOPA will work with the partner groups to help address our most pressing community issues that affect our business climate.

4. Retention & Expansion (R&E) of Existing Businesses and Industries. Most “new” jobs in a community are typically created by existing businesses and industries in a community. Making sure a community is doing everything it can to keep area companies satisfied and help them to grow is a vital economic development function.