Zanesville-Muskingum County Port Authority Announces Creation of National Road Business Park

Matt Abbott.
Zanesville-Muskingum County Port Authority.

On Tuesday June 26, 2018, the Zanesville-Muskingum County Port Authority (ZMCPA) exercised an option and closed on the purchase of a 203 acre property located in Perry Township.

The development of the National Road Business Park will truly be a unique, inter-governmental effort, as the funding for purchase and development is being shared jointly between the ZMCPA, Muskingum County and the City of Zanesville. Additionally, we are actively pursuing over $1.25 million in grant dollars to assist with the creation of the park.

The immediate goal at the National Road Business Park will be developing the 203 acre Greenfield site into a viable location capable of holding a ~1 million square foot facility with sufficient infrastructure in place. Combined with numerous sites for smaller facilities, this will create employment opportunities for the residents of Muskingum County and Southeastern Ohio. The ZMCPA will have the ability to market these sites and better compete for new project leads.

The ZMCPA identified five different properties in the county for development and felt the Perry Township property would provide the best opportunities for future growth. With easy access and visibility from I-70, availability of utilities and workforce, this location could easily become Muskingum County’s newest viable business park.

Since its inception, the ZMCPA and its partners have successfully created, erected and driven economic development in Muskingum County. The three existing business parks were led directly by efforts of the Port Authority, its Board of Directors, the County Commissioners, the Mayor and Council of the City of Zanesville and various Township Trustees. The three existing business parks include the Airport Business Park, Eastpointe Business Park, and the Northpointe Business Park. Total employment among the three parks exceeds 4,500 workers.

The Board of Directors and local elected officials recognize that investment must take place in order to continue to move Muskingum County forward. The National Road Business Park will provide an excellent opportunity to enhance the economic climate, and provide Muskingum County with a competitive edge to add new business locally.

To watch a drone flyover video of the entire site, visit the Port Authority’s website at www.zmcport.com.