from the runway
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RELEASE - CLINTON COUNTY PORT AUTHORITY BOARD INTRODUCES NEW MEMBERS, STAFF, Provides Lease Updates
The Clinton County Port Authority Board of Directors introduced new Board Members Janet Dixon and Jack Powell at its most recent meeting. -
RELEASE - Clinton County Port Authority Seeks Interested Property Owners for State Brownfield or Demolition Grant Funds
The Clinton County Port Authority and the Clinton County Regional Planning Commission (CCRPC) are seeking property owners interested in participating in the next rounds of funding through both the Ohio Brownfield Remediation and the Ohio Building Demolition and Site Revitalization Programs. -
RELEASE - City of Wilmington and Clinton County Port Authority Secure Additional $175,000 for Davids Drive Phase III
The City of Wilmington, in collaboration with the Clinton County Port Authority, has been awarded an additional $175,000 in funding from the Ohio Department of Transportation’s Jobs & Commerce Economic Development Grant Program to support Phase III of the Davids Drive reconstruction project. -
RELEASE - Ohio Air National Guard to be Hosted by the Wilmington Air Park Final
Wilmington, Ohio - The Clinton County Port Authority (CCPA) and the Ohio Air National Guard (OHANG) are proud to announce a historic joint exercise, "Live in '25," marking the first time in OHANG history that all four wings will collaborate for an exercise at a non-military installation. Wilmington Air Park, a regional hub of cargo flights and MRO operations
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RELEASE - Best Airport in Ohio - Voting Open
Show your Ohio and Clinton County pride by voting for the Wilmington Air Park as the “Best Airport in Ohio” in Ohio Business Magazine’s 2024 Award campaign every day through September 22! -
RELEASE - CCPA Receives ODOT Grant
(Wilmington, Ohio) The Clinton County Port Authority received notification from the Ohio Department of Transportation, Office of Aviation that it would receive a FY2024 Grant in support of navigational aids upgrades and repairs. The $493,000.00 Grant will be used to augment Port Authority funds for the purchase and installation of a Localizer on the 10,000-foot runway. -
RELEASE - Port Authority Recognized as 2024 Best Workplace in Ohio
(Wilmington, Ohio) For the fifth year in a row, the Clinton County Port Authority has been selected by Ohio Business Magazine as a “Best Workplace in Ohio.” -
RELEASE - CCPA to Receive OTSCIF Grant
(Wilmington, Ohio) The Clinton County Port Authority is one of several entities in the State of Ohio that will receive funding from a unique, one-time $700 million fund established by the Ohio General Assembly. -
RELEASE - Port Authority Recognizes LaPine
(Wilmington, Ohio) The Clinton County Port Authority recognized retiring Board Member Renee LaPine at is recent meeting. LaPine started on the Port Authority Board in 2015, amid a time of great change at the Wilmington Air Park. -
RELEASE - Vector Electromagnetics New to Wilmington Air Park
(Wilmington, Ohio) The Clinton County Port Authority continues to diversify the mix of businesses located at the Wilmington Air Park. Most recently, this involves the lease of both office space and research, development, and test space to Vector ElectroMagnetics, LLC. -
RELEASE - Clinton County Port Authority 2023 SBDC Day Ambassador
(Wilmington, OH) The Clinton County Port Authority (CCPA) is proud to be one of 50 Ambassadors for the 2023 SBDC Day on March 15, 2023. The day is a national, collective proclamation of the impact America’s Small Business Development Centers (SBDCs) have on the success of our nation’s dreamers, innovators, and doers – America’s small businesses. -
RELEASE - Wilmington Air Park Named Best Airport in Ohio 2022
(Wilmington, Ohio) The Wilmington Air Park has been recognized as the Best Airport in Ohio for the third year in a row by Ohio Business Magazine in its “Best in Ohio Business” Awards.
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Over 80 years of History at Wilmington Air Park- Air Cargo & UAV Testing
The Wilmington Air Park is rich in history. In 1929, a group of local aeroplane enthusiasts initiated flying activities on a field in Clinton County, Ohio. A year later the first hangar was built. Throughout the 30’s and 40’s the airport would take on many roles. American Airlines used the airport for flights to Columbus and Cincinnati. Throughout World War II, The Army Air Corps would take control of the field, naming it Clinton County Air Field, and conduct research, training and development. During the Korean War the base was used as an Air Reserve Center.
In 1960 the base was transferred to the Strategic Air Command which was responsible for maintaining a peacetime force strong enough to discourage enemy aggression. In 1972, the base was decommissioned by the Air Force and the Wilmington economic development community established the Community Improvement Corporation which took over the base, renaming it the Wilmington Industrial Air Park.
The Park took off in the 70’s with new tenants moving into the Wilmington Industrial Air Park. Early tenants included National Airways, Kurz-Kasch and Midwest Air Charter. The establishment of educational organizations, including Southern State College and the Laurel Oaks branch of the Great Oaks Vocational School, provided a trained workforce for employers.
In 1980, Airborne Freight Corporation acquired Midwest Air Charter and established Airborne Express. Throughout the 80’s and 90’s Airborne Express would become a dominate player in the air cargo market. The airport would become the only privately owned and operated airport with a CAT II Landing System. Packing and sorting facilities, aircraft maintenance hangars, fire stations, fuel facilities as well as expanded runways and roads would be added to the Air Park to accommodate growth. With various purchases of land from both governmental and private entities the park would increase in size to 2,000 acres.
In 2003, DHL purchased the sales and ground network of Airborne Express. As a result, the aircraft portion of Airborne Express would become ABX Air and enter into contracts with DHL to continue providing air services.
In May 2008, DHL announced that to stem significant losses in the US Market, it would initiate a new business strategy. Throughout the next year, DHL exited the domestic package delivery market in the US and moved its international business to the Cincinnati Northern Kentucky International Airport. Over 8,000 local jobs were lost as a result of DHL's decision to exit the express package delivery business in the US.
In 2010, DHL donated the Air Park to the Clinton County Port Authority for economic redevelopment in the region. The donation represents one of the largest public donations of private land in the State of Ohio’s history. At that time it was home to four businesses and nearly 750 employees.
Today, the Wilmington Air Park has nearly all leasable space occupied, has 12 companies operating at the airport and is home to approximatly 4,000 employees. The diversified tenant base includes airlines, manufacturing, logistics, cargo operations high-tech/emerging processes and entry level opportunities. A 250-acre development site is available ajacent to the airport.
Long an economic development driver for the region, the Wilmington Air Park continues to attract the attention of businesses and job seekers, alike.
