Columbiana County Port Authority

What Columbiana County Port Authority does

Columbiana County Port Authority (CCPA) is a government port authority established in 1977 under Ohio Revised Code 4582 and headquartered in Lisbon, Ohio. Governed by the Columbiana County Board of County Commissioners, CCPA functions as a single-entity economic development organization operating with a small staff of four employees plus a four-member board. Its core activities center on business retention and expansion, real estate ownership and leasing, grant administration, and financing program facilitation across Columbiana County's seven walkable downtown communities (Columbiana, East Liverpool, East Palestine, Leetonia, Lisbon, Salem, and Wellsville).

CCPA owns and operates a portfolio of industrial and intermodal real estate, including the Wellsville Intermodal Facility (a Foreign Trade Zone with barge, rail, and truck access), the Cherry Fork Industrial Facility (~105,000 sf in Leetonia housing Humtown Additive, Mitsubishi, and ExOne), and the World Trade Park (~42 acres of shovel-ready land in Leetonia anchored by Pennex Aluminum and Haltec Corporation). Its revenue model combines tenant lease income, grant administration fees (administering EPA, ODOT Maritime Assistance Program, CDBG, and Ohio Department of Development grants), and facilitation of financing tools including PACE, TIF, and bond financing. The Global Investment Hub partnership with Ohio SBDC Export Assistance Network supports foreign direct investment attraction.

CCPA is positioned within the Mid-Ohio Valley Statistical Port District, approved by USACE in 2021 and ranked as the largest inland port in the United States by freight volume tonnage. Recent strategic activity has centered on grant-funded programs, including a $2M EPA well water testing program following the 2023 East Palestine train derailment, $500K in Flexible Grants for downtown renovation, a $220K Governor's Office of Appalachia downtown revitalization grant, and a planned 60,000 sf speculative manufacturing building at World Trade Park for 2024.

Name

Columbiana County Port Authority

Legal name

Columbiana County Port Authority

Website

https://ccpa-ohioriver.com

Company type

Public

Founded year

1977

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

1–10 employees

Short description

Columbiana County Port Authority is a 1977-established Ohio government port authority that manages industrial real estate, administers grants, and provides business retention and financing services to manufacturers, municipalities, and small businesses across Columbiana County's seven downtown communities.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Economic Development Services

NAICS

Port and Harbor Operations (48831), Port and Harbor Operations (488310), Support Activities for Water Transportation (4883)

SIC

Services-Facilities Support Management Services (8744)

akta.pro primary industry

Maritime & Port Authorities (Public Ports, Harbors, Ferries Terminals) (BPAIALAF)

akta.pro secondary industries

Port Dues, Permitting & Regulatory Clearances (TLAHAFAD), Economic Development & Business Licensing (Local) (BPAIACAN)

Keywords

• Port authority services
• Economic development programs
• Industrial real estate leasing
• Grant administration services
• Intermodal transportation facilities

Headquarters

HQ city

East Liverpool

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Offices4 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2B

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Infrastructure, Marketing or Sales, Others

Revenue model

1. Grant Administration: CCPA administers grants for infrastructure development, job creation, and community enhancement, receiving fees for managing federal and state grant programs including EPA grants, CDBG funding, and Ohio Department of Development programs.
2. Real Estate Ownership and Leasing: CCPA owns and leases industrial properties including the Wellsville Intermodal Facility, Cherry Fork Industrial Facility, World Trade Park, and commercial properties. Revenue generated through tenant leases with operators like Pier 48 Stevedoring LLC, manufacturers, and service providers.
3. Financing Program Facilitation: CCPA facilitates financing tools including PACE financing, Tax Increment Financing (TIF), and bond financing for qualifying development projects, providing economic development services to businesses and municipalities.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion2 records

Distribution channels4 records

Marketing channels5 records

Core offering

Columbiana County Port Authority (CCPA) is a public port authority that owns, leases, and operates industrial and intermodal real estate (Wellsville Intermodal Facility, Cherry Fork Industrial Facility, World Trade Park) and delivers economic development services to businesses and municipalities in Columbiana County. Its offerings span grant administration (EPA, CDBG, ODOT Maritime, Flexible Grants), financing facilitation (PACE, TIF, bond financing), business retention and expansion outreach, downtown revitalization grant programs, and foreign direct investment attraction via the Global Investment Hub.

Product overview

Columbiana County Port Authority (CCPA) is a single-entity economic development organization established in 1977, not a software or technology company. It offers a portfolio of economic development services centered around business retention and expansion, grant administration, financing programs, and real estate/property management. The core offerings include: Business Development services for existing businesses; Incentives Programs (CRA, Enterprise Zone, Opportunity Zone, PACE, TIF, Bond financing); Grant Administration for EPA water testing, CDBG, and ODOT Maritime programs; Downtown revitalization programs (Building Renovation up to $50K, Signage up to $1K); and property/facility management including the Wellsville Intermodal Facility, Cherry Fork Industrial Facility (105,000 sf), World Trade Park, and the Global Investment Hub for foreign direct investment. These services work together to support economic growth across Columbiana County's seven downtown communities and industrial zones.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• Business Development Services Economic development services including confidential business outreach visits, business retention and expansion support, and workforce assistance for existing businesses in Columbiana County.
• Incentives Programs Tax incentive offerings including Community Reinvestment Area (CRA), Enterprise Zone (EZ), Opportunity Zone Tax Credits, and PACE financing to encourage economic development.
• Grant Administration Grant management services supporting infrastructure development, job creation, and community enhancement projects including EPA grants, CDBG funding, and Ohio Department of Development programs.
• Wellsville Intermodal Facility State-of-the-art intermodal facility in Wellsville, OH providing seamless cargo transfer via barge, truck, and rail with two cranes and a conveyor belt, designated as a Foreign Trade Zone and serving as the feeder port for the Cleveland/Pittsburgh industrial corridor.
• Cherry Fork Industrial Facility Approximately 105,000 sf industrial facility at 600 Cherry Fork Avenue in Leetonia, OH housing three manufacturers including Humtown Additive, Mitsubishi, and The ExOne Company; also home to the Global Investment Hub for foreign direct investment.
• World Trade Park Industrial park near State Route 344 in Leetonia, OH, approximately 42 acres of shovel-ready land with utility access, home to Pennex Aluminum and Haltec Corporation.
• Global Investment Hub Partnership with Ohio SBDC Export Assistance Network at Youngstown State University providing foreign companies access to industrial facilities, skilled workforce, and regional supply chain for U.S. market entry.
• PACE (Property Assessed Clean Energy) Financing Specialized funding tool for energy efficiency, renewable energy, water conservation, and resiliency improvements in commercial, industrial, and multifamily properties.
• Tax Increment Financing (TIF) Financing tool allowing new property tax revenue to be reinvested into development areas for infrastructure improvements such as roads, utilities, and parking.
• Bond Financing - Capital Lease Long-term, low-cost capital access for qualifying development and infrastructure projects through public and quasi-public bond financing structures.
• Downtown Building Renovation Program Competitive grant program providing up to $50,000 per project for building rehabilitation, code compliance, and modernization in seven walkable downtown communities.
• Downtown Signage Program Grant program offering up to $1,000 per project for high-quality, code-compliant exterior signage to enhance business visibility and downtown streetscapes.
• Expanded Potable Well Testing Program EPA-funded $2 million grant program providing free water testing for private well users following the 2023 Norfolk Southern train derailment, administered with the Columbiana County Health District.
• Maritime Assistance Program ODOT-funded program providing maritime cargo terminal planning, design, acquisition, and infrastructure project funding for eligible Ohio port authorities under Ohio Revised Code 4582 and 5501.91.
• Flexible Grant Program Ohio Department of Development grant providing funding for renovation projects including $250,000 for City of Salem (145-165 South Broadway Avenue) and $250,000 for Village of East Palestine (58 W. Taggart Street).

Quantifiable outcome

• Created 115 jobs through Pennex Aluminum expansion
• +4 more outcomes

Named customers11 records

Segments5 records

Ideal customer profiles4 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Partnerships

14 partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.

• Ohio Department of DevelopmentcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerState agency partner aimed at helping Ohio businesses, communities, and individuals thrive. Provides programs and resources that impact lives of Ohioans through economic development initiatives. CCPA partners with this agency for Flexible Grants and other state programs.
• Ohio Department of Transportation (ODOT)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerState agency providing funding for maritime cargo terminal operations through Maritime Assistance Program (MAP). CCPA administers projects for eligible port authorities under Ohio Revised Code 4582 and 5501.91, including current project for Quality Liquid Feeds.
• JobsOhiocoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerState economic development organization that empowers world-class corporations, entrepreneurs, and talented individuals to build businesses and careers in Ohio. Supports sustainable economic growth through advocacy and investments.
• Lake to RiverminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerEconomic development organization dedicated to creating sustainable growth through site development, business attraction and retention, and strategic infrastructure enhancement in Eastern Ohio.
• Salem Sustainable Opportunity Development Center (SOD Center)minorStrategic or Co-development PartnerFacilitates growth, advances vitality, and improves quality of life for Salem residents. Part of economic development efforts in the Salem, Ohio area and broader Columbiana County region.
• Ohio Mid-Eastern Governments Association (OMEGA)minorStrategic or Co-development PartnerCollaborative body of member governments serving as facilitator between state/federal agencies and local entities for economic and community development through networking, education, planning, and resource allocation.
• Youngstown Warren Regional ChamberminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerRegional chamber providing economic development, advocacy, and business services to promote growth of members and the Mahoning Valley region.
• Mahoning Valley Manufacturers CoalitionminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerCoalition focused on attracting workforce needed for growth and expansion by offering seamless career pathways enabling individuals to enter and advance in manufacturing careers.
• Valley Partners (Valley Economic Development Partners)minorStrategic or Co-development PartnerPrivate, non-profit organization focused on social well-being of Mahoning Valley. Develops employment opportunities through business creation, expansion, and retention in collaboration with regional organizations.
• Small Business Development Center at YSUcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerOver 35 years of services helping businesses start and expand. Provides business strategies, export assistance, and government contracting opportunities through personalized consulting. Partner for Global Investment Hub.
• MAGNET ManufacturingminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerOrganization driving Northeast Ohio manufacturing growth, working primarily with small- and medium-sized companies which make up 98% of region's nearly 10,000 manufacturers.
• Inland River Ports and Terminals, Inc.minorStrategic or Co-development PartnerNational organization promoting healthy growth and operation of inland river ports, terminals, and intermodal centers.
• Ohio Council of Port AuthoritiesminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerStatewide organization representing Ohio port authorities which have evolved from maritime commerce to strong partners in economic development over six decades.
• Ohio SBDC Export Assistance Network at Youngstown State UniversitycoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartnership for Global Investment Hub providing value to foreign companies with space in industrial facility in Leetonia, Ohio. Provides access to region's skilled workforce and supply chain for international businesses.

Scale indicators11 records

Recent moves12 records

Expansion highlights4 records

Others

• SITE Centers: While not a port authority, SITE Centers is a real estate investment trust that owns and manages open-air retail and industrial properties. Relevant as a comparable industrial property owner/operator benchmarking lease economics, though not a government economic development peer.
• Inland River Ports and Terminals, Inc. National trade association representing inland river port authorities and intermodal operators. CCPA is a member; the association provides a relevant peer reference point for industry standards and benchmarking.

Direct peers

• Cleveland-Cuyahoga County Port Authority: Major Ohio public port authority managing Cleveland's lakefront port, real estate, and economic development. Comparable in statutory authority, public port operations, and multi-modal logistics role.
• Port of Pittsburgh Commission: Regional port authority governing inland river commerce on the Ohio, Monongahela, and Allegheny rivers. Closely comparable to CCPA as an inland river port authority with adjacent economic development responsibilities.
• Ohio Valley Regional Development Commission: Regional planning and economic development organization serving Ohio Appalachian counties. Comparable in scope of multi-county economic development, infrastructure planning, and grant administration.
• Toledo-Lucas County Port Authority: Ohio public port authority operating marine terminals, foreign trade zones, and economic development programs. Directly comparable as an Ohio Revised Code port authority with industrial real estate and maritime cargo operations.

Regional players

• Mahoning Valley Manufacturers Coalition: Regional manufacturing workforce and growth coalition in Northeast Ohio. Comparable to CCPA's manufacturing attraction and workforce development work in the broader Eastern Ohio/Mahoning Valley region.
• Buffalo-Niagara Partnership: Regional economic development organization operating across Western New York with industrial attraction and FDI programs. Comparable as a multi-jurisdiction economic development body with industrial real estate and incentive programs.

Broad incumbents

• JobsOhio: Statewide private economic development organization that funds site development and corporate attraction across Ohio. Comparable as an economic development counterpart with overlapping program portfolios and shared corporate prospects.
• Ohio Council of Port Authorities: Statewide association representing Ohio port authorities. CCPA is a member; comparable as an industry body governing shared statutory framework, funding advocacy, and peer collaboration across Ohio's port ecosystem.

Market position

Strengths4 records

Weaknesses4 records

Competitive moat4 records

Key risks5 records

Key highlights6 records

Customer concentration

• Facebookfacebook.com/ColCoPort

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles8 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about Columbiana County Port Authority