Zanesville-Muskingum County Port Authority

What Zanesville-Muskingum County Port Authority does

The Zanesville-Muskingum County Port Authority (ZMCPA) is a quasi-governmental economic development organization established in 1987 and jointly governed by the City of Zanesville and Muskingum County, Ohio, under Ohio Revised Code Section 4582. It serves as the primary economic development entity for Muskingum County, managing over 4,100 acres across five industrial and business parks (Airport Business Park, Eastpointe Business Park, approximately 1,200 acres; Northpointe Business Park, 390 acres; National Road Business Park, 200+ acres; ECO Business Park, 700 acres; and Graham Farm Business Park). It also administers the Muskingum County Transportation Improvement District and operates the Eastpointe Rail Transload Station. The organization serves site selectors, commercial real estate brokers, developers, and companies seeking to locate or expand manufacturing, distribution, or commercial operations in the region, working alongside tenants including Dollar General, AutoZone, Halliburton, Bimbo Bakery, Owens-Illinois, Cleveland Cliffs, and Genesis Healthcare System.

The Port Authority's core offerings include a searchable property database, streamlined permitting assistance, workforce development services through partnerships with Zane State College and Mid-East Career and Technology Center, and navigation of stacked incentive programs (Enterprise Zone exemptions up to 60-75%, six Community Reinvestment Areas offering up to 100% property tax exemptions, two Opportunity Zones, Job Creation Tax Credits, and the 166 Direct Loan Program). It also issues industrial development bonds for credit-worthy companies undertaking significant capital projects. The go-to-market motion is enterprise field sales: a small staff of approximately six employees engages directly with prospects, provides site tours, custom analytics, and permitting coordination, and works with regional partners including JobsOhio, Ohio Southeast (OhioSE), the Ohio Department of Development, and Marker Development.

The organization's revenue model is non-traditional for a commercial enterprise. It is primarily funded by equal appropriations from the City of Zanesville and Muskingum County, supplemented by Joint Economic Development District (JEDD) tax proceeds, revenue from the sale and lease of industrial sites and business park properties (including farm leases on excess ground), rail transfer and transportation income, and fees from bond financing services. Services to businesses are provided at no direct cost, positioning the Port Authority as a public-sector economic development facilitator rather than a fee-for-service vendor.

Name

Zanesville-Muskingum County Port Authority

Legal name

Zanesville-Muskingum County Port Authority

Website

https://zmcport.com

Company type

Private

Founded year

1987

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

1–10 employees

Short description

The Zanesville-Muskingum County Port Authority is a quasi-governmental economic development organization managing 4,100+ acres of business parks in Muskingum County, Ohio, providing site selection, permitting, workforce, and incentive services to manufacturing, distribution, and commercial companies seeking to locate or expand in the region.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Economic Development Services

akta.pro primary industry

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

akta.pro secondary industry

Industrial Park Owners Association Management (BPAJAHAH)

Keywords

• Economic development services
• Industrial site selection
• Business park management
• Workforce development
• Tax incentive programs

Headquarters

HQ city

Zanesville

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Offices1 record

Markets served

GTM type

B2B

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Infrastructure, Marketing or Sales, Others

Revenue model

1. Governmental Funding: The ZMCPA is equally supported financially by the City of Zanesville and Muskingum County for general operating expenses. This is the primary funding source for day-to-day operations.
2. JEDD Revenue: Joint Economic Development District (JEDD) income tax proceeds provide ongoing revenue that supports Port Authority operations and business park maintenance.
3. Property and Land Revenue: Revenue from the sale and lease of industrial sites and business park properties, including farm leases on excess ground.
4. Rail and Transportation Revenue: Income from rail transfers, leases, and transportation-related operations at business parks.
5. Bond Financing Services: The Port Authority issues industrial development bonds for credit-worthy companies undertaking significant capital projects, providing tax-exempt financing options and working with larger port authorities or Ohio Enterprise Bond Fund to enhance deal credit.

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels4 records

Marketing channels7 records

Core offering

The Zanesville-Muskingum County Port Authority manages over 4,100 acres of business parks and provides site selection assistance, permitting facilitation, workforce development connections, and access to tax incentive programs for businesses seeking to locate, expand, or develop in Muskingum County, Ohio. It also issues industrial development bonds and administers the Muskingum County Transportation Improvement District on behalf of the City of Zanesville and Muskingum County.

Product overview

The Zanesville-Muskingum County Port Authority operates as an economic development organization rather than a traditional product company. Its primary offerings include a Property Database for site selection, management of five industrial Business Parks (Airport, Eastpointe, Graham Farm, National Road, Northpointe), permitting assistance services, workforce development resources through partnerships with educational institutions, and various Economic Development Incentives programs including Opportunity Zones and Community Reinvestment Areas. These services work together to attract new businesses and support expansion in the region.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• Property Database

Quantifiable outcome

• 41,000+ available workers in county labor force
• +5 more outcomes

Named customers14 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

22 partnerships are on record, tiered core, major and minor.

• City of ZanesvillecoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerThe City of Zanesville provides financial support to the Port Authority and is an integral partner in the execution of Port activities. Jointly formed the Port Authority with Muskingum County.
• Muskingum CountycoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerMuskingum County provides financial support to the Port Authority and is an integral partner in the execution of Port activities. Jointly formed the Port Authority with the City of Zanesville.
• JobsOhiocoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerPrivate non-profit corporation designed to drive job creation and new capital investment in Ohio through business attraction, retention, and expansion efforts. Provides assistance in all aspects of the site selection process.
• Ohio Southeast (OhioSE)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerJobsOhio partner for Southern, Eastern and Southeastern Ohio, serving 25 rural counties. Prime focus is on retaining existing jobs and accelerating business growth to spur job creation and investment.
• Ohio Department of DevelopmentcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerHelps businesses and communities across Ohio thrive through strategic investment assistance, minority business development, state tourism, Appalachian region advocacy, and infrastructure collaboration.
• Zanesville-Muskingum County Chamber of CommercemajorStrategic or Co-development PartnerMembership association for local businesses providing services that help promote products and services and reduce operating costs.
• Ohio Mid East Government Association (OMEGA)majorStrategic or Co-development PartnerCollaborative body of member governments serving as facilitator between state and federal government agencies and local entities for economic and community development.
• Eastern Ohio Development Alliance (EODA)majorStrategic or Co-development PartnerIndependent nonprofit organization consisting of 16 counties in Eastern and Southeastern Ohio promoting business development, education/technology, governmental affairs, and membership services.
• Zane State CollegecoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerPort Authority works closely with Zane State College to create courses of study assisting local employers with workforce needs. College creates new programs to fill gaps, such as diesel mechanics for new businesses.
• Mid-East Career and Technology CentercoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerProvides customized training opportunities including safety classes and short-term training programs for new and expanding companies. Offers programs in electrical technologies, IT services, and welding.
• Ohio Means Jobs (OMJ) Muskingum CountymajorStrategic or Co-development PartnerLocal Ohio Means Jobs office provides free job search and consulting services for employers as well as recruiting services for businesses relocating to or expanding in Muskingum County.
• TechGrowth OhiominorStrategic or Co-development Partner$67 million public-private partnership providing business expertise, services, and investments for startup companies in 19-county Southeastern Ohio area through Ohio University Voinovich School.
• Zanesville-Muskingum County Convention & Visitor's BureaumajorStrategic or Co-development PartnerPromotes the community to visitors and tourists, supporting economic development through tourism promotion.
• Muskingum County Convention Facilities AuthoritymajorStrategic or Co-development PartnerOwns, operates, and manages the Muskingum County Welcome Center and other developing properties.
• Mid-East Ohio Building DepartmentmajorStrategic or Co-development PartnerOne-stop shop for commercial and industrial building plan approvals and inspections in a five-county area, located in downtown Zanesville.
• Ohio Department of Transportation (ODOT) Jobs & CommercecoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerRapid-response team providing transportation infrastructure and project management assistance to Ohio's businesses and communities with regional managers working on transportation projects with job retention or expansion impacts.
• Genesee & Wyoming / Ohio Central RailroadcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerOhio Central Railroad operates rail lines serving Muskingum County, connecting to CSX Transportation and Norfolk Southern at Rickenbacker Intermodal Terminal. Provides freight rail services to Eastpointe Business Park and other locations.
• The New Albany CompanymajorStrategic or Co-development PartnerCollaborated with Muskingum County Commissioners and The New Albany Company on Graham Farm Business Park development. The New Albany Company handles wetland permitting and mitigation.
• Marker DevelopmentmajorChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorColumbus-based developer constructing speculative Class A commercial building at National Road Business Park. $17 million project with 201,600 sq ft of space. In August 2025, first tenant opened - Holder Construction.
• Muskingum County Transportation Improvement District (TID)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerZMCPA acts as administrative agent for Muskingum County TID, handling budgeting, overseeing projects, and seeking grant funding for transportation infrastructure improvements.
• Perry Township TrusteesmajorStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartnership for road maintenance and improvements in National Road and Airport Business Parks through JEDD Maintenance Advisory Committee.
• Washington Township TrusteesmajorStrategic or Co-development PartnerResponsible for fire protection services and road maintenance in Eastpointe Business Park through Washington Township Volunteer Fire Department and JEDD Maintenance Advisory Committee.

Scale indicators8 records

Recent moves7 records

Expansion highlights5 records

Broad incumbents

• Team NEO: Northeast Ohio's regional economic development corporation; comparable mission (site selection, business attraction, workforce development across multiple counties) operating at a multi-county scale similar to ZMCPA's regional positioning.
• JobsOhio: Statewide private nonprofit economic development corporation; ZMCPA lists JobsOhio as a core strategic partner and is structurally a sub-regional counterparty that executes site-selection and incentive work JobsOhio refers down to county port authorities. Operates one tier above ZMCPA.
• Regional Growth Partnership: Northwest Ohio's regional economic development organization covering 17 counties; comparable scope (multi-county industrial site promotion, workforce development, incentive packaging) and similar mission to ZMCPA but at a broader regional scale.
• OneColumbus: Regional economic development organization for the 11-county Columbus Region; ZMCPA explicitly cites its inclusion in the Columbus MSA as central to its value proposition, making OneColumbus both a partner and a comparable EDO operating at a larger scale.

Direct peers

• Cuyahoga County Port Authority: Cleveland/Northeast Ohio port authority operating under the same Ohio Revised Code 4582 framework; comparable quasi-governmental structure with economic development, bond issuance, and real estate asset management mandates, though with actual maritime port operations overlaid. Most direct legal-structural peer to ZMCPA.
• Butler County Port Authority: Southwest Ohio (Hamilton/Middletown) port authority operating under Ohio Revised Code 4582; comparable structure focused on industrial park management, bond financing, and economic development in a county adjacent to a major metro (Cincinnati). Functionally very similar to ZMCPA.
• Licking County Port Authority: Central Ohio (Newark) port authority formed under Ohio Revised Code 4582; manages industrial sites and incentivizes business attraction in a similarly sized micropolitan adjacent to the Columbus MSA. Closest geographic and structural peer to ZMCPA.
• Rickenbacker Port Authority: Central Ohio logistics-focused port authority tied to the Rickenbacker Global Logistics Park; strong peer given shared Columbus MSA positioning, similar 4582 framework, and overlap with ZMCPA's I-70/rail logistics value proposition.

Regional players

• The New Albany Company: Central Ohio (New Albany) master developer of business parks and mixed-use communities; ZMCPA lists it as a core partner on the Graham Farm Business Park, and their business model (shovel-ready sites, wetland permitting, infrastructure investment) directly overlaps with ZMCPA's park development function.

Emerging players

• Marker Development: Columbus-based speculative industrial developer explicitly building a 201,600 sq ft Class A building for ZMCPA at National Road Business Park; represents the developer side of the same business-park supply chain ZMCPA manages, and is a current channel partner.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat5 records

Key risks5 records

Key highlights6 records

Customer concentration

• YouTubeyoutube.com/@zmcport3722
• Facebookfacebook.com/profile.php
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/zanesville-muskingum-county-port-authority
• Instagraminstagram.com/zmc_port

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles2 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 Zanesville-Muskingum County Port Authority