Name Change Part of Strategic Plan Recommendations
AKRON, OHIO (February 10, 2012) – The Summit County Port Authority has requested that the County Council amend the County of Summit ordinance to enable it to change its name to more accurately reflect its economic development activities. The legislation is on the County Council agenda for the February 13, 2012 meeting.
“The proposed new name ‘Development Finance Authority of Summit County’ more accurately reflects the organization’s focus on economic development activities,” said Christopher Burnham, President of Summit County Port Authority. “Often people will ask where the port is in Akron. The phrase ‘Development Finance Authority’ is a much more accurate description.”
County Executive Russ Pry is the sponsor of the amendment. It is scheduled to be reviewed by the Planning and Economic Development Committee on February 27 and the Port Authority is anticipating the legislation will take effect as early as March 31, 2012.
The request follows the Port Authority’s recently released Strategic Plan that included recommendations that it change the name of the organization to better match the vision of the Authority. The new name will help potential clients, partners, and the public more readily understand its current role as an economic development organization and future vision to bring investors and jobs to the Northeast Ohio region.
About Summit County Port Authority
The mission of the Summit County Port Authority is to implement economic development initiatives that will strengthen and diversify the economy of Summit County and Northeast Ohio. It was established in 1993 to save abandoned rail lines for future transportation needs. In 1999 the purpose was expanded by the County to provide community and economic development finance to spur economic development and job growth. Some of the SCPA owned properties include the Civic Theater, Akron Airdock, the Goodyear Headquarters, and the Bridgestone Technical Center. For more information, visit the organization’s website at www.summitportauthority.org.
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Christopher Burnham, 330-762-4776
c.burnham@summitportauthority.org