Port authority creates, retains hundreds of jobs

SANDUSKY — The Erie County Port Authority, which is administered by the Greater Sandusky Partnership, recently closed on a capital lease project with the Kalmbach Family, working in collaboration with the Wyandot County Office of Economic Development. What's the project? The project involves the development of a new 130,000-square-foot manufacturing facility in Wyandot County, representing an estimated $130 million total investment. This facility adds to the Kalmbach Family's manufacturing portfolio, expanding overall capacity and facilitating growth into new product categories. The project supports 213 new jobs and 546 retained jobs, strengthening the region's advanced manufacturing footprint. By utilizing the port authority's capital lease program, the Kalmbach Family will secure approximately $1.63 million in project savings. What role did port authority play? The Erie County Port Authority was established to serve as a flexible and proactive tool to promote investment and job creation in the region. Additionally, the port authority offers a capital lease program. This allows companies to reduce sales tax obligations on eligible project costs, effectively lowering barriers to investment while enhancing long-term regional competitiveness. Speaking up Many people who helped to make this deal possible spoke about its overall importance: • Kalmbach Family member Paul Kalmbach Jr.: We're grateful for the support of the Erie County Port Authority. This new facility is an exciting addition to Wyandot County and represents significant growth for this region. This project has benefited from the partnership of agencies promoting growth and investment in our area. • Wyandot County Office of Economic Development executive director Greg Moon: The Kalmbach Family's exponential growth continues to be a primary source of economic activity in Wyandot County, and this project sets a new standard as the single largest private expansion project in county history. We're humbled to support this historic project in cooperation with our Erie County Port Authority and Greater Sandusky Partnership partners. • James Miller, chairman of the port authority board: Our goal is to steward tools that drive meaningful economic impact. The Kalmbach Family's investment reflects the kind of long-term regional growth we aim to encourage, and we're pleased the port authority could help bring this project to fruition. • Matt Lasko, the partnership's chief development officer: We're proud to partner on a project that delivers such significant economic value to north-central Ohio. Working together with the Kalmbach Family and the Wyandot County Office of Economic Development, we were able to use the capital lease program to improve project feasibility and support hundreds of quality jobs.