Partnership oversees $11M deal

SANDUSKY — The Erie County Port Authority, which is administered by the Greater Sandusky Partnership, recently closed on a capital lease project with Heritage Cooperative, working in collaboration with the Wyandot County Office of Economic Development. What's the project? The $11 million project includes a 27-acre agronomy facility featuring a 3,500-ton dry fertilizer building, advanced liquid fertilizer capacity, seed treatment operations and service infrastructure. Additionally, the investment retains approximately 20 jobs in Wyandot County. "Modern agriculture requires modern infrastructure," said Jeff Osentoski, the cooperative's president and CEO. "This investment strengthens our local presence and ensures we can continue supporting farmers in this region for decades to come." What role did port authority play? By going through the port authority's capital lease program, Heritage realized $270,000 in project savings. The program allows companies to reduce sales tax obligations on eligible project costs, lowering the overall investment burden while supporting regional economic competitiveness. Speaking up Many people who helped to make this deal possible spoke about its overall importance: • Caleb Stidham, Erie County treasurer and a port authority board member: Agriculture is a critical industry in Ohio, and the port authority is excited to work with Heritage Cooperative to support this investment in our region • Matt Lasko, the partnership's chief development officer: This project is a great example of how port authority tools can stretch every dollar of private investment. By working alongside Heritage Cooperative and the Wyandot County Office of Economic Development, we were able to reduce project costs while supporting critical agribusiness infrastructure and retaining quality jobs in north-central Ohio. • Greg Moon, who represents the Wyandot County Office of Economic Development: Through our work with the Erie County Port Authority and Greater Sandusky Partnership, we were proud to assist in making this project a reality. This significant investment enhances local capabilities and reflects Heritage Cooperative's strong commitment to our agriculture-rich community.