As independent units of government, Ohio port authorities may conduct the traditional water, air and other transportation activities, as well as own property and provide financing for local economic development initiatives. Ohio law defines the “authorized purposes” of a port authority (and provides various powers to port authorities to further those authorized purposes) as follows,

• Activities that enhance, foster, aid, provide, or promote transportation, economic development, housing, recreation, education, governmental operations, culture, or research within the jurisdiction of the port authority.
  
  
• Activities authorized under Sections 13 and 16 of Article VIII, Ohio Constitution (permitting aid to private enterprises to promote economic development and housing in Ohio).

The law further defines a port authority facility as...

• real or personal property, or any combination thereof, owned, leased, or otherwise controlled or financed by a port authority and related to, useful for, or in furtherance of, one or more authorized purposes.
  

Click here to learn more about the Port Authority.