Port says it’s ready to take lead

Agency should help businesses, director says

The Lorain Port Authority is ready to take the lead in attracting new businesses to Lorain and helping existing ones grow, the Port’s executive director said.

Lorain City Council will consider how the city should promote economic development. Councilmanat-Large Mitch Fallis has proposed hiring a director for the work and Council will convene in its Finance & Claims Committee to discuss options.

On March 14, Port Executive Director Tom Brown told the Port board he wants to make his pitch for the Lorain Port Authority to become the lead agency for helping businesses in the city.

“We’re basically going to make a presentation stating that the Port can do these services, and what we have to offer,” Brown said.

“I want this to be the first stop,” said Brown, who became the new executive director on March 6. “I want to create an atmosphere where the city sends everybody here first.”

The work will become even more important in the next two months as Lorain transitions to a new director of building, housing and planning in City Hall, Brown said. Department Director Leon Mason this week confirmed he will leave that post for another municipal job.

With Mason leaving, the process to shore up economic

development could move more quickly, Brown said.

The Port has great parking at beautiful facility, the offices at 319 Black River Lane, that are close to the Black River. Sitting next to the water, “you’re in awe of Lorain,” Brown said.

Although city staff aim to be helpful, navigating that

seven-story building, with its expansive parking lot and entrance security, can be more difficult, he said.

Port board member Connie Carr asked if the city will create a position for an economic development director. Brown noted any discussion is preliminary and there is no final deal between the city and the Port for the work to attract and

retain businesses.

“I don’t know where they’re starting from,” Brown said about Lorain City Council. “I just want them to know the Port should be the economic developer.”

“You want to be part of the conversation,” said Port board Chairman Carl Nielsen.

“We need to be part of the conversation, they’re all aware,” Brown said.

“There’s a lot of different ways to go about this,” he said, suggesting several options for the city and Port to work together.

“But I think that, as I stated, we have to be the first stop.” In other business: • The Port and Rockin’ on the River on March 10 held a news conference to announce this year’s concert schedule.

Since then, the hype video for this season has gotten at least 13,000 views; it is posted at the Port’s Facebook page.

• The Port is redesigning www.lorainportauthority.com. The board members are critiquing the new site, which could be ready in as little as two weeks, said board member Steve Bansek.

A new ticketing system for Port events also will go live later this year, said Accountant Yvonne Smith.

• The board authorized using the website govdeals. com, an online auction and sales service, to dispose of obsolete, surplus and unused equipment.

The Port office also is home of the original Fresnel lens of the Lorain Lighthouse.

After the meeting, Brown noted the Port does not own the lens, but even if it did, the lens is a priceless artifact that will not be sold.

RICHARD PAYERCHIN — THE MORNING JOURNAL Lorain Port Authority Executive Director Tom Brown, second from left, talks with board members on March 14, as they prepare to watch the hype video for the 2017 Rockin’ on the River concert series. The meeting was Brown’s first as executive director...