About Us
The Southeastern Ohio Port Authority (SeOPA) is a statutory agent of Washington County created by the County Commissioners.
MISSION: To establish and sustain a responsive, accountable, comprehensive and inclusive process which results in the most effective allocation of developmental resources for Washington County, to facilitate innovation, coordinate institutional capacities and stimulate employment and investment as a means to enhance the quality of life, work and opportunity for all County residents.
VISION: A Washington County economic development environment which is aware of its culture and tradition, relevant in a rapidly evolving and interdependent national and international economy and integrated in a regional network of resources and ideas which stimulate creativity, reward entrepreneurial skill, acknowledge technological adaptation and effective factor management and enhance workplace productivity and ingenuity.
Port authorities were originally created to operate actual maritime ports, lake and river ports, as well as airports. Over time, the legal powers of ports have proven useful in serving the public interest for economic development as 
well as navigation. While SeOPA does not operate a traditional port, under the Ohio Revised Code, port authorities are given certain powers in the areas of real estate development, financing and management of foreign trade zones. Unlike a city or county, SeOPA can buy land and construct a building that could be leased or sold to a business of its choosing at a privately negotiated price. SeOPA can issue tax-exempt (and therefore, lower interest bonds) on behalf of a private entity for the construction of new plant or equipment.
SeOPA is governed by 15 business and community leaders who are appointed by the Washington County Commissioners. David Haas, Vice-president of Morrison, Inc., is the Chairman; Norman E. (Jack) Haessly, Jr., President of Haessly Hardwood, is Vice-Chair; Attorney Tom Webster, Partner, McCauley, Webster & Emrick, Attorney at Law, is Secretary-Treasurer; and Ron Cooley, President of The Peoples Savings Bank is the Vice-Secretary-Treasurer. Other members include: Dave Archer, President of Pioneer Pipe; Jim Black, Business Consultant, Beverly OH; Mark Bradley, Controller, Magnum Magnetics; Scott Cantley, CEO, Memorial Health Systems; Dr. Bradley Ebersol, President of Washington State Community College; Dr. Charlotte Hatfield; Steve Keiser, Vice-President and Chief Operating Officer, Christy & Associates; Nathan Long, Maintenance Superintend, AEP, Muskingum River Plant; Daniel K. McGill, EVP Chief Commercial Lending Officer, Peoples Bank; Bobby Poage, Operations Leader at Kraton Polymers; and Evan Wetz, Vice-President of Operations, Wetz Companies (Wetz Warehouse, R.O. Transportation, and Riverview Logistics.)
SeOPA is funded through a public-private partnership. Over the years, up to 80 businesses and individuals have pledged funds to support the economic development efforts of the Port Authority.
SeOPA has adopted a Plan of Work, which we use to set priorities and guide our efforts. The Plan of Work is not a static document and will no doubt evolve with time. Nonetheless, we have created four over-riding goals:
1. Business attraction. SeOPA will work to communicate why Washington County is a good business location and a great place to live. SeOPA will then target businesses, industries, and people for recruitment.
2. Retention & Expansion (R&E) of Existing Businesses and Industries. Most “new” jobs in a community are typically created by existing businesses and industries in a community. Making sure a community is doing everything it can to keep area companies satisfied and help them to grow is a vital economic development function.
3. Community Leadership and Stewardship. Unfortunately, economic development is never so simple and straightforward that the product (or community) you are promoting is functioning perfectly without any problems. All communities have problems. Great communities figure out a way to address their problems together. SeOPA will work with the partner groups to help address our most pressing community issues that affect our business climate.
4. Building SeOPA for the long-term. As an organization that relies primarily on the support of donors, SeOPA needs to build good will and create a record of success. We need to be entrepreneurial and seek other revenue streams to support our operations and growth.