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Aviation history in Clinton County goes back nearly 100 years, when the land that is now the Wilmington Air Park was first established as a local airport in 1929, and with continued and expanded use through World War II.
With programs in Agriculture, Business, Computer Science, Engineering, Health Science, and more, Southern State Community College enhances the labor pool for all of Clinton County.
Clinton County is home to Wilmington College, a private, liberal arts, college that has been providing value-based education to thousands of students from around the world for 150 years.
Wilmington Air Park is an integrated Aviation and Logistics Business Park in the heart of Clinton County. With 1,900 acres, two parallel runways (10,701’ and 9,000’ in length) capable of landing virtually any aircraft made today, 2.8 million square feet of warehouse, cargo, hangar, and office space, 14 different employers, and over 4,000 employees, the Air Park was named Best Ohio Airport for 2020 by Ohio Business Magazine.
The Port Authority's Economic Development Program won recognition from both the MidAmerica Economic Development Council and the International Economic Development Council in 2021 for its innovative marketing and public awareness programs.
From picnicking to trails, from soccer to baseball, Splash Pads to Skate Parks, adult sports and basketball and tennis courts, city parks to state parks, outdoor recreation opportunities abound throughout the county.
With over six dozen service organizations open to individuals of all ages and all interests, Clinton County fosters a culture of community service and social responsibility that is reflected in the civic, social, academic, and volunteer life of its residents.
Clinton County is located between, and easily accessible from, three major metro areas – Cincinnati, Columbus, and Dayton – providing access to international commercial airports, professional sports, cultural events, and dozens of institutions of higher and continuing education.
With free, fun, family-friendly activities all year long, Clinton County is a great place to call home for employees and their families, as well as for the business community.
As the highest ranked airport in Ohio for cargo volume, the Wilmington Air Park continues to attract the attention of cargo operators, due to its location and the efficiencies of operating at a cargo-only airport, handling 31% more freight than all other Ohio airports combined. The Air Park has long been a well-positioned logistics center for freight and cargo operations, processing 512 million pounds of freight through the airport in the 12 months ending August 2022, making it 25th in the nation. It was named "Best Airport in Ohio" by Ohio Business Magazine in 2020, 2021, and 2022.
Staffed 24/7 during snow operations (or when snow is anticipated), and with over 40 pieces of snow removal equipment on site and available, operational delays due to winter weather at the Wilmington Air Park are few and far between.
The Clinton County Workforce Collaborative has been recognized by the Ohio Educational Service Center Association and the Association of Educational Service Agencies for their innovative approaches to fostering school and community connections and workforce education and training, and for their creative solutions to barriers to work.
Wilmington has always been home to cutting-edge businesses, going all the way back to Champion Bridge Company, which began in 1872 when founders Jonathan and Zimri Wall adopted the use of wrought iron for bridges. Today, Clinton County businesses are leading the way in logistics, advanced manufacturing and bioscience.
The Clinton County Port Authority marked 10 years of ownership of the Wilmington Air Park in the summer of 2020, a decade that saw exponential growth in tenancy and employment at the Air Park, and a commitment to building a strong local business community.
With help from the Ohio Department of Transportation and the State of Ohio, the Clinton County Port Authority has invested nearly $5 million in infrastructure at the Wilmington Air Park over the last 5 years.
The Clinton County Port Authority truly embraces a team culture, with all-staff meetings to help continuity of operations and build camaraderie. Recognizing the importance of work-life balance, staff members are given the time and flexibility to engage in volunteer opportunities to give back to the community. All of this, in addition to an engaged Board of Directors and an “open door” policy from leadership led Ohio Business Magazine to name us a Best Workplace in Ohio for 2021 – the second year in a row!
The Clinton County Port Authority is proud to partner with OhioMeansJobs Clinton County, the Southern Ohio Educational Service Center, and the Wilmington-Clinton County Chamber of Commerce in the Clinton County Workforce Collaborative to tackle the critical and multifaceted issues surrounding workforce development, employee retention, and employee recruitment in Clinton County and the surrounding region.
In just 6 months, the SBDC secured $1,480,000 in commercial loans for small businesses in Clinton County, with another $463,000 in applications pending, for over a dozen businesses.
With over 50 years of experience in Economic Development in Ohio, and established relationships with regional and state organizations, the Clinton County Port Authority staff is here to serve you!
