EDFA
The EDFA of Tuscarawas County is an Ohio Port Authority and serves as an economic development agency for Tuscarawas County. The EDFA provides a wide range of services and information to commercial businesses and builders and is managed by the Tuscarawas County Economic Development Corporation (EDC).
Chairman
Canal Tavern of Zoar
Zoar
A graduate of the Harvard Business School, Jon retired as Senior Vice-President and CIO of the Timken Corporation. He and his wife, Cindy, operate Canal Tavern of Zoar. Jon is active in the Zoar Community and continues to participate on a number of for-profit and not-for-profit organizations.
Secretary
Hanhart Law/Entrust Title
Dover
Dave is an attorney at Hanhart Law and owner of Entrust Title in Dover. A graduate of Case Western Reserve University School of Law and Dennison University, Dave is past Community Improvement Corporation Board member, past Tuscarawas County Community Foundation Board Member and past member of the YMCA Board and Board of Trustees. He currently volunteers at New Pointe Community Church.
Treasurer
Focused Finance Solutions, Founder
New Philadelphia
Jennifer Quicksall is a seasoned financial executive with experience in a wide variety of industries with operations and customers in over 30 countries. After 20 years serving in the corporate and private equity sector, she formed her own company in 2019 to use her skills to help business and companies in her community. Jennifer now provides flexible financial services to help small businesses and companies achieve their goals.
Director
Dennison Railroad & Museum
Dennison
Wendy is the director of the historical landmark Dennison Depot Railroad & Museum in Dennison. She is a co-creator of the Women’s Success Series and second vice president of the Community Improvement Corporation. She volunteers with historic Schoenbrunn Village and the Uhrichsville Clay Museum, and enjoys travelling, family activities and reading business books.
FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
What is the Economic Development and Finance Alliance (EDFA) of Tuscarawas County?
The EDFA of Tuscarawas County is an economic development agency.
Is the EDFA a Port Authority?
Yes, the EDFA was created as the Tuscarawas County Port Authority by the Tuscarawas Commissioners in 2000.
What is a Port Authority?
In Ohio, port authorities are government entities created by political subdivisions under Ohio Revised Code Section 4582.
Tuscarawas County commissioners created the Tuscarawas County Port Authority (now called the EDFA) in the year 2000 to promote the retention, expansion and acquisition of businesses in the county.
What do Port Authorities do?
Ohio law provides for port authorities to construct facilities, issue bonds, make loans and sell or buy real and personal property. Port authorities also possess many powers similar to other local governments in Ohio. Those functions include operating airports, river ports and lake ports; owning railroad lines; developing industrial and commercial property; owning and operating special facilities including a former Air Force base, a downtown theater, parks and a resort complex; managing foreign trade zones; serving as sources of bond financing for commercial development; and administering community and economic development programs.
The EDFA has:
Developed the Reeves Mill Business Park
Created the Business Factory a small business incubator for start-up businesses
Coordinated financing opportunities for growing businesses
Issued Conduit Bond Debt to support the growth of Businesses and Organizations in Tuscarawas County and the region
Redeveloped more than 70 acres of Brownfield land at four sites across the county
Renovated more than 1,000,000 square feet of manufacturing and office space
What can a Port Authority do that Other Government Entities Cannot?
One key function a port authority can perform that a city cannot is to sell and lease publicly owned property. In most cases, municipalities and counties must sell or lease through public bid. Port authorities are specifically exempted from this requirement and can be a conduit for the sale of excess government property for the benefit of economic development. Port authorities are also able to perform functions across jurisdictions, serving as a conduit for intergovernmental agreements and functions.
The EDFA’s territory encompasses all of Tuscarawas County, Ohio. However, we've also worked with federal agencies, the state of Ohio and other port authorities to serve businesses.
Do Port Authorities Receive Government Subsidy?
Some port authorities do receive a subsidy, though many do not. Port authorities are able to receive, appropriate and expend public funds. Many port authorities are supported by fees or leases on port authority facilities. Ohio law permits port authorities to levy a property tax when voted in by voters within the port authority's jurisdiction.
The EDFA is self-supporting. Our main sources of revenue are commercial leases, property sales, Building Plan Fees, and Public Warehousing Fees.
Are Port Authorities Exempt from Taxes?
Like many government entities, port authority net incomes and port authority property used for government functions are tax-exempt. However, facilities leased for commercial purposes are fully taxable.
The EDFA pays real property tax for those portions of its property that are leased to private companies.
Who Oversees Port Authorities?
Port authorities fall under a variety of checks and balances. For one, the political subdivision that creates a port authority is responsible for appointing the board of directors of the port authority and have the power to change or dissolve the port authority's charter.
The EDFA’s Board of Directors is appointed by the county commissioners. Additionally, the state auditor is responsible for auditing port authorities and publishing audit findings every two years. Finally, the records of port authorities are treated as public records (except certain confidential business data) and port authority board meetings are open to the public under Ohio's Sunshine Law.
ANNUAL REPORTS AND REVIEWS
Annual Reports & Reviews
EDFA public meeting records are available upon a public records request. Please click on the Events/Meetings tab below for meeting dates and times
