Recent projects in Washington County

From industrial parks to residential revitalization, SeOPA’s strategic investments are creating jobs, boosting local businesses, and enhancing the lives of Washington County’s residents.

Project Spotlight:
The Ingenuity Center

The Ingenuity Center, a 35,000SF manufacturing facility in Reno, was completed in 2014. SeOPA secured a total of $2.2M in grants and loans to fund the project.

Shortly after completion, the building was leased by Grae-Con Construction, who occupied the building until purchasing it from SeOPA in 2021.

This project facilitated the creation and retention of more than 50 skilled manufacturing jobs while generating nearly $250,000.00 in new tax revenues.

The Ingenuity Center has since been sold to the Plumber & Pipefitters Local 168 as a combined office and training space.

Project Spotlight:
Muskingum River Industrial Park

Acquired by SeOPA in 2021, the former AEP-Ohio Muskingum River Plant is being developed and marketed at the Muskingum River Industrial Park, the region’s largest available industrial park.

The perfect site for heavy industrial manufacturing, SeOPA is prioritizing development opportunities that restore some of the 400+ jobs that were lost when AEP shuttered the facility in 2015.

The site has also garnered attention from data center developers, with a proposed 200MW high-performance data center currently leasing a small section of the industrial park. 

Project Spotlight:
Bond Issuances

Since its inception in 2002, SeOPA has issued more than $250M in bond funding to facilitate some of the largest investments in Washington County’s history.

This includes more than $200M in funding for Memorial Health Systems for building, expansion, and renovation projects at its Belpre and Marietta campuses. SeOPA supported the construction of the Good River Distribution, LLC water plant on SR7 with bond funding in 2013. That facility serves the majority of the county’s industrial manufacturing base and aided in the retention of 500 jobs.

In 2020, SeOPA issued nearly $34M in bonds to Marietta College for construction and renovation projects that supported academic and athletic programs alike.  

overhead view of Marietta College campus

Project Spotlight:
Residential Revitalization Program

In partnership with the City of Marietta, SeOPA has launched the Residential Revitalization Program. This initiative aims to support economic revitalization, enhance safety, and improve the quality of life for residents by addressing both known and unknown environmental issues related to blighted residential properties throughout Marietta. A successful program will not only increase the housing stock in our community but also boost community morale.

To date, SeOPA has purchased and demolished the most historically blighted property in Marietta, located at 605 Pearl Street. This action has significantly improved community safety.

Currently, SeOPA is exploring the highest and best use of this property for the benefit of local residents.

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