Port Authority Eyes Acquisition of Former Call Center

VIENNA, Ohio – The board of the Western Reserve Port Authority unanimously approved a measure Wednesday that allows its staff to negotiate a deal toward the acquisition of the former InfoCision call center in Austintown.

“We’re still waiting for completion of additional agreements before moving forward,” Anthony Trevena, WRPA executive director, told board members at its regular monthly meeting. “While we have identified a strong partner for the space, we will respect the process and share specific details once all agreements are formally approved.”

The resolution approved by the board authorizes Trevena, on behalf of the WRPA, to acquire the property at 5740 Patriot Blvd. for an amount not to exceed $2.5 million.

The building once housed the call center operations for InfoCision, which vacated the building during the Covid-19 pandemic. The building, constructed in 1997, is approximately 52,317 square feet and was last remodeled in 2008, according to records from the Mahoning County Auditor’s office.

Trevena could not provide additional information regarding the potential acquisition or any prospective tenant. WRPA’s Board of Directors discussed the matter in executive session at a previous meeting.

“As always, our goal is to work closely with local leaders and stakeholders to ensure that this project aligns with the future vision of Austintown Township,” Trevena said.

Future Aviation Business

In addition, the board heard from Greg Heaton of CMT, the port authority’s preferred contractor at the Youngstown-Warren Regional Airport, which the WRPA manages. Heaton presented the results of a study commissioned a year and a half ago that identifies opportunities and recommendations related to future aviation business at the site.

“It really is a strategic plan,” Heaton said. The study encompasses the potential for development on land at the airport, the prospect for expanding aviation educational programs, enhancing the attraction of new cargo activity and marketing the airport as a prime location for maintenance, repair and overhaul, or MRO, companies.

The airport isn’t likely to become a major hub but could secure more business as a specialty cargo location, Heaton said.

Trevena said the airport is in a much better position today to pitch its assets and benefits to MRO facilities and other aviation-related businesses. Private aviation companies, for example, require consistent maintenance for their fleets, and it’s important to keep abreast of those MRO firms that are looking to expand. “You want to put your ear to the ground and find out who’s looking to expand, who’s looking to put a paint shop in,” he said.

Overall MRO business spending, the study found, is expected to increase to $10.1 billion in 2028 from just more than $6 billion in 2019.

Among the weaknesses the study identified is the airport’s proximity to larger airports such as Cleveland, Pittsburgh and Akon, and its limited recognition. On the other hand, its geographical location poses some strengths in that it is accessible to major interstate systems and metropolitan markets.

Lack of funding for new development projects, however, poses a threat to future initiatives at the site.

Still, the airport is well ahead of the curve in other areas, such as the establishment of a flight school in partnership with Youngstown State University, Heaton said. The venture plans to use a third party to operate the school, removing much of the bureaucracy when it comes to decision making.

Construction of the new flight school and training center should be underway by late 2025, although the airport has purchased two flight simulators. In September, the project received a $2.2 million grant from the U.S. Economic Development Administration.

Moreover, having organizations such as the Pittsburgh Institute of Aeronautics on the airport’s grounds is another benefit.

“Having PIA locally is a huge advantage,” Heaton said.

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