Could that site be changed into a commercial airport?  Seems like a discount airline would work attracting budget shoppers from the whole region.  Too bad the airport is south of Wilmington, not north where it would be adjacent to I-71.

 

A discount airline opening up in a new market in THIS economy? 

 

Why would an airline open up in a place that a) not a "destination" b) the major employer is closing up shop - so who can afford to fly? c) other airports in the immediate region.

 

With all due respect, that is just not a sound business decision or idea.

DHL willing to donate Air Park to state

 

http://news.cincinnati.com/article/20081110/BIZ/311100011

Boy it sure does stink being on the front of CNN's website :(

This is going to seriously hurt, though even the mayor acknowledges that it returns Wilmington to status quo ante of 5-10 years ago. It is clear that this is a deeply systemic problem at DHL that no amount of gov't money could save. Hopefully, somebody can figure a good use for the airfield (taping of America's version of Top Gear?). You have to wonder whether in 3-5 years there might be someone willing to use it for a business the size of the old Airborne Express, which is really what is surviving.

Could that site be changed into a commercial airport? Seems like a discount airline would work attracting budget shoppers from the whole region. Too bad the airport is south of Wilmington, not north where it would be adjacent to I-71.

 

A discount airline opening up in a new market in THIS economy?

 

Why would an airline open up in a place that a) not a "destination" b) the major employer is closing up shop - so who can afford to fly? c) other airports in the immediate region.

 

With all due respect, that is just not a sound business decision or idea.

 

Precisely what I was going to say.

 

I'd hope that any solution for Wilmington follows some sort of rational thinking.

10,000 Ohio jobs to vanish with DHL

Shipper leaving U.S. on Jan. 30, devastating Wilmington area

Tuesday,  November 11, 2008 3:10 AM

By Marla Matzer Rose

THE COLUMBUS DISPATCH

 

Thousands of workers in Wilmington might lose their jobs sooner than expected after yesterday's announcement that express shipper DHL plans to pull out of the U.S. shipping business as of Jan. 30.

 

The small city of Wilmington, 60 miles southwest of Columbus, has been girding for the loss of 10,000 or more jobs since late May. That's when DHL disclosed a planned deal to have UPS handle its shipments within the U.S., eliminating the need for most of the jobs at its largest U.S. hub at the air strip that was formerly part of Clinton County Air Force Base.

 

Now, for the first time, Wilmington has a firm date for at least the first wave of job losses to hit.

 

More at:

 

http://dispatch.com/live/content/national_world/stories/2008/11/11/DHL_wilmington.ART_ART_11-11-08_A1_CNBRNB8.html?sid=101

I've started this thread on a more local board (forum.wnewsj.com) and the response has been somewhat underwhelming, so I decided to bring it here where there might be a few more idea makers given the magnitude of this site compared to the other.

 

So, I'm calling on all dreamers, hopers and idea machines...

 

What can be done to prevent Wilmington and the surrounding area from economic catastrophe? Some ideas have been proposed and I'll share those below. Any comments or other prospects are surely welcome for discussion.

 

Ideas so far: http://energizecc.com/

This website came out today. A teacher at my school knew I was interested and pretty heavily involved in things and told me how a duo of Wilmington natives launched the grassroots effort in the past ten days. Like it says, its under construction, but a general idea can be generated from reading the information on the site.

 

Also, an idea I had was extending the CSX rail line to the Airpark and transforming it into an Air-Road-Rail Intermodal Transportation facility.

 

Any other ideas?

(mini-Dubai!)

I think the multi-modal facility is a great idea.  If I recall, there is a road/rail facility being build near Columbus.  This could be a great opportunity for connecting road/rail/air freight.

(mini-Dubai!)

 

If you are refering to Dubai's energy efficient city project... then yeah... thats what the idea is...

Masdar is what it is called.

Energizecc.com, a worthy project!

 

Does anyone here know if the DHL pullout is affecting the Wilmington Rt. 73 bypass plans yet? I checked the site http://www.wilmingtonbypass.com and it looks like business as usual. (Akshually, it looks like one of those never-updated web sites - the last news item is Oct. 2006.)

Actually... I e-mailed the district 9 (or whatever district it is) lady and she said that the DHL pullout has nothing to do with the construction of the bypass. The project, albeit, has been delayed, but is still happening.

 

I haven't seen any construction since about 6 months ago... they have the 1st phase finished, but that is all.

Wilmington: Now what?

Ripple effect of DHL-tied job losses felt all across Wilmington

By Dan Horn • [email protected] • November 30, 2008

 

WILMINGTON, Ohio - This is what a recession looks like: Empty storefronts in the heart of downtown with "For Rent" and "For Sale" signs hanging in the windows.  This is what a recession sounds like: The voices of hundreds of parents calling a charity hot line to ask for help buying toys for their kids this Christmas.  This is what a recession feels like: A married couple sitting at their kitchen table, trying to figure out how to pay the bills and keep their house when both are out of work.

 

This is Wilmington, Ohio, one of the early casualties of America's worst economic crisis in decades.

 

The impending loss of a DHL hub and about 7,000 jobs tied to the air delivery service means Wilmington is feeling the sting of recession sooner and more severely than most communities.  But the town's struggles with growing unemployment, slumping sales and shuttered businesses are a preview of the hardships many economists think await the rest of the nation.

 

FULL ARTICLE: http://news.cincinnati.com/article/20081130/BIZ01/811300384/1076/NEWS

 

thanks for the eulogy enquirer... but we're not dead yet.

^LMAO!  Well put!

Wilmington loss coming sooner than expected

Saturday,  December 13, 2008 3:25 AM

By Marla Matzer Rose

THE COLUMBUS DISPATCH

 

More bad news was delivered in Wilmington yesterday. DHL notified ABX Air that it plans to discontinue "a substantial portion" of its U.S. domestic express-package operations on Jan. 4.

 

That date is about four weeks sooner than previously announced and will result in the loss of 1,000 jobs in Wilmington as well as 900 jobs elsewhere for ABX employees.

 

More at:

 

http://dispatch.com/live/content/business/stories/2008/12/13/abxdhl_layoffs.ART_ART_12-13-08_A11_RNC7JH5.html?sid=101

The remaining DHL international services are probably going to end up back at CVG.  Their two large facilities there are one of the reasons I believe they were loosing as much money as they were.  Both of those facilities, the older one off Loomis Dr. by the rental cars, and the new one at the south end of the runway, were built with 99 year leases.  The newer one was built in what, 2003-04.  So they have another 94 years or so to pay on that place, which I assume isn't cheap.  That and the fact that they were still busing their original employees from CVG to Wilmington everyday.  Two hours of being paid on the bus ride up there, two hours of work, then two more hours of being paid to ride the bus back, all in buses a little bit nicer than a school bus.  That's not a very good business plan.

 

I also find it ironic that while DHL was announcing their withdrawal from domestic U.S. operations, FedEx has quietly announced the building of a large hub in Koln/Bonn.

A friend of mine that works for ABX (or still did a few days ago and may still) said that a move back to CVG was exactly what he thought would happen.  They spent a ton of money on that new facility and I don't think ever used it.

A relative of mine works at the DHL facility near CVG. It is currently offices used by about 200 folks. It is very empty and still used a little by DHL. It would seem logical if the UPS deal goes down to go status quo ante, especially since gas prices have come back down.

I know a co-worker's wife that works at CVG DHL. I see what she knows. It would be ironic if they move people back.

 

The warehouse is huge and empty. I walked through it when the Airbus 380 pay us a visit last year.

The husband of a teacher at my school in the number 3 pilot at ABX in seniority. She told me that ABX is broadening their market and they now have a charter between Belgium and New York. Good news!

DHL ending about 230 Cleveland-area jobs

Posted by rmezger December 15, 2008 12:51PM

 

DHL Express, the German-owned international shipping service, said it will end as many as 230 jobs in Beachwood and Strongsville starting Jan. 23.

 

DHL operates shipping and logistics stations on Mohawk Drive in Strongsville and on Mercantile Road in Beachwood. In letters to the mayors of the two Cleveland suburbs, Patricia Ann Burke, the company's vice president of labor relations, said that about 100 workers will lose their jobs at the Strongsville facility and that the Beachwood station would be closed, ending 130 jobs.

 

 

http://blog.cleveland.com/business/2008/12/dhl_ending_about_230_cleveland.html

 

Thousands of layoffs by DHL, ABX Air hit Wilmington, Ohio

By David J. Lynch, USA TODAY

 

WILMINGTON, Ohio — As hard times go, this is about as hard as it gets. The single-biggest employer in these parts is laying off about 7,500 men and women.

 

In a town of fewer than 13,000 people. In the midst of the worst financial crisis in generations.

 

"It's going to test us," says Mayor David Raizk. "The numbers are frightening."

 

Those numbers came in a Nov. 10 announcement by Deutsche Post World Net, the German owner of package-delivery company DHL. After investing five years and nearly $9 billion, DHL is abandoning its ill-starred effort to compete in the United States with FedEx and UPS. Winding down its U.S. business will eliminate 9,500 DHL positions around the country plus thousands more here at the company's local partner, ABX Air.

 

Find this article at:

http://www.usatoday.com/money/economy/2008-12-15-wilmington-dhl-abx-air-layoffs_N.htm 

 

60 Minutes did a big story on Wilmington, OH tonight and the effects of the DHL layoffs there.  It's a great piece that pays special attention to the human side of things.  You can watch or read the story at the following link:

 

http://www.cbsnews.com/stories/2009/01/22/60minutes/main4747832.shtml

Very impressed with how they handled this story.

^It was an outstanding 60 Minutes all around tonight. Glad to know at least one show understands what real video journalism is about.

 

I was thinking the same thing.  Their coverage on the drug Resveratrol was fantastic, as was their story on the West Bank and any potential for a two-state solution.  Great, great show.

That is amazing. They did a great piece on an economic disaster for this state and region. I remembered Wilmington being a fairly vibrant, and beautiful city. I'd hate to see the city's fortunes be reversed when DHL does can the airpark.

That story on Resveratrol was scary. Why do we need to live 20% longer and why should we be okay with people just getting fat sitting on the couch?

It was actually a great piece. Made me get a little emotional. The Pica family, their son (there was a shot of him playing a board game with the family) plays lacrosse with me. It hits really close and it hurts.

Have their been any more conversations about possible reuses for the airpark?  I like the multimodal idea mentioned earlier.

re reservatrol:  i see medicine not as an altruistic discipline, but one that keeps people around longer to CONSUME CONSUME CONSUME!!!!  it makes economic sense to keep consumers around longer. 

Have their been any more conversations about possible reuses for the airpark? I like the multimodal idea mentioned earlier.

 

The city recieved several RFIs and they are reviewing them I guess. The next step is to acquire the airpark. Hopefully DHL will donate it to the city. I am currently working with ENERGIZE Clinton County energizecc.com to push for a Green Enterprize Zone designation for Wilmington and Clinton County.

WILMINGTON AIR PARK

Three teams interested in developing shipping hub

Wednesday,  February 25, 2009 6:11 AM

By Marla Matzer Rose

THE COLUMBUS DISPATCH

 

Aircraft maintenance, manufacturing and distribution are among the uses envisioned for the DHL shipping hub in Wilmington that once employed more than 8,000 workers.

 

Three teams that have shown interest in redeveloping the area around Wilmington Air Park were identified yesterday during a meeting at Wilmington College that included the Wilmington Economic Task Force and the Ohio Department of Development.

 

German company DHL announced in May that it planned to work with UPS to handle its shipping within the United States, which would mean doing away with its own hub operations such as the one in Wilmington. The company later announced it would exit U.S. domestic shipping altogether.

 

More at:

 

http://www.dispatch.com/live/content/business/stories/2009/02/25/wilmington_airpark.ART_ART_02-25-09_C8_KKD1CDP.html?sid=101

I know a co-worker's wife that work)ed) at CVG DHL. I see what she knows. It would be ironic if they move people back.

 

The warehouse is huge and empty. I walked through it when the Airbus 380 pay us a visit last year.

What goes around comes around.

 

N. Ky. wants DHL back

By James Pilcher • [email protected] • March 30, 2009

 

HEBRON - DHL Monday confirmed the Cincinnati/Northern Kentucky International Airport is being considered for the international shipping giant's U.S. sorting base, and has been approved for nearly $2 million in Kentucky state tax breaks to help with such a potential move.

 

"DHL Express is investigating various options and carefully evaluating possible alternatives for its international express shipment sort operations, including the potential reactivation of the DHL facility at the Cincinnati-Northern Kentucky Airport (CVG)," the company said in a statement. "DHL has not made a decision on a location for its central sort facility. Rather, the incentive application is part of a broad exploration of all alternatives for the best operating platform for the US Express business."

 

To read more: http://news.cincinnati.com/article/20090330/BIZ01/903310305/1055/NEWS

DHL will move back to CVG

Business Courier of Cincinnati

 

DHL Express is moving its U.S. air cargo and package sorting operations back to the Cincinnati/Northern Kentucky International Airport, the company confirmed Friday.

 

As first reported by the Business Courier last month, the move will create about 830 jobs – 180 full-time, 650 part-time – at a DHL sorting facility in Boone County that’s been mothballed for the past four years. Those new positions will be in addition to about 200 existing jobs, mostly in back-office operations, that DHL has kept there since it relocated its sorting operations to Wilmington in 2005.

 

More at:

 

http://cincinnati.bizjournals.com/cincinnati/stories/2009/04/13/daily67.html

I'm very happy with this move. Like the article mentions, DHL used to operate this facility at CVG before they moved to the Wilmington airport. Hopefully the vast majority of workers hired will be ex-employees from Wilmington.

 

It's unfortunate the city of Wilmington has already been decimated by this whole tragedy.

Too bad CVG is 63 miles from Wilmington.

Some (though obviously very few) actually moved up to Wilmington when the move was made. The big numbers at these places, which is part-time package throwing, aren't worth moving. This should help some guys and gals pay for college in the Cincy area.

Leno brings laughs to Wilmington

By Tabari McCoy, Cincinnati Enquirer, May 10, 2009

 

WILMINGTON – In a town where the economy is no laughing matter, thousands of people enjoyed some comic relief Sunday thanks to "The Tonight Show" host Jay Leno.

 

Leno, who bills himself as a small-town guy made good, brought a crowd of 4,000 to the Roberts Centre here to watch the first of two free "Comedy Stimulus" shows. Announced in April, the shows followed similar performances in Detroit by the comedian, bringing some levity to areas hit hardest by economic woes.

 

DHL Express, the city's primary employer, has cut about 5,000 jobs, and more are expected to be lost in the small town (population 12,000) when the company shuts down all operations this summer.

 

Click headline above for full story:

Deal clears way for DHL's return to CVG

By Amanda Van Benschoten • [email protected] • June 9, 2009

 

HEBRON – Boone County Fiscal Court on Tuesday approved a $1.87 million tax incentive package for DHL Express, clearing the way for the company’s return to Cincinnati/Northern Kentucky International Airport.

 

Director of Hub Development Michael Schmitt said DHL will begin flying planes out of CVG in late July.

 

He said the company has already hired 600 of the planned 833 new employees, and it plans to hire the rest within the next few weeks.

 

More at:

 

http://news.cincinnati.com/article/20090609/NEWS0103/306090088/1055/NEWS/Deal+clears+way+for+DHL+s+return+to+CVG

DHL Express to donate Wilmington air hub

Business First of Columbus

Tuesday, January 5, 2010, 5:04pm EST

 

DHL Express is close to an agreement calling for the company to donate its Wilmington Air Park to the Clinton County Port Authority, so the 1,500-acre airfield can be redeveloped.  The disclosure of a pending deal was made by a task force of state and municipal officials and business executives in Wilmington, which is trying to recover from the loss of 8,000 jobs linked to DHL’s decision in 2008 to close its freight hub at the air park.

 

More at http://columbus.bizjournals.com/columbus/stories/2010/01/04/daily19.html

Development Department loan could bring jobs to Wilmington

By John Nolan, Staff Writer

Updated 8:44 PM Tuesday, April 26, 2011

 

WILMINGTON — Ohio’s decision to offer $15.2 million in financing to build an airplane maintenance hangar at the Wilmington Air Park could support 250 new jobs there, officials said Tuesday.

 

The Ohio Department of Development awarded the loan commitments to the Clinton County Port Authority, which would construct and own a maintenance and aircraft painting hangar, said state Rep. Cliff Rosenberger, R-Clarksville.

 

The jobs would be welcome in the Wilmington area, which was devastated by the loss of more than 8,000 jobs when DHL shut down its U.S. freight sorting and delivery hub there. It was the Wilmington region’s largest employer.

 

Read more at:

http://www.daytondailynews.com/business/development-department-loan-could-bring-jobs-to-wilmington-1145891.html

Amazon running secret air cargo operation from Ohio, reports say

By Tristan Navera, Staff Reporter - Dayton Business Journal

November 25, 2015, 7:23am EST

 

A new air operation in Wilmington Air Park has technology circles speculating that Amazon.com is testing air operations there.  LGSTX Services, a subsidiary of Air Transport Services Group (ATSG), is fielding a small cargo operation on a trial basis, moving cargo from trucks to airplanes and between airplanes, but has a non-disclosure agreement preventing it from discussing the operation, dubbed "Project Aerosmith," reports the Wilmington News Journal.

 

"Aerosmith," notes Vice tech blog Motherboard, has been the rumored secret venture of the online mega-retailer Amazon.com for greater control of its air cargo operations, a push driven in part by delays that meant some customers didn't have gifts on Christmas Day a few years ago, which were attributed to shipping partners and UPS.  Motherboard says the project launched in September on a trial basis, run by ATSG.

( . . . )

A large or permanent Amazon presence could be a huge win for Wilmington Air Park, which has been fighting back and bringing in small tenants since the Air Force station-turned cargo airport lost DHL US Express, which eliminated 7,500 jobs when it shut its hub in the city. ... This potential project comes as Amazon makes a big investment in Ohio.  Earlier this month the company confirmed it is opening two fulfillment centers in the central Ohio communities of Obetz and Etna Township.  Those centers will have a combined space of 1.8 million square feet and will employ nearly 2,000 people.

 

MORE: http://www.bizjournals.com/columbus/news/2015/11/25/amazon-running-secret-air-cargo-operation-from.html

More signs point to Amazon air hub in Ohio

By Andy Brownfield, Reporter - Cincinnati Business Courier

December 21, 2015, 6:52am EST

 

More national media are reporting evidence that e-commerce giant Amazon has big plans for an air cargo hub in Wilmington.

 

The Seattle Times reports that Amazon is negotiating to lease 20 Boeing 767 jets for its own air-delivery service, citing cargo-industry executives.  The jets could be used to expand a trial operation rumored to be run by Amazon out of the Wilmington Air Park codenamed Aerosmith.

 

Amazon expects to make a decision on whether to launch a larger air cargo operation by the end of January 2016, according to the paper.

 

MORE: http://www.bizjournals.com/columbus/news/2015/12/21/more-signs-point-to-amazon-air-hub-in-ohio.html

Wilmington air-transport firm confirms Amazon deal

By Marla Matzer Rose, The Columbus Dispatch

Wednesday, March 9, 2016 - 11:52 AM

 

Following months of speculation that Amazon was getting into air freight operations in Wilmington, Ohio, the cargo airline that operates there confirmed Wednesday morning that it has struck a deal with the online retailing giant.

 

Air Transport Services Group said in a press release that it now has a formal agreement with Amazon to operate an air transport network.  ATSG was the airline that served DHL, the express shipping firm that formerly controlled Wilmington’s cargo airport before announcing it would pull out of Wilmington in 2008.

( . . . )

The deal is the latest investment in Ohio announced by Amazon.  The company currently is building three data centers and two warehouses in central Ohio, all announced within the past year, along with a wind farm in northwestern Ohio.  In total, Amazon already has committed to investing $1 billion in Ohio and hiring more than 2,000 people as the projects come online.

 

MORE: http://www.dispatch.com/content/stories/business/2016/03/09/wilmington-air-transport-firm-confirms-its-in-deal-with-amazon.html

Amazon Prime Air cargo base in Ohio wants to boost capacity with 2nd runway

 

The Ohio airport that is home to Amazon.com Inc.'s Prime Air fleet of Boeing 767 cargo jets wants to reopen a second runway to increase its cargo capacity.  The Clinton County Port Authority is asking federal authorities to split the cost of the $1.5 million Wilmington Air Park expansion, reports Columbus Business First's sister publication in Dayton.

( . . . )

Amazon has stepped up operations in Ohio, including in the Columbus area where it has opened distribution centers and launched several big data centers.  Beyond that, the merchant has introduced a menu of retail delivery services, such as its restaurant meal service.

 

MORE: http://www.bizjournals.com/columbus/news/2017/01/09/amazon-prime-air-cargo-base-in-ohio-wants-to-boost.html

News yesterday from the Cincinnati-NKY International Airport thread - https://www.urbanohio.com/forum2/index.php/topic,3484.msg838025.html#msg838025

 

Amazon to create $1.4B air hub at CVG

 

The new service will be called Amazon Prime Air and Amazon will lease two parcels totaling 900 acres to house it. The land will be leased a fair market value for 50-plus years.

 

"They would like to get a shovel in the ground as soon as possible," McGraw said.

 

Unfortunately, this good news for the Cincinnati-NKY region is more bad news for the Wilmington Air Park.

 

From today's Dispatch article: http://www.dispatch.com/business/20170131/amazon-to-build-14-billion-hub-at-cincinnati-airport

 

"The decision means a loss of what could be several hundred jobs in Wilmington in southwestern Ohio, where Amazon had been developing some air-freight operations."

( . . . )

"Amazon has been operating an air-transport network with Air Transport Services Group in Wilmington for more than a year.  The news of Amazon's move to the Cincinnati airport came as a surprise, Dan Evers, executive director of the Clinton County Port Authority said."

Does anyone know how much this cost the state to turn into an interstate, or what the details are?  I am really curious, drove it today and was probably the most empty 4 lane highway I've ever had the pleasure of driving:

 

https://www.google.com/maps/place/Wilmington,+OH+45177/@39.4647768,-83.846139,3a,75y,274.35h,81.75t/data=!3m7!1e1!3m5!1sFxtjlr13ADOHiqjbIYwOzA!2e0!6s%2F%2Fgeo2.ggpht.com%2Fcbk%3Fpanoid%3DFxtjlr13ADOHiqjbIYwOzA%26output%3Dthumbnail%26cb_client%3Dmaps_sv.tactile.gps%26thumb%3D2%26w%3D203%26h%3D100%26yaw%3D357.33652%26pitch%3D0%26thumbfov%3D100!7i13312!8i6656!4m5!3m4!1s0x8840c6da6816c6ed:0x5f54986697bbd03!8m2!3d39.4453393!4d-83.8285375

Probably at least $40 million. Somebody probably didn't want 73 multiplexed with 22 through town.