(Photo provided) The former 51 acre AMP-Ohio Gorsuch site on State Route 7 between Belpre and Marietta has been acquired by the Southeastern Ohio Port Authority for development as a multimodal transportation hub.

After months of work in that direction, the Southeastern Ohio Port Authority in Marietta announced Thursday that it has acquired the former AMP-Ohio Gorsuch Site with the goal of creating a multimodal transportation hub that will provide a critical link between the Ohio River, the railroad, and State Route 7.

SeOPA, in collaboration with the Washington County Commission, Washington County Treasurer Tammy Bates, and the Belpre Industrial Parkersburg Railroad, has acquired the 51-acre former American Municipal Power Gorsuch Site along State Route 7, between Marietta and Belpre.

Closed in 2012, the Gorsuch site offers a unique opportunity to develop a multimodal port facility that will meet the region’s growing demand for river-to-rail connectivity, said Port Authority Executive Director Jesse Roush. Linked by rail to SeOPA’s Muskingum River Industrial Park (MRIP), the site enables the seamless import of raw materials via the Ohio River, truck or rail transportation to Muskingum River Industrial Park in Waterford or other sites for value-added processing, and return shipment via truck or rail to the Gorsuch site for river export-thereby enhancing regional logistics and economic development, he said.

“We began our due diligence on this property in early 2021 when it became clear that connecting the Muskingum River Industrial Park to the Ohio River was a crucial next step in its development,” said Roush. “Transforming the Gorsuch site into a multimodal transportation hub not only enhances projects at our site in Waterford but also creates new opportunities to support the supply chain needs of our agricultural, construction, manufacturing, and transportation industries,” he said.

As part of its due diligence process, SeOPA secured grant funding from the Ohio Department of Development’s Brownfield Remediation Program to conduct extensive environmental and geotechnical assessments of the site. Through a partnership with the Buckeye Hills Regional Council, SeOPA also developed a Public Port and Infrastructure Feasibility Study, which will strengthen future state and federal grant applications.

(Photo provided) The former AMP-Ohio Gorsuch site on State Route 7 between Belpre and Marietta has been acquired by the Southeastern Ohio Port Authority for development as a multimodal transportation hub.

Additionally, OhioSE, the JobsOhio regional affiliate for Washington County, provided funding through Ohio University to conduct an Economic Impact Analysis. That analysis estimates a total economic impact of nearly $37 million, with the creation of more than 200 direct and indirect jobs.

With the recent establishment of the Ohio River Commission – tasked with providing critical advocacy and oversight for development along the Ohio River – SeOPA’s strategic due diligence and acquisition efforts have positioned the site for unprecedented state and federal grant competitiveness, Roush said.

“This project is a transformative initiative for Washington County and the entire region,” said Washington County Commissioner Charlie Schilling. “This investment reflects our commitment to supporting our Port Authority and its vision to create jobs and drive lasting economic impact for our residents. Thank you to Jesse Roush and the entire Port Authority Board for your leadership in making this project a reality.”

SeOPA serves as the leading economic development agency for Washington County. Dedicated to fostering strategic partnerships, SeOPA works to enhance the county’s infrastructure, tax base, workforce, and overall quality of life, Roush said. With a primary focus on site and infrastructure development, SeOPA strives to attract and retain businesses and jobs while also providing technical assistance and advocating for the county’s economic growth.