Marietta Industrial Enterprises’ CEO Scott Elliott said Friday he was surprised to discover that the Washington County Commission denied his letter of support during the commissioners’ regular meeting on Thursday.

“This isn’t the first time they’ve supported the Southeastern Ohio Port Authority instead of us,” said Elliott.

The Maritime Administration (MARAD) administered a grant program called the Port Infrastructure Development Program (PIDP). The program was awarded a total of $500 million through the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act, and the Full-Year Continuing Appropriations and Extensions Act 2025.

In order to apply for the grant, a key component for eligibility is the partnership between the port and a governmental entity.

“Since that funding is available, we figured we’d ask to partner with the commissioners and apply for the grant,” said Elliott.

During Thursday’s meeting, Commissioner James Booth said they should be partnering with private and local entities. Commissioners Charlie Schilling and Eddie Place were in approval of the partnership with the port authority instead.

In February, the commission approved the community development fund for $1.5 million for the port authority to purchase the AMP-Gorsuch Site. Schilling said Thursday that his role was to “protect the investments the county has made.”

Elliot said MIE started in 1960 and that they’ve been in business in Marietta since 1979 and provide barge to truck to warehouse services in the county. He said they are currently working with four international companies and are trying to increase jobs in the area.

“What Jesse (Roush) said Thursday about the port authority being the only port-to-rail link in a 225 mile stretch of river was incorrect because we’ve been doing that,” said Elliott.

Elliott said they also transport a variety of aggregates, not just coal, and handle inbound and outbound materials.

During the meeting on Thursday, Phillip Schaffer with the Washington County Grant Department said that if the commissioners don’t approve the letter of support, then MIE can go to Marietta Township for a partnership.

“We have to find out when their meeting is and we may have to request a special meeting but we’re still figuring out what our plan is,” Elliott said. “I really don’t know why the commissioners decided to turn us down.”

Elliott said that they have made efforts to work with the port authority in the past but “it appears like they want to do their own thing.

He said they’ve been working closely with the community for years and this will be their 49th year supporting and helping with the Ohio River Sternwheel Festival in September.

The application deadline for the Fiscal Year 2025 PIDP was extended to Sept. 10.