TOLEDO, Ohio, July 27, 2009 – The Ohio Department of Development through the Development Financing Advisory Council (DFAC) recommended today that Toledo Express Airport receive $2,782,996 in the form of a Logistics and Distribution Stimulus loan for the improvement of the existing BAX Global Cargo Hub located at Toledo Express Airport. The loan is part of the Ohio Bipartisan Job Stimulus Plan and the application was submitted by the Lucas County Improvement Corporation.

Representatives from the Lucas County Improvement Corporation and the Toledo-Lucas County Port Authority presented the project to DFAC today and the recommendation is scheduled for approval by the State Controlling Board on August 24, 2009.

The loan provides BAX Global the ability to improve its operation and will enable the Toledo-Lucas County Port Authority to attract new business to the area. The Sorting Facility will be enlarged to provide more work space and larger doors will be installed to accommodate wide body aircraft. This will provide greater capacity to efficiently handle bulk load operations and processing through the U.S. Customs Service. A cross dock will be installed to expedite the handling of air to truck and truck to air cargo; which will decrease inventory storage by streamlining the flow between the supplier and the manufacturer. The loan of $2.8 million may be forgiven upon attainment of the project’s specific terms.

The total project cost is approximately $7.2 million and is expected to create more than 36,000 man hours in the construction phase of the project and allows Lucas County to retain more than 800 jobs. The project is expected to take 12-18 months to complete. The remaining project funding comes in the form of a $1 million contribution from BAX Global and the LCIC is anticipating the remaining $3.4 million to come from the U.S. Department of Commerce Economic Development Administration in the form of a grant. Further details will be released at a news conference after approval is received from the State Controlling Board and other funding is solidified.

“This award, coupled with the dollars earned for Ironville Docks recently, further demonstrates the benefits of our community working together. With the combined efforts of the LCIC, the RGP and the Toledo-Lucas County Port Authority, the state of Ohio recognized that Lucas County - in its entirety -supported this project,” says Joseph Zerbey, Chairman, LCIC Board of Directors.

“This project benefits from a broad base of political support and I would like to specifically thank Representative Szollosi, Representative Ujvagi and Commissioner Gerken for being steadfast advocates for Toledo Express and BAX Global,” says Michael J. Stolarczyk, President of the Toledo-Lucas County Port Authority. “Toledo Express Airport has an economic impact of $640 million for northwest Ohio. Reinvestments in this regional asset, such as this loan and the $1 million commitment from BAX Global, ensure our viability and encourage growth.”

Blake Culver, Program Manager for the Regional Growth Partnership (RGP) led the writing of the awarded Job Stimulus Logistics and Distribution proposal in conjunction with LCIC and Toledo-Lucas County Port Authority representatives.

"We appreciate the opportunity to support our regional partners in securing this grant," said Steve Weathers, president and CEO of the Regional Growth Partnership. "This demonstrates that the northwest Ohio community is working proactively to create new jobs, investment and wealth in our region."

Toledo Express serves as the main North American Hub for BAX Global, an international air cargo company that has been located at the northwest Ohio airport for more than 15 years. BAX Global is a subsidiary of Deutsche Bahn AG, which is one of the largest mobility and logistics companies in the world. Weekly round trip flights from Dubai to Toledo have been linking markets in Asia, Europe and the U.S. since 2007.

BAX Global leases a 300,000 sq. ft. facility, including 4,500 sq. ft. of cold storage, from Toledo Express Airport. BAX Global operates approximately 20 domestic and international flights daily on which it provides capacity to freight forwarders. BAX Global’s operations offer a North American distribution network. Companies with products requiring quick transport and specific temperatures are finding Toledo Express one of the fastest and most consistent ways to move products internationally.

“We are grateful to the State of Ohio for this award which will allow us to further enhance our cargo and logistics offerings at our North American hub,” says Todd Hines, BAX Global Director - Hub Operations. “We look forward to working with Lucas County and the Toledo-Lucas County Port Authority on this project.”

The Toledo-Lucas County Port Authority’s business is transportation. That business is shaped by our mission to move people and cargo through the region while employing innovative finance programs to stimulate economic development. For more information, please visit www.toledoportauthority.org.