The Lorain Port Authority was established on May 4th, 1964. The following information is an overview of the Port Authority's first 40 years of operation.

1964

• U.S. Army Corp of Engineers allocation of $22 million in funds for harbor improvements.
• July 1964, first formal action of agency, adoption of "Official Plan for the Port of Lorain, Ohio". Comprehensive plan to guide port development.
• November 3, 1964 port operating levy approved by voters.

1966-1967

• Port advocates redesign of Norfolk Southern Railroad Bridge to accommodate ocean-going vessels.
• Agency takes first formal action to assist local industry. Issues $7 million in Industrial Revenue Bonds (IRBs) to the American Shipbuilding Company to construct 1,000-foot dry dock facility.
• Adache Report unveiled. Highway and port access plan. Envisioned freeway access around Lorain via Lake Erie.

1974

• Port issues $3.5 million in IRBs to assist Allied Oil (Division of Ashland Oil) in the construction of fuel storage tanks along the Black River.

1975

• Port issues an additional $2.8 million in IRBs to American Ship building Company for improvements to the company's dry dock facilities.

1976

• Port and City Officials coordinate efforts by U.S. Army Corps of Engineers to construct 58-acre diked disposal site on the city's eastside.

1980

• Issuance of $37 million in IRBs to assist Republic Steel (LTV Steel) in the construction of the Lorain Pellet Terminal ore transshipment facility.

1981-1982

• Floating tire breakwall constructed along east pier. Served as interim breakwall until permanent structure built in 1987.
• Port begins operation of Marine (Harbor) Patrol Program.
• 'Operation Lighthouse' Port Authority and other civic, union trades and business groups spearhead efforts to paint exterior of the historic Lorain Lighthouse.

1985-1986

• Strategic Development Plan for the eastside waterfront calls for both public and private investment to spur redevelopment. Plan advocates construction of full service marina, acquisition of property for public access and additional public launching facilities.

1987

• Small Boat Harbor/Breakwall. July 1987, permanent breakwall along east pier dedicated by U.S. Army Corps of Engineers. Project set the stage for permanent, full-scale marina development in harbor area.

1988

• Marina International (now Spitzer-Lakeside Marina) constructed.
• Port Authority issues $5.1 million in port development bonds to assist in project financing.
• Port Authority awarded $427,000 grant from O.D.N.R. for marina parking lot project.

1989

• Port issues additional $1.5 million in port development bonds to assist in marina expansion to 600 slips.
• Black River Master Plan-Port Authority awarded $50,000 grant from Ohio Department of Transportation to develop land use master plan for the Black River.
• Port acquires property along Lakeside Avenue for public access to lakefront.
• May 1989, community approval of one-mil, five-year operating levy for the agency.

1990-1991

• Lakeside Landing Five acre public access park along Lake Erie shoreline constructed. First project built utilizing levy funds. Total project cost $700,000.

1991-1994

• Riverside Park Redevelopment-Port Authority redevelops small riverfront park adjacent to the Charles Berry Bascule Bridge. Port awarded $70,000 grant from O.D.N.R. to assist in project financing. Total project cost $700,000.

1991

• Port of Lorain Foundation, Inc. created by the Port Authority to spearhead Lorain Lighthouse renovation effort.
• Port of Lorain Foundation, Inc. kicks off capital fundraising campaign.
• Congressman Donald Pease announced a $500,000 line item Federal House Energy and Water Development Appropriation Bill for repair of the lighthouse base.
• State Representative Joseph F. Koziura captured $150,000 through the State of Ohio captial budget for lighthouse renovation efforts.

1994

• May 1994, one-mil, five year operating levy renewed.

1995

• LTV Steel donates 25-acre 'Grove Site' property along the Black River to the Port Authority for the sum of $10. Project envisioned as civic and cultural site. Plans call for development of intermodal transportation center (commuter rail hub), festival grounds and public access areas.

1996-1997

• Brush Wellman, Port issues $8.3 million in IRBs. Twenty-eight (28) new jobs are created.
• First project involving issuance of bonds by the Port Authority outside traditional waterfront area.
• Port Authority awarded a total of $1 million in grants to construct new boat launch facility along Black River.
• Ohio Public Works Commission awards $243,000 in funds to City of Lorain and Port Authority for construction of 14th Street access road to Black River and launch ramp.
• Commuter Rail Demonstration Run-Port Authority , with Cleveland RTA, plays key role in promoting commuter rail access to Lorain.
• Dredge Pipeline Removal-Following 10 years of negotiations with the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, dredge pipeline, which dissected the Lorain Harbor, removed.
• July 1997, dedication of new $2.1 million Black River Wharf Boat Launch Ramp. Project receives national award for design.
• Port Authority/City of Lorain Cooperative Agreement-Port/City complete working agreement to develop an industrial park on the City's eastside to attract new businesses, create jobs and provide opportunities for business expansion.
• Lorain Marine Patrol Program-Port Authority and Lorain Police Department enter agreement for joint operations of Marine Patrol Program.

1997-1998

• Colorado Industrial Park-Joint project between Port Authority and City of Lorain. Constructed $1.4 million, 24-acre industrial park, along Colorado Avenue.
• Port/City team awarded $1 million in grants for State of Ohio for infrastructure improvements to Colorado Industrial Park.
• Advanced Automotive Systems, Inc. (AAS) Project-Port/City construct $2.8 million, 67,500 sq. ft. manufacturing facility in Colorado Industrial Park.
• AAS is first project tenant. Project to create 130 jobs over 5 years. Currently, 200+.

1998-1999

• U.S. Postal Service Distribution Center-Colorado Industrial Park, second project tenant. $4 million project began Spring 1999. Completed December 1999.
• Upper Black River Master Plan-Port/City awarded $40,000 grant from O.D.N.R. to develop master plan for 400 acres of land located along the Black River, south of Colorado Avenue. Initial concepts provide for extension of the Colorado Industrial Park, public access along the Black River and re-use of the former City landfill as a golf course.
• Colorado Industrial Park Phases II and III-Ohio Department of Development awards additional $1 million in grants to Port Authority and City of Lorain for industrial Park expansion.
• Landfill Environment Assessment Project-Port Authority commissioned environmental study re-use of former Root Road Landfill. Project to be completed 1999.
• Lakeside Public Restrooms-Port awarded $60,000 grant from O.D.N.R.'s nature works program to construct public restroom facility. Project completed Spring 1999. Total project cost $85,000.
• Black River Intermodal Transportation Center-December 1998, the Ohio Department of Transportation announced allocation of $3.5 million in funds for development of an intermodal transportation center on the Grove Site. Coupled with $3.45 million allocation of funds through the Federal TEA-21 Program, total project allocation approximately $7 million.
• Transportation center envisioned as commuter rail hub for City of Lorain and Lorain County.

1999

• May 4, one-mil, five year operating levy renewed.
• Diked disposal site public parking area expanded.
• Port Authority acquires property from CSX Transportion for Grove Site Project in the amount of $210,000.

2000

• ODNR $58,600 grant awarded for Eastside Launch Ramp upgrade
• AAS 20,000 sq. ft. expansion project
• American Wind Orchestra Performance at Riverside Park

2001

• Contract awarded for Black River Transportation Center Project to J.D. Williamson Construction Company of Tallmadge, Ohio
• August 15, LPA breaks ground on the $6.95 million Black River Transportation Center at the Grove Site
• AAS 40,000 sq. ft. expansion/Colorado Industrial Park
• Port Authority and Port of Lorain Foundation, Inc. entered into an agreement for Black River Landing Sponsorship Project

2002

• USEPA awarded $29,000 grant for establishment of Aquatic Fish Habitat at Black River Landing
• Ohio Rail Development Commission awarded $7,696 grant for acquisition of CSX rail line at Black River Landing

2003

• Inaugural season for Black River Landing
• Festivals and events attract over 300,000 people to the waterfront
• Port Acquires 24 acres of land from LTV Steel for $210,000 (Property located north of Black River Wharf Boat Launch Ramp)
• Port Authority now owns over 75 acres of land along the Black River
• Port celebrates Ohio’s Bicentennial with Tall Ship Europa during Port Fest
• Board of Directors places 1 Mill replacement levy on March 2004 primary ballot

2004

• May 2, one-mil, five year operating levy replaced
• Award of $200,000 for Lighthouse Shuttle Project announced by Senator Mike DeWine and Congressman Sherrod Brown
• Independent League baseball stadium proposed for property adjacent to Black River Wharf Boat Launch Ramp
• ODNR awards $51,000 for dredging grant for harbor area
• Tall Ship HMS Bounty visits Port of Lorain for educational dockside tours
• Riverside Marina building and dockage leased to Port of Lorain Foundation for use as a Lighthouse Museum
• Partnership formed with Lorain County MetroParks and the City of Lorain to develop the 54-acre property known as the Diked Disposal Site; Planning Task Force created
• Recognized the 40th Anniversary of the Lorain Port Authority

2005

• Initiation of Street Car/ Trolley Project to connect components of Lorain’s waterfront
• 501c3 corporation was formed to initiate the project
• Board of Directors authorizes Excursion Boat study to promote intermodal transportation to western Lake Erie destinations
• Port develops Lorain’s own Farmers’ Market at Black River Landing
• Partnership formed with US Army Corps of Engineers Buffalo District for waterfront project coordination
• Board of Directors authorizes land sale to AAS/Camaco for 45,000 sq. ft. expansion which will include the creation of additional jobs in Lorain
• Received earmark of $500,000 through the Federal TEA-21 Budget (Transportation Equity Act for the 21st Century) for the Excursion Vessel Project

2006

• Black River Landing Stage Constructed.
• Port enters into partnership with Palace Theater for “Movies Under The Stars” and a Saturday night Summer Concert Series. The inaugural season attracted thousands to Black River Landing.
• Awarded $25,000 ODNR Office of Coastal Management grant to prepare a master plan for the Diked Disposal Site
• Received earmark of $600,000 through the Federal SAFTEALU Budget (Safe, Accountable, Flexible, Efficient Transportation Equity Act—A Legacy for Users) for the Excursion Vessel Project

2007

• Awarded $60,000 NOACA TLCI grant for Black River Landing Rail Corridor and Site Access Study
• Awarded $75,000 ODNR Office of Coastal Management grant for Riverwalk Project
• Contracted with Crosby Yacht to build two shuttle boats for service to the Lorain Lighthouse and Black River Nature tours, 2007 was inaugural season of tours
• Permanent decorative fencing was added at Black River Landing for aesthetic and security purposes
• LPA and City of Lorain formed a Joint Waterfront Development Committee and contracted with global real estate advisory firm Staubach to assist in the RFP process for waterfront development encompassing over 100 acres of City and LPA property along the waterfront in Lorain
• LPA initiated and promoted a Development Finance program through partnership with the Cleveland-Cuyahoga County Port Authority
• Lorain-Vermilion Water Trail Project initiated through partnership of LPA, City of Lorain, Lorain County MetroParks, City of Vermilion, Vermilion Port Authority, Erie County MetroParks, Mainstreet Vermilion, and Lorain Growth Corp to apply for water trail designation through ODNR for the purpose encouraging tourism and eco-friendly educational, historical, cultural, and recreational activities on the Vermilion River, Black River, and Lake Erie.
• Diked Disposal Site Master Plan, prepared by Behnke Associates, adopted by LPA and includes multiple phases of development on the 58-acre lakefront confined disposal facility.
• Lorain Marine Patrol awarded “Outstanding Marine Patrol Unit” Award and Officer Dale Masten received the prestigious “Officer of the Year Award”.
• A Taste of History event produced and added as an annual LPA event
• LPA partnered with the City of Lorain and Lorain County to complete the Bascule Bridge Lighting Project. The project was unveiled during the Lorain International Festival at Black River Landing.
• Reflective Garden and Historical Monument project completed in honor of the Lorain Underground Railroad Station 100. This project was made possible through many volunteer hours, donations, and sponsorships.

• The Lorain Port Authority was the second port authority created in Ohio. The Toledo-Lucas County Port Authority was the first, while the Cleveland-Cuyahoga County Port Authority was the third.
• Of the 10 1,000-foot vessels currently in operation on the Great Lakes, 5 were built in Lorain. The first 1,000-foot vessel built in Lorain was the James R. Barker, which was launched in 1976.
• The 1,000-foot vessel is capable of carrying 60,000 tons of iron ore. This is equivalent to 3,000 truckloads of material.
• Mary Jo Cook was the first 'Chairwoman' of a port authority board of directors in the United States.
• In the 1980's, the Lorain Port Authority repaid all of the money provided by the City in the early years to assist in initial operations.
• The Lorain Port Authority has the only Marine Patrol Program operating in the State of Ohio not administered by a police or sheriff department.
• Since 1990, local tax dollars have generated $8.5 million in matching funds from the State and Federal governments to support port projects.
• The Black River Wharf Boat Launch Ramp was presented with a national Outstanding Project Award for its design in 1997.