Scioto County’s economic development future is now in question as county commissioners reveal they were misled into reinstating embattled former Port Authority Director Robert Horton from paid administrative leave. Commissioners Cathy Coleman and Bryan Davis, who previously supported Horton’s return, expressed regret and even feelings of betrayal after learning there was no financial risk to the county—contrary to what they were initially told.
Economic Development in Limbo
“There’s been no determination as to even what economic development looks like in Scioto County going forward,” Commissioner Scottie Powell stated. The Southern Ohio Port Authority (SOPA), once a key driver of economic development, has been crippled by scandal, leaving the county uncertain about its next steps.
SOPA’s troubles continue to mount, with another resignation leaving two vacant board positions. Powell urged those interested in joining to reach out, saying, “If anybody is interested in serving the port, please send an email of interest to one or all three commissioners.”
SOPA currently lacks a director, further complicating its ability to function. “There’s going to be a big lift in terms of stabilizing the Port Authority,” Powell noted. “There’s going to be more work, specifically from the board members, because there’s not currently a director doing the day-to-day stuff.”
Horton’s Reinstatement: A Costly Mistake?
Horton, facing a 15-count indictment on charges including theft in office, money laundering, and bribery, was initially placed on administrative leave. Despite the allegations, commissioners Davis and Coleman voted to reinstate him, citing urgent financial concerns related to an important bond. However, Powell, who opposed the reinstatement, revealed that the Port Authority’s attorney recently clarified that the county was never at financial risk.
“The issue at hand was really between the bondholder and PureCycle,” Powell explained. “We asked, ‘Had this not happened, what was the impact to the county?’ To my surprise, he said, ‘really, there’s not a financial impact.’”
Coleman, who previously voted for reinstatement, admitted she felt deceived. “I’ve made it very clear that my decision to call him back was because of the discussion and prompting that we would be in dire straits financially. It was quite disheartening to be told that there was no potential threat like that. I really don’t know what to say about it.”
Davis echoed her sentiment but refrained from calling it a betrayal. “I wouldn’t use the word betrayal. I’d use the words regret and sorrow. We are finding things out we may not have known then.”
A Scandal Unfolds
Horton’s indictment shocked the county, but the recent revelation about his reinstatement raises even more concerns. The county’s Port Authority has not held a meeting in months, even while overseeing millions in taxpayer dollars. The Port Authority’s website is currently down, and its Facebook page still lists Horton as the contact.
With the Port Authority effectively stalled, Powell warned that developers might hesitate to invest in Scioto County. “There’s probably developers out there who are going to want to avoid certain organizations for a little bit,” he admitted. “There’s going to be some very damning reports out there that are going to give folks who want to invest in our community pause.”
What’s Next for Scioto County?
Despite the scandal, commissioners have not made any decisions about dissolving the Port Authority Board, unlike their approach to the county’s Children Services Board, which was shut down after facing its own crisis. Powell suggested giving the new board members a chance to fix the situation. “They still have to figure out their operation,” he said.
Meanwhile, Powell confirmed that other counties’ economic development directors have reached out, offering their assistance. “We have some strong partnerships in the region.”
Davis acknowledged that rebuilding economic development in Scioto County will be a challenge. “This is a big one. It’s going to be hard. I don’t want it to be lost that Scioto County has come a long way.”
As the dust settles, Scioto County leaders face an uphill battle to regain trust, repair their reputation, and chart a new course for economic development.
