TOLEDO, Ohio, September 18, 2009 – The U.S. Department of Commerce Economic Development Administration announced today that Toledo Express will be the recipient of a $3.4 million grant for improvements of the existing BAX Global Cargo Hub located at Toledo Express Airport. The application was submitted by the Lucas County Improvement Corporation.

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 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 remaining $2.8 million comes from the Ohio Department of Development in the form of a Logistics and Distribution Stimulus grant. The grant is part of the Ohio Bipartisan Job Stimulus Plan.

“This project benefits from a broad base of political support and I would like to specifically thank Governor Strickland, 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. “Once complete the BAX Global Cargo Hub will be the premiere international air cargo facility in the country - a truly efficient, low-cost, high throughput operation. Toledo Express Airport has an economic impact of $640 million for northwest Ohio. Reinvestments in this regional asset, such as this grant and the $1 million commitment from BAX Global, ensure our viability and encourage growth.”

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.

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.