DHL Express and a public task force focused on economic redevelopment of the Wilmington area said Tuesday, Jan. 5, that they are getting close to an agreement for DHL to publicly donate its Wilmington Air Park airport for redevelopment and use as an airport/commerce park.

The agreement would involve the privately owned airport and about 1,500 acres that was the site of DHL’s freight hub that handled daily ground and air freight deliveries across the United States. The express delivery company closed the hub during the past year in a cost-cutting action that wiped out about 8,000 jobs at the site, a devastating blow in a region where the hub was the major employer.

If the deal is concluded, DHL would donate the airport to the Clinton County Port Authority, which would work with state and local officials to guide redevelopment and re-use of the property, located near Wilmington.It has been a goal of Ohio officials to gain public control of the property ever since DHL announced its plan to first reduce, then entirely close, the Wilmington freight hub.

DHL might retain 700 acres of farmland near the airport to be sold separately, said Wilmington Mayor David Raizk, co-chairman of the redevelopment task force.

The airport has two runways, a control tower, dozens of buildings and more than 1 million square feet of cargo-sorting space. Clinton County puts the property’s value at $62.2 million for tax purposes.

A joint statement issued Tuesday by DHL and a public task force that includes state and local public officials and business leaders did not say when the deal will be done. Details of the remaining issues were withheld because the negotiations, under way since last year, are still considered confidential.

“DHL Express and the (port authority) are pleased about the prospects of this solution supporting the region and people of Wilmington, and are very hopeful that such a donation could serve as a stimulus for redevelopment and future commerce in southwestern Ohio,” the joint statement read.

Cargo airline ABX Air, which still runs some operations from Wilmington to serve DHL, and a separate aircraft maintenance company have a total employment of about 700 people at Wilmington Air Park, a shadow of the work force that existed there in May 2008 when DHL first announced its cost-cutting plans. The job losses at Wilmington Air Park have increased unemployment in the Wilmington area and depressed the housing market as former hub workers have sought to find work during the recession.

Contact this reporter at (937) 225-2242 or jnolan@DaytonDailyNews.com.