Wood County retains Moody's bond rating

10/15/2009

BOWLING GREEN — Despite the foundering economy, Wood County has maintained its Aa3 bond rating from Moody's Investor Services, the county commissioners said yesterday.

Officials said the county has had the Aa3 rating — the second highest of any Ohio county — since 1998.

In declaring the county's $7.8 billion tax base stable, Moody's cited the opening of the Fed Ex hub and expansion of First Solar, both in Perrysburg Township, development of the CSX Intermodal facility outside North Baltimore, and the expectation that Chrysler's machining plant in Perrysburg Township will remain viable in the new year.

“The Aa3 rating reflects the county's moderately sized tax base that is expected to remain stable, satisfactory financial operations, and minimal debt profile,” Moody's report stated. “Moody's expects the county's financial position will remain satisfactory given the county's conservative budgeting practices and stable reserve levels.”