Ohio County Closes Research Facility Caf to Save Money

The Central Ohio Aerospace and Technology Center (COATC) is closing its subsidized cafeteria because of declining participation, reports the Newark Advocate. Operated by the Licking County Port Authority on a former air force base for the past 12 years, COATC is the county’s largest employer.

The Port Authority says employees have plenty of commercial restaurant options nearby, and it is also installing additional vending machines to accommodate those who prefer to stay onsite or don’t want to have meals delivered from the restaurants. Employees expressed dissatisfaction with the decision, noting that half-hour lunch breaks are often inadequate to get food from offsite and then eat it, since many of the labs prohibit bringing food in.