ABOUT US
With over 50 years of combined experience, GAX Capital Group provides expert economic incentive program services to clients with new and existing development projects that support economic opportunity, local investment, job creation and infrastructure expansion in local communities.
Our firm utilizes the most current development financial tools, resources, and best practices to provide our clients with the most efficient and cost effective capital structures and project management services available in the marketplace today.
OUR SERVICES
From inception to close, our team provides projects with financial solutions, structuring, management, marketing, and administrative services to make the utilization of financial incentive programs as simple and client friendly as possible.
THE TEAM
Donald J. Hart
Principal
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Don has over 40+ years of experience in economic development and structured public finance. Throughout his career, he has worked as an Underwriter, Financial Adviser, Project Finance Manager, and Managing Director for Bank of America Capital Markets, Wells Fargo Bank, National City Investments, Fifth Third Securities Inc., and Stern Brothers & Company.
Since 1990 Don has focused primarily on serving Port Authorities and other Economic Development Agencies across the country to provide the most creative and cost effective financial strategies and solutions to meet client project needs. Don has completed over 475+ projects in 20 states during his extensive economic development career.
Don is the founder of GAX Capital Group, LLC. In addition to the oversight of GAX's general business and financial affairs, he plays an active role in business development, client relationship management, incentive program education via presentations and participation in conferences, strategy development, and project management.
For the last 10 years Don has provided advisory services and participated as an investment banker, project coordinator, and administrator for the Stark County Port Authority on all phases of the $750M mixed-use sports, wellness, and recreational facilities for the Pro Football Hall of Fame Village in Canton, OH.
Don is a member of the Board of Directors for Independence Bank Corp and Independence Bank. He is also very active in the community and currently serves the following organizations:
Council of Development Finance Agencies
The Lake County Development Council
The Stark Economic Development Board
The Leadership Council for University Hospitals
Executive Advisory Administration at Saint John’s Hospital
The Turn Rehab Center
Harrington Heart and Vascular Center
Southwest General Hospital Foundation
Holy Trinity Parish
Rocky River Boosters
Xavier University Alumni Association
St Edward High School Alumni Association
Don is a graduate of Xavier University. In his spare time, Don is an avid golfer and proud supporter of Glenbard West High School in Chicago, IL.
Don Hart and Amanda Kozak together with their project teams bring a diverse set of knowledge, experience and skills to every devel0pment project, providing clients with a well rounded and efficient project team to meet every client project need from inception to close.
Amanda Kozak
Director
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Amanda offers 15+ years of diversified experience in organizational growth and strategy development, program development, project management, economic and statistical analytics, cross-sector and cross-cultural communication and negotiations, development of equity and inclusion strategies, and general business management. Before joining GAX, Amanda served as a nonprofit executive director, and held various positions in community healthcare and business management.
Amanda is involved in the company's general management and the management of economic development projects. She specializes in the analysis and development of financial strategies for complex projects utilizing local, state, and federal financial incentive programs. Her project specific responsibilities include conducting research, generating financial models, and developing presentation materials for the recommendation of financial incentive programs based on project specific qualifications and lowest cost capital structures. Her active project management duties include loan origination, team coordination, project due diligence and the tracking of checklists and schedules for program approvals and loan closings. Amanda leads GAX's PACE initiative including legislative consultation and project specific services via the company's subsidiary, PACE Capital Solutions.
Amanda received her B.S. degree in Applied Management from Ohio University (GPA 3.9). She is a CFA Institute Investment Foundations certificate holder and completed the Cleveland Civic Leadership Institute program. She has served as an advisory board member for Ohio City Farm and board member/part-time director for the nonprofit organization, Food Conscious.
Amanda is engaged in refugee response efforts, equitable access to capital initiatives for minorities and disinvested communities, and the expansion of economic initiatives that progress environmental remediation efforts.
In her spare time, Amanda enjoys spending time with her husband and 2 children, skiing, hiking, attempting DIY house projects, and gardening.
Recent Projects
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OMNI Vitalia Senior Living
New Construction: Multi-Family
Mentor, Ohio
Port Authority Capital Lease
Total Project Cost: $46M
The Constellation Center for Excellence at Hall of Fame Village
New Construction: Office
Canton, Ohio
Opportunity Zone | PACE | Port Authority Capital Lease | JobsOhio | Tax Increment Financing
Total Project Cost: $25M
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The Residences at Chagrin Riverwalk III
New Construction: Multi-Family
Willoughby, Ohio
Port Authority Capital Lease
Total Project Cost: $26M
The Residences at the Greens
New Construction: Multi-Family
Jackson Township, Ohio
PACE | Port Authority Capital Lease | Tax Increment Financing
Total Project Cost: $57M
Don Scott Youth Fields at Hall of Fame Village
New Construction: Recreation
Canton, Ohio
Opportunity Zone | Port Authority Capital Lease | Tax Increment Financing | PACE
Total Project Cost: $11M
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Tractor Supply Warehouse & Distribution Center
New Construction: Multi-Family
Navarre, Ohio
JobsOhio | Port Authority Capital Lease
Total Project Cost: $111M
Truline Industries
New Construction: Manufacturing
Wickliffe, Ohio
Port Authority Capital Lease | Grant
Total Project Cost: $11M
Lake Health Wellness Campus
New Construction: Healthcare
Mentor, Ohio
PACE | Port Authority Capital Lease | Tax Increment Financing
Total Project Cost: $33M
Greens at Beldon
New Construction: Multi-Family
Jackson Township, Ohio
Port Authority Capital Lease
Total Project Cost: $58M
OMNI Oasis Surgery Center
New Construction: Healthcare
Jackson Township, Ohio
Port Authority Capital Lease
Total Project Cost: $14M
Hendrickson
New Construction: Manufacturing
Navarre, Ohio
Port Authority Capital Lease
Total Project Cost: $52M
Tapestry Senior Living
New Construction: Multi-Family
Wickliffe, Ohio
Port Authority Capital Lease
Total Project Cost: $54M
The Lake County YMCA West End Branch
New Construction: Recreation Center
Willoughby, Ohio
Port Authority Capital Lease
Total Project Cost: $8M
De Nora Tech
New Construction: Lab
Mentor, Ohio
Port Authority Capital Lease
Total Project Cost: $33M
Shearer's Foods
New Construction: Manufacturing
Massillon, Ohio
Port Authority Capital Lease
Total Project Cost: $42M
The Schroer Group
New Construction: Healthcare
Jackson Township, Ohio
Port Authority Capital Lease
Total Project Cost: $33M
Double Tree by Hilton
Renovation: Hospitality
Canton, Ohio
PACE | Port Authority Capital Lease
Total Project Cost: $25M