YOUNGSTOWN Company requests tax deal

The distributor wants to build a cooler, refrigerator and freezer at Ross Industrial Park.
By ROGER G. SMITH
CITY HALL REPORTER
YOUNGSTOWN -- For a change, Youngstown is in position to gain jobs from a thriving area instead of losing them.
Millbrook Distribution is seeking a tax abatement to relocate about 50 warehouse jobs from Hamilton, outside Cincinnati, to the Ross Industrial Park in the city.
The company also plans to hire about 40 more workers in the next three years.
The request is one of two that will come before city council tonight. Council's economic development committee Tuesday recommended approval of both.
Millbrook is seeking a 10-year, 75-percent abatement on real and personal property taxes for a $1.6 million investment.
The company wants to close its warehouse operation in Hamilton and build a cooler, refrigerator and freezer at the Ross park.
About 50 people work at the Hamilton operation.
Most won't relocate, so many of those will be local hires, too, said David Bozanich, assistant city finance director.
The city would see about $36,000 in income tax from the new jobs.
Another request: Direct International, a wholesale distribution company on Andrews Avenue, also is seeking an abatement.
The company wants a 10-year, 75-percent break on its inventory of about $175,000.
The company says it will hire six full-time workers and one part time over the next two years with the abatement.
rgsmith@vindy.com