Monday, November 12, 2001
The grant would cover up to 50 percent of the project.
By DENISE DICK
VINDICATOR TRUMBULL STAFF
LORDSTOWN -- A business owner's plan for expansion has prompted the village to look for grants to provide sewer service.
Henn Workshops bought a Pennsylvania company in September and plans to bring it to the village. The company employs 41 people, and Gerald Henn expects that number to grow by 10 when the facility moves.
The company, Henn Decorating, will move into the industrial park along state Route 45.
The village is applying for a Community Development Block Grant to help finance installation of a gravity line, pump station and pressure main line.
The project qualifies for CDBG funding because it's expected to create jobs.
"We're hoping to do that as our next [sewer] phase," said Richard Biggs, council president. "We had been planning for sewers at Tod and Tait Road because there are a few residents up there that don't have it."
But the creation of new jobs shifted the focus to the industrial park and the surrounding area.
Benefits: Biggs, also chairman of the utilities committee, said the sewers would serve the whole area, not just Henn's facility.
Mayor Arno Hill said sewer service will work as an incentive for other companies, such as spinoffs from General Motors Lordstown, to locate in the park.
Cost is estimated between $800,000 and $900,000, and a CDBG grant would cover up to 50 percent.
The Henn Workshop on Country Way off of Route 45, a short distance from the industrial park, makes baskets, pottery, stoneware, wooden ware and candles.
It has its own sewer treatment plant, but it can't expand because there isn't room.
The company plans to erect a building in the industrial park to house employees of the new business.
Henn expects the move to be in about a year.
Village officials hope the sewer service at the industrial park spawns development.
"With [General Motors] downsizing for the last several years, we have an obligation to do what we can to bring businesses in here," Hill said.
Open house: The village conducted an open house at the end of September for Realtors and property owners.
Representatives of the Youngstown-Warren Area Chamber of Commerce also attended.
"We took them for a ride around the village to show the land we have to offer," Hill said.
A large sign at the park advertises the available space at the site.
"Our location is ideal," the mayor said. "We've got rail, utilities, good roads and interstates nearby."
Several candidates for village council seats in last week's general election listed diversified business growth as a priority if they were elected.
Biggs said the project is expected to get started with engineering and planning early next year.