Business park would offer Austintown jobs, revenue and bright future

EDITOR:
About a year ago our group set out to try to develop a project that will make a real difference in this Valley. Our vision is to develop a new business park that will bring jobs and a sense of pride that we in the area long for. We purchased a large parcel of land at I-80 and Route 11. This was the beginning of a yearlong quest to bring new hope to the Valley.
We traveled to Findlay, Ohio, to visit a community that has seen incredible growth over the last 10-15 years. That community realized in the mid-'80s that it was totally reliant on one industry, Marathon Oil. Many people in that community had a vision that they could leverage their quality of life, location and infrastructure in an effort to attract new businesses to locate in their community. After seeing what they had accomplished, we felt that this was the kind of development we wanted to bring to the Mahoning Valley.
Subsequently, we hired the key people in the Findlay project as our consultants to help us create this kind of success in our area. Since that time we have done extensive research into the potential that we have in our site. We have analyzed everything from the economic impact to the environmental impact. We have worked with governmental agencies, which have jurisdiction over the project to determine the viability of everything from infrastructure such as water, sewer, power and all other utilities to zoning. We have sought to rezone our property in accordance with the Austintown Land Use Plan as well as the Mahoning County Comprehensive Plan.
The success in Findlay was largely due to a united campaign that enveloped the entire community. Everyone from the elected officials, schools, all aspects of the local government and, most importantly, the people of the community are what can make the difference. New businesses look to locate in an area where they are wanted. These good corporate citizens bring not only good jobs but also the quality of life that so many long for. The environment that they seek is one that is conducive to keeping their employees happy and looking forward to come to their workplace, Centerpointe will offer this physical environment but it is together with the people of the Mahoning Valley that we can offer the complete package.
Centerpointe is not an industrial park but a business park. The days of big industry are gone. Consequently, the zone change we seek is Light Industrial. This type of zoning is conducive to clean businesses that will add good, quality jobs that will give the Mahoning Valley the opportunity to showcase the strong work ethic that made us so prosperous many years ago.
We are not asking for property tax abatement. We feel that with a high equality development, this is not necessary -- it sells itself. This development will have a positive impact on the community and our tax base from the day the first building is started. We are prepared to make this significant investment because we believe in the future of the Mahoning Valley.
Findlay's results are impressive. Our success should be no less impressive. We anticipate 15-20 new businesses that will create 1,000-1,500 new jobs, generate millions in tax revenue and serve as a catalyst for redevelopment throughout the area.
As is often the case, a small group has been vocal in opposing the development. We have worked hard to satisfy their concerns and many of them are now supportive of the project.
We are asking the leadership of the Austintown Township and its residents to judge the facts. We believe that when they do, they will agree that Centerpointe can be a turning point for the Mahoning Valley and its residents.
JONATHAN A. LEVY
Route 46 Land Partners. Ltd.
Youngstown