County to seek grant for travel center

WARREN — The Trumbull County commissioners have given their permission for the county to seek a grant to help construct a nearly $1.4 million travel center near the Ohio Turnpike in Braceville Township.

Commissioners authorized the county planning commission Thursday to seek the $500,000 grant from the Ohio Department of Development.

A Trumbull County company, 580 Partnership LLC, would invest $850,500 if the grant is approved to refurbish and add onto a former restaurant and service station on state Route 5, just west of Braceville-Robinson Road.

Also, commissioners awarded a $410,007 contract to Utility Construction Inc. of Youngstown to expand the sewage treatment plant on Sterling Drive in Bazetta Township.

The plant’s capacity will be increased from 40,000 to 80,000 gallons per day. It will service about 60 homes along Lakeshore Drive on the west side of Mosquito Lake and the nearby state park.

In addition, commissioners appointed Michael J. Sliwinski as the county’s chief building inspector, replacing David Zofko, who left in May 2007. Sliwinski, who was project manager at the Trumbull County engineer’s office, will be paid $59,678 annually.