City to receive grant to demolish building

Staff report

YOUNGSTOWN

The city will receive a $657,396 grant from the state to clean up and then demolish the rear of the former Weatherbee Coat Factory so a food company can expand there.

The State Controlling Board on Monday approved the Clean Ohio Assistance Fund grant for the work. It was the largest of four grants the board approved. The others were for projects in Cleveland, Kent and Akron.

Valley Foods will use the former Weatherbee site on East Federal Street for food packaging. The company sells fresh- frozen foods to customers such as school systems and the military.

The company will keep its location on East Boardman Street.

The Weatherbee building has been vacant for about 10 years.

Valley Foods purchased the property last year for $226,000 and made about $300,000 in improvements. Also, the city plans to spend up to $120,000 to replace water and wastewater lines to the structure.