Lowellville aims to draw business with industrial park

August 29, 2016 at 12:05a.m.

lowellville

When Mayor James Iudiciani Sr. looks at the grassy acreage south of the Mahoning River, he imagines buildings emerging on what now is vacant land.

Officials hope an industrial park near McGaffney Avenue and Washington Street will bring businesses, jobs and tax revenue.

The village is one step closer to making this vision a reality, having recently secured $500,000 in federal money to build a $1.7 million access road from McGaffney Avenue to the proposed industrial park.

The Appalachian Regional Commission approved the grant this month, as part of 2015 transportation-infrastructure bill called the Fixing America’s Surface Transportation Act.

Lawmakers including U.S. Sen. Sherrod Brown, D-Ohio; U.S. Rep. Tim Ryan of Howland, D-13th; state Senate Minority Leader Joe Schiavoni of Boardman, D-33rd; and state representative Michele Lepore-Hagan of Youngstown, D-58th, support the project.

Construction is set to begin in December 2017 and end July 2018. A news release states the project will leverage $800,000 in private investment and create at least five full-time jobs. The village plans to use 10 acres initially, though 120 acres are available should the park expand.

Iudiciani said the village hopes to secure the remaining $1.5 million estimated necessary for the road from sources such as the Ohio Department of Transportation, JobsOhio and matching village dollars.

Before the village receives additional grant money, however, Iudiciani said it needs to attract its first business to the park.

The village is in talks with about five businesses, but the mayor declined to name them, citing ongoing negotiations.

Iudiciani said Lowellville boasts a low crime rate, affordable real estate and high-performing schools – factors that he says are attractive both to employers looking for a business site and employees looking to live close to work.

The mayor cites initiatives, including new lights and curbing to spruce up downtown, and incentive grants available to businesses, as evidence of the 1,100-person village’s push to draw commerce.

“I want to see us become a destination,” Iudiciani said. “Once you start to draw businesses and increase traffic, more will follow.”