Austintown trustees OK tax abatement to Trumbull Manufacturing

Staff report

AUSTINTOWN

Township trustees approved a real-estate tax abatement that will allow Trumbull Manufacturing Inc. to expand operations in Austintown.

Trumbull Manufacturing will spend $1.6 million preparing a new plant in an empty building at 3850 Henricks Road.

Julian Lehman, treasurer of Trumbull Manufacturing, said the investment will secure at least five full-time positions. “We’re hoping five is on the low side,” Lehman said.

He said it also will allow the company to retain 22 jobs.

The trustees approved a 60-percent, 10-year real-estate tax abatement. Their recommendation will go to the Mahoning County commissioners. An amount of savings the abatement will allow the company to realize was not available Monday.

Trumbull Manufacturing is a Warren company that has been in the area for more than 35 years. It is an offshoot of Trumbull Industries, which was founded in 1922. The company makes municipal products, including water-meter covers and parts for fire hydrants. Lehman said being able to manufacture products in Austintown will prevent them from importing materials.

Trustee Ken Carano said he is hesitant to grant abatements because many companies will leave once the abatement runs out. He doesn’t have that concern with Trumbull Manufacturing because of its history in the area.

Lehman said the company plans to remain in the area for a long time.

In addition to the $1.6 million in construction costs, Lehman said the company will purchase $400,000 of equipment for the new building and move $3.4 million in existing inventory from other locations.