Published: Tuesday, May 8, 2007
Funds aim to attract B.J. Alan
The fireworks company also is looking at a Pennsylvania site.
By MARC KOVAC
COLUMBUS — The state approved $600,000 for road projects related to an industrial development in Beaver Township, with hopes of luring a Youngstown fireworks company's planned facility.
The Controlling Board, without comment Monday, agreed to release the Roadwork Development Grant to accommodate B.J. Alan Co.'s fireworks operations and future development at the Calla Road Industrial Park. The company also is considering a site in Pennsylvania for the $20 million-plus facility.
The company, which imports, manufactures and sells consumer fireworks, plans to create 40 jobs, retain six that are at risk and maintain an additional 232 positions. The new jobs carry an average hourly wage of $9.93, according to state documents.
The road funding will be used for improvements — pavement restoration and sanitary sewer installation — to Calla Road from state Route 7 to state Route 626. The project also will involve the construction of a roadway and infrastructure at the industrial park, providing access to 372 acres of undeveloped land, according to documents.
Costs
Total costs for the projects would run about $1.6 million, which would include $709,500 for the Calla Road improvements and $635,625 for the construction of the road into the industrial park.
B.J. Alan, which was formed in 1977 and which is the country's second-largest importer and wholesaler of fireworks, is considering building a 350,000-square-foot warehouse at the industrial park.
Pennsylvania also is lobbying for the project, and the company "prefers the more liberal fireworks laws there," according to documents considered by the Controlling Board in approving the road funding. "State assistance is needed to ensure that Ohio is the most attractive location for the company. ... [Mahoning] county does not have the resources to complete the necessary roadwork without state assistance, and without the new roadway the project will not go forward in Ohio."
Steel promoters
In other business, the Controlling Board signed off on $30,000 in grant funding for the Ohio Steel Industry Advisory Council.
The funds were contingent on at least $90,000 in commitments from council members, who actually contributed $115,000 and provided additional in-kind support, according to state documents.
The council was launched about 15 years ago and focuses its efforts on building awareness about Ohio's steel industry via news articles, a newsletter, an annual report and a Web site, www.ohiosteel.org.
The group includes representation from eight Ohio steel producers; V&M Star in Youngstown serves as the fiscal agent.
Funds for YSU
The board also approved additional funding for Youngstown State University to purchase blighted areas around campus as part of a redevelopment effort.
A total of $83,900 will be used to purchase 15 lots on Rayen and Willard avenues and Oak, Meadow, Adams, Valley and North Watt streets.
The lots are owned by the Youngstown State University Foundation and ranged in price from $900 to $12,200, according to documents.
The acquisitions are part of a redevelopment of the Smoky Hollow area involving YSU, the city and Wick Neighbors Inc.
The university already owns more than 75 percent of the properties in the area and is purchasing lots from willing owners, according to documents.
More Stories from Fri, May 11, 2007
- Demand for smaller homes strong in Valley
- 59 streets to be repaved throughout Youngstown
- 60 YSU workers call for Pres. Sweet to resign
- Howland bar owner will fight smoking ban
- 100 fancy flamingos auctioned for families
- Patton takes care of election food bill
- 2 from TCTC compete in auto skills
- Police: DNA matched suspect to victim
