STATE DEVELOPMENT PROJECTS APPROVED BY CONTROLLING BOARD
COLUMBUS (December 2, 2002) - Governor Bob Taft today announced that the State Controlling Board has approved the following Ohio Department of Development (ODOD) projects.
FACILITIES ESTABLISHMENT FUND
(195-615)
Pri-Mac Co., Ltd. Partnership, to be located in Parma (Cuyahoga County), will receive a $1 million loan at an interest rate of three percent for a 15-year term. The funds will be used to construct a 26,000 square-foot distribution facility for the Cleveland Plant and Flower Company. The company plans to expand its telemarketing operation and broker in pre-packaged arrangements for smaller retailers. Cleveland Plant and Flower utilizes a state-of-the-art communications system to ensure that fresh flowers, greens and plants are available on a daily basis. Products come from growers worldwide, providing customers an unlimited variety of flowers and plants. Ohio was in competition with Florida for this $2 million project that is expected to create 10 jobs within the first three years of operation and retain 40.
HOUSING TRUST FUND
(195-638)
Low- and Moderate-Income Housing Trust Fund (HTF) will release $5.5 million
to assist 74 Ohio organizations, allowing them to undertake a variety of housing-related
activities. Specific activities include emergency home repair, handicapped accessibility,
downpayment assistance, homeless prevention and supportive services. The Ohio
Department of Development's Office of Housing and Community Partnerships received
145 applications requesting more than $15 million in HTF funding via the Housing
Assistance Request for Proposals Program. An in-depth rating review was conducted
to determine which programs are to receive funding.
Ecumenical Neighborhood Development Corporation, located in Dayton (Montgomery
County), will receive $150,000 from the Low- and Moderate-Income Housing Trust
Fund for a 50-unit in-fill project. The funds will be used to construct 45 four-bedroom,
single family homes and to rehabilitate five, three-bedroom homes on Dayton's
west side. The homes will be available to persons with incomes at 60 percent
of the Area Median Gross Income (AMGI). The $7.3 million housing project will
be primarily funded with tax-exempt bonds issued by Montgomery County.
ROADWORK DEVELOPMENT
(195-629)
City of Delaware, located in Delaware County, will receive a $60,000 grant from the Roadwork Development account. The funds will be used to defray roadway improvement costs associated with the relocation and expansion of Optimum Plastics, Inc., a film manufacturing operation located on South Houck Road in the Delaware Industrial Park. The more than $4 million project will create 16 jobs and retain 39.
Village of Richfield, located in Summit County, will receive a $250,000 grant
from the Roadwork Development account. The funds will be used to construct a
new public roadway to allow for the expansion of Cisco Systems, Inc. The Village
plans to make improvements to Brecksville Road from the intersection at Highlander
Parkway to the I-271 bridge. Plans also call for improvements to existing roadways
and turning lanes to Wheatley Road. The $29 million project will create 80 jobs
and relocate 154 jobs to the new facility.
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Contact: Maria Smith or Gail Crawley, Ohio Department of Development, at
614-466-2609; or Joe Andrews, Governor's Office, at 614-644-0957.