A rendering of the warehouse expansion on 130 acres at 6722 Commodore Drive, Walbridge.
By Debbie Rogers
MILLBURY — A $28 million expansion of a Stanley Yard business is expected to revitalize the railroad area in Lake Township.
At Tuesday’s meeting, the Lake Township Trustees entered into a cooperative agreement with the Kenton Ohio Port Authority. It is to facilitate the acquisition, construction, improvement and operation of a multi-modal distribution center and rail port site.
“This is a big deal. This is going to revitalize Stanley Yard,” said Trustee Richard Welling.
It will be located on 130 acres at 6722 Commodore Drive, Walbridge. The new warehousing, distribution and manufacturing buildings will be 300,000 square feet.
The agreement is for 40 years and entails a $28 million project buildout.
The township will receive about $30,000-$50,000 per year, said Police Chief Mark Hummer, who is also the township administrator, after the meeting.
“We get one-third of the revenue generated from the City of Kenton Port Authority financing the project,” he said. “More important than that, it’s more jobs and growth in the township, in an area that’s really designed for it.”
The township will also get a percentage of the closing fee.
“It’s a win-win-win for us, and they’ve been very good to work with,” Hummer said. “This comes at no cost… to the township. The agreement is we get paid.”
Resident Sondra Klavinger asked how this expansion would affect police and fire services.
“Traditionally, businesses such as this do not impact police services … and I believe it’s the same with the fire department,” Hummer said. “They’re already operating this type of business here.”
Also at the meeting, the trustees:
• Hired Koorsen Fire and Security, Fort Wayne, Indiana, for $2,605 to upgrade the kitchen range guard system in the administration building.
• Voted to pay $1,557 to Pneu-Matic Engineering Inc., Whitehouse, for preventive maintenance on the breathing air compressor used by the fire department.
• Authorized $1,100 for EMT training classes for Dakota Crabtree at Owens Community College.
• Hired Tate Bonfigilo, paramedic, for $20.06 per hour.
• Changed the next meeting to July 5 at 5:30 p.m., due to the Fourth of July holiday.
• Heard May department reports. Police arrested eight and issued 21 citations. The fire department had 34 calls and EMS had 99 calls. There were nine burials and 10 cremations at the cemetery. Zoning collected $6,790 and issued 19 permits.
