Menards Selects Ravenna for New Manufacturing and Distribution Center

YOUNGSTOWN, Ohio – Menard Inc. has committed to building a 260,000 square-foot manufacturing and distribution center in Ravenna, a project that would bring at least 90 jobs to northeastern Ohio, officials announced today.

“We are very pleased that Menards has decided to invest in the city of Ravenna,” said Brad Ehrhart, president of the Portage Development Board. “Along with our partners, we remain committed to the company’s success.” 

The Ohio Tax Credit Authority this morning approved a multi-year job creation tax credit for company to build what development officials say is a $54.7 million manufacturing and distribution complex. 

Walt Good, senior director of project management at Team NEO, told the authority that the company plans to create 90 jobs with an annual payroll of about $3.5 million. The tax credit would consist of 1.164% over seven years.

Team NEO is a network partner for JobsOhio, the private nonprofit corporation that acts as a development arm for the state. The organization announced that the company selected Ravenna shortly after the tax incentives were approved.

“Menards is a major home-improvement retail chain that is growing in the Midwest and Northeast markets,” he said.  The company has reported that the project would include a truss plant, a concrete plant, bagging plant, transload operation and a crossdock distribution space to support its expansion in the Midwest.

Menard Inc., which does business as Menards, operates a retail store in Warren. 

Good said that the incentives were a critical component to the project, since Menards has also considered another site in Pennsylvania. “The [job creation tax credit] is a major factor for the company to move forward in Ohio because of the out-of-state competition,” he noted. 

The city of Ravenna and Portage County recently approved a 15-year, 100% tax abatement on new construction. Earlier this month, the project received a $175,000 grant from the Ohio Rail Development Commission intended to fund “necessary rail infrastructure to support their distribution and manufacturing processes.”

“I am very pleased to have Menards locate this new project in our community,” Ravenna Mayor Frank Seman said in a statement. ”The site they are locating on is centrally positioned in Northeast Ohio. We can provide rail to their site, and almost immediate access to major highways. We are excited about Menards coming to our community, and we will work with them to make this a successful venture for both of us.” 

The 62-acre site is positioned near state Route 88 in Portage County and will serve its locations in Ohio, Pennsylvania and West Virginia.

Menards had earlier considered a 90-acre site in Mahoning County in Jackson Township near the Interstate 76 interchange along Bailey Road. 

Menard Inc. is a family-owned home improvement retailer based Eau Claire, Wisconsin. It operates 300 stores across 15 states. 

The state tax credit authority approved 14 other job creation tax credits for projects in Ohio at its Monday meeting. They are:

• Husky Marketing and Supply Co., Dublin, which plans to create 30 jobs and $3 million in new payroll.
• Oprona Inc., Gahanna, which plans to add 70 positions and generate another $4.2 million in payroll.
• Two Labs LLC, Powell, which expects to create 50 new jobs with $4.5 million in new payroll.
• Tiger Pistol Inc., Cleveland. The company has pledged to create 90 jobs and another $3.5 million in payroll.
• Union Home Mortgage Corp., Strongsville. The company expects to create 450 new jobs and generate another $29.3 million in new payroll.
• Dorel Home Furnishings, Inc., Tiffin, has pledged to create 87 jobs and $2.9 million in payroll.
• Shutterfly Lifetouch LLC, Polk Township, which says it will add 100 jobs and add another $5.9 million in existing payroll.
• American Craft Brewery, Cincinnati. The operation expects to create 105 jobs and generate $7.7 million in new payroll.
• Brakefire Inc, Evendale. The company plans to create 48 positions and generate $4.2 million in payroll.
• Kroger Co., Hamilton and Butler counties.  The grocery company’s data center project intends to create 15 positions with an added $1.5 million in payroll.
• Pella Corp., Troy. The company plans to create 428 full-time jobs with $19.2 million in new payroll.
• Resonant Sciences LLC, Beavercreek, which plans to create 30 new positions and another $3 million in payroll.
• Mix Talent LLC, which wants to expand by 50 employees and add $5.2 million in payroll.
• Seamless Contact Inc. The company wants to add 75 jobs and $5.6 million in payroll. 

Together, the 15 projects are set to create 1,653 jobs and retain 1,676 jobs statewide, resulting in $99 million in new payroll and $304 million in investments, Gov. Mike DeWine’s office reported.

Related Coverage

July 17, 2020: $51.7M Menards Project in Ravenna Gets Rail Grant

Nov. 1, 2019: Menards Eyes North Jackson for $50M Distribution Center

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