WARREN, Ohio – Trumbull County commissioners took the final step on three infrastructure projects totaling nearly $1.4 million in the Golden Triangle, an industrial area slated for infrastructure investment in the county, the city of Warren and Howland Township.
According to Julie Green, director of the Trumbull County Planning Commission, bids for three contracts have finally been secured and the funding for the local match is in place.
Commissioners voted Wednesday to execute the contracts and issue a notice to proceed with the three separate projects and three contractors.
The first contract with Miller Yount Paving Inc. of Cortland for $505,827 will include the widening of Larchmont Avenue, Bronze Road and Overland Avenue intersection.
The second contract with Shelly & Sands Inc. of North Jackson for $271,002 includes the resurfacing of Bronze Road between Griswold Street and Larchmont Avenue in Howland Township.
The third project is with A.P. O’Horo Co. of Youngstown for $602,016 to realign the intersection of Paige Avenue and Dana Street in Warren.
Green said during Tuesday’s commissioners workshop all three projects are contingent on approval from the Economic Development Administration, which has the documents and and is funding large portions of the projects through American Rescue Plan Act funds. Howland and Warren must approve to proceed with two of the three projects.
“It was a joint economic development grant applied for several years ago to improve infrastructure in the Golden Triangle area, which is a highly concentrated geographic area with manufacturing businesses that we’ve been focusing on for the last decade to help retain those high-paying jobs,” Green said, adding she began working on the project in 2014 with the coalition that includes Howland Township, the city of Warren, the county engineer’s office and the county commissioners.
Commissioner Dennis Malloy said during the last economic development bus tour of the Golden Triangle area that it was “amazing” to see how many businesses are back in there, which are doing business around the globe.
“And it’s a jumbled mess back there with the roads and all those trucks coming in and out,” Malloy said. “They definitely didn’t prepare and plan for today’s market. In today’s industry, this is going to enhance that a lot.”
Commissioner Rick Hernandez said the project is a good example of government entities in the area working together to stimulate additional economic growth in the county.
“And we need to take care of our small businesses we have here, and by doing these improvements, we’re doing that,” Chairman Tony Bernard added.
Bernard said he was surprised during Tuesday’s commissioners workshop to learn more than 200 trucks use the routes daily in and out of the Golden Triangle.
“Once we do the upgrade and everything, maybe those numbers will increase as we see more economic development in the area there,” Bernard said. “I think it’s just great for the area, and when we do these improvements we’ll continue to grow.”
After the meeting, Gary Shaffer, deputy engineer for Trumbull County, called the plans that began in 2015 for updates in the Golden Triangle a living, breathing document. As communication with businesses and industries in that area dictates needs, the projects will continue to be modified, he said.
“We’re going to continue to do it, now that those relationships have been built with those industries,” Shaffer said. “Anytime they need something, they’re calling us. We know the general managers. We know the owners, and it’s been a great relationship with the industries and the collaborative group, the township and the city.”