YOUNGSTOWN, Ohio – Kimberly-Clark Corp.’s announcement May 1 that it would proceed with a $800 million plant on a former steel mill site in Trumbull County was one of the most anticipated in recent years.

In addition to highlighting the importance of regional collaboration, the effort to secure the plant also calls attention to the resources that local officials used in wooing the company. 

These tools included a capital lease program that reduces construction costs, tax abatements, an Ohio job creation tax credit and more than $17 million in state grant funds for infrastructure upgrades to improve access at the 1,000-acre property.

Bringing the project to fruition involved a years-long collaboration that included economic development organizations such as JobsOhio, Lake to River Economic Development, Western Reserve Port Authority and Youngstown/Warren Regional Chamber as well as the city of Warren, Warren and Howland townships and Trumbull County.

Speculation has been steady since December 2023 when the global paper products manufacturer purchased 560 acres of the former Republic Steel property for $9.9 million. It is part of about 1,000 acres that BDM Steel donated to the WRPA. 

A groundbreaking for the plant, which is projected to create some 500 jobs and designed to manufacture most Kimberly-Clark personal care products, is expected this month. Once completed, it will be the nucleus for the Northeast and Midwest regions.

But the work isn’t done. As construction continues over the next two to three years, plant employees will need places to live. That should provide additional motivation for the housing strategy efforts led by the Regional Chamber and Eastgate Regional Council of Governments.

Mahoning Valley residents looking to fill positions requiring specific skills also must prepare.

There is no question that this plant will draw additional businesses to serve the company and its employees. That means more business for existing firms and opportunities for entrepreneurs, perhaps relying on some of the resources outlined in this, The Business Journal’s inaugural Small Business Resources Guide.  

Now is the time to launch the hard work needed to bring this project to reality and build on this game-changing opportunity.