Officials Cheer Passing of Deadline for TJX Appeal
YOUNGSTOWN, Ohio – U.S. Rep. Tim Ryan and state Sen. Sean O’Brien cheered Monday’s passing of the deadline to submit additional legal challenges to the rezoning of nearly 300 acres of land in Lordstown for a $160 million distribution center.
Trumbull County Common Pleas Judge Peter Kontos last month ruled against an injunction sought by opponents of the rezoning of the seven parcels, which village voters upheld in an Aug. 21 special election.
In June, a divided Village Council approved the rezoning of land where TJX Companies Inc. wants to build a 1.2 million-square-foot distribution center to serve its HomeGoods store chain. Following the Sept. 15 ruling by Kontos, the deadline for any further legal challenges to the rezoning expired yesterday.
“After many months of meetings, debates, campaigns, and litigation, I am excited that it is finally time to get construction underway,” Ryan, D-13 Ohio, said yesterday in a news release from his office.
“This new facility will be a huge boon for Lordstown and our entire community,” he continued. “So many people have worked together to make sure this project became reality, and today, that effort has come yet another step closer to fruition.”
Among those Ryan singled out for thanks are O’Brien, D-32 Bazetta; state Rep. Glenn Holmes, D-63 McDonald; Lordstown Mayor Arno Hill; James Dignan, president/CEO of the Youngstown/Warren Regional Chamber; and the team at JobsOhio.
O’Brien also hailed the passing of the appeal deadline and the local collaborative – “Democrats and Republicans, business leaders and the chamber, and local, state and federal elected officials” — that worked with TJX.
“It’s finally time for the TJX project and the Lordstown community to move forward. We are excited to see the project through and eager for the more than 1,000 jobs TJX will bring to Lordstown,” O’Brien said. “This is a testament to how government should work.”
A TJX spokeswoman said the company had no comment.
Copyright 2024 The Business Journal, Youngstown, Ohio.
