TJX Supporters Hold Rally Today at UAW Local 1714
YOUNGSTOWN, Ohio – Supporters of the rezoning of seven parcels of land in Lordstown to accommodate TJX Companies Inc.’s proposed $160 million regional distribution center will hold a get-out-the-vote rally today at United Auto Workers Local 1714’s pavilion near its union hall on Salt Springs Road in Warren.
Dave Green, Local 1112 president, said Trumbull County Commissioner Dan Polivka requested use of the pavilion to stage the event, which will run from 3:15 to 5 p.m. Hot dogs and refreshments will be provided.
Following the recommendation of the Lordstown Planning Commission the month before, Village Council – on a series of 3-2 votes, with one member abstaining – in June approved the rezoning for industrial use of the seven parcels, where TJX wants to build a 1.2 million-square-foot regional distribution center for its HomeGoods brand.
In July, opponents of the rezoning successfully collected enough signatures from village residents to place each of the zone changes up for a referendum. State legislation approved in June allowed the village to set the voting date for Tuesday, Aug. 21, which otherwise would have taken place in November, potentially imperiling the project.
The rally will send a “positive message” to TJX officials “that the residents want them here and that they support Council’s decision to rezone the property,” said Sarah Boyarko, senior vice president for economic development at the Youngstown/Warren Regional Chamber. Boyarko has worked with TJX for more than two years to bring the project and its estimated 1,000 jobs to the Mahoning Valley.
“It will also serve as a good reminder to those who have not yet cast their vote to get to the polls on Tuesday and vote ‘yes,’ ” she said.
Today’s rally is mostly for Lordstown residents, since they are the only ones who can vote Tuesday, Green said. “Anybody can stop by for a hot dog,” he said.
Early voting began July 24. As of Sunday afternoon, 214 eligible Lordstown residents cast ballots in person at the Trumbull County Board of Elections, reported Stephanie Penrose, county elections director. Another 58 residents requested ballots by mail, of which 45 were returned so far.
Early voting at the board of elections ends at 2 p.m. today. Voting for all three precincts will take place at the Lordstown Administration Building at 1455 Salt Springs Road.
Last Thursday, the Cafaro Co. announced that, in partnership with the Youngstown/Warren Regional Chamber, it would sponsor free transportation to get village voters to the polls on election day. Transportation is being offered through Trumbull County Transit. Village residents can call 330 369 2600 to request a ride.
Copyright 2024 The Business Journal, Youngstown, Ohio.
