Leesburg park receives $15,000 grant

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South Central Power awarded the Leesburg Industrial Park a $15,000 grant that will move the site closer to certification by the state of Ohio. The 81-acre industrial park is owned by Highland County. South Central Power provides electric service to the site.

The grant will be used for a phase 1 environmental site assessment, a geotechnical study, wetlands determination and an architectural survey.

“Conducting these environmental studies will help our efforts to achieve site certification by the Ohio Development Services Administration (DSA). Site certification is an effective marketing tool. It provides a competitive advantage in attracting new businesses to our area, as well as the jobs and capital investment that accompany them,” said Highland County Commissioner Shane Wilkin.

Developers and companies know that certified sites are “shovel ready” with the necessary infrastructure. The Leesburg Industrial Park has water and sewer lines, electric service, natural gas lines, and fiber optics in place. Four companies currently are located there.

DSA works with JobsOhio to provide tools and resources for businesses, site selectors and communities looking to provide development-ready sites. JobsOhio is a private, non-profit corporation designed to drive job creation and new capital investment. JobsOhio hired a consulting firm to review approximately 300 industrial sites across the state to determine what is necessary to achieve certification. The initial review narrowed the list to 28 sites that are closest to achieving the certification requirements. Leesburg Industrial Park was among the 28 sites.

“South Central Power has a history of supporting economic development in the communities we serve,” said Rick Lemonds, president and CEO. “The cooperative is pleased to provide funding that will help spur efforts to attract businesses to the Leesburg Industrial Park. Achieving DSA site certification will better position the industrial park to attract and retain businesses to Highland County.”

South Central Power is Ohio’s largest electric cooperative serving approximately 115,000 homes, farms, commercial businesses and industrial firms in 24 counties. With headquarters in Lancaster, it also operates offices in Hillsboro, Circleville, Canal Winchester and Barnesville.

Submitted by Mindy Hardy, communications specialist, South Central Power.

Pictured, from left, are Highland County Commissioner Tom Horst, Highland County Commissioner Jeff Duncan, Commission Clerk Nicole Oberrecht, Highland County Commissioner Shane Wilkin, South Central Power Energy Adviser Mary Ann Fulton, South Central Power President & CEO Rick Lemonds, and South Central Power Director of Key Accounts Jeff Campbell.
http://aimmedianetwork.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/33/2016/10/web1_Leesburg-grant-pic.jpgPictured, from left, are Highland County Commissioner Tom Horst, Highland County Commissioner Jeff Duncan, Commission Clerk Nicole Oberrecht, Highland County Commissioner Shane Wilkin, South Central Power Energy Adviser Mary Ann Fulton, South Central Power President & CEO Rick Lemonds, and South Central Power Director of Key Accounts Jeff Campbell.

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