Board awards grants, contracts

Lorain County commissioners awarded several contracts June 13 for multiple projects across the region.

Jess Howard Electric Co., of Blacklick, received $146,918 to upgrade signage and to replace apron ramp lighting at the Lorain County Airport.

The Ohio Department of Transportation will pay $139,572 of that contract with the county only footing $7,345.

The work is scheduled to begin around June 18 and will take about 120 working days to complete.

County Administrator James Cordes said this was the only bid

the county received for the work and it initially was quoted at above the county engineer’s estimation of costs, but ODOT refused to increase the amount of funding and pushed for the work to be done.

“There was no reason to go back out for bids even though it exceeded the engineer’s estimates,” Cordes said. “They were agreeable to taking out a few elements of the excavation work to bring it within the scope of the cost of the bid.”

Precision Paving, of Milan, will receive $123,311 to pave Parsons Road from state Route 301 to Wheeler Road in Carlisle and LaGrange townships.

As part of the contract, Precision Paving will use Trafftech Inc. of Cleveland and Welfle Inc. of Norwalk.

Precision Paving promised

to complete the work by Sept. 15.

The company also will receive $192,297 for the Island Road Bridge Replacement Project in Eaton Township.

It will use Trafftech as well as All Erection & Crane of Independence and RMH Concrete and Foundations Inc. of Collins for the work, which is scheduled to begin on or about July 15 and completed on or before Nov. 1.

In other news, the commissioners approved the award of three more Community Incentive Grants equaling $11,081.

Kipton Village will receive $397 to purchase a bench, recycling fliers and to fund its pride day activities.

Sheffield Village will receive $5,971 for the purchase of mulch, a swing set and landscaping materials.

Grafton Township will receive $4,71 to buy recycling fliers and six picnic tables.

... ribbon-cutting ceremony and rededication of the Old County Courthouse, at 5:30 p.m. June 23 at 308 Second St. in Elyria.

Also, Cordes took the opportunity to remind the community about the ribbon-cutting ceremony and rededication of the Old County Courthouse, at 5:30 p.m. June 23 at 308 Second St. in Elyria.

“It’s going to be a bit of a festive environment,” he said. “There’ll be music, food, enjoyment, activities for the children, static displays; lots of stuff. It’ll be quite a nice evening for everybody.”

Cordes emphasized the event is open to the public.

“The building belongs to the public,” he said. “We hope they all come down.”