Commissioners OK tax exemption for Defense Soap

Lorain County commissioners handled a large agenda of business during their Nov. 14 meeting.

Commissioners entered into an Ohio Enterprise Zone Agreement with soap manufacturer Defense Soap authorizing a 75 percent tax exemption for 10 years to construct and relocate to a 12,406-square-foot facility at 3390 Liberty Ave. in Vermilion.

As part of the agreement, the company will retain six full-time and two part-time employees as well as create a minimum of six new full time positions within three years of the completion of the construction.

The project had previously been approved by the Vermilion City Council at its Nov. 5 meeting, according to a news release distributed at the Nov. 14 meeting.

Vermilion Mayor Jim Forthofer attended the commissioners’ meeting and said that economic development has been one of his highest priorities since he was elected in 2017.

“There’s not one problem that Vermilion has that more revenue from prudent business won’t solve,” Forthofer said.

“We’re looking for businesses that can withstand the seasonal population swells in Vermilion. We’re looking for businesses that are conscientious of the environment in which they are doing business and businesses that are invested in the community.

“I could not have been more thrilled when I heard that Mr. (Guy) Sako was looking to relocate his business to Vermilion.”

Sako, owner of Defense Soap, attended the meeting and thanked the commissioners for their support.

Commissioners also awarded the contract for the Fortune Ditch Stream restoration project in Eaton Township to Mark Haynes Construction Inc., of Norwalk, for $270,282 in U.S. Environmental Protection Agency funds through the Great Lakes Restoration Initiative.

Fortune Ditch is part of the Willow Creek sub-watershed, according to a news release.

Willow Creek is the only sub-watershed in the east branch of the Black River that did not meet minimum water quality standards.

Commissioners issued notice for the construction to begin Nov. 15 and completion on or before July 31, 2019.

In other news, commissioners approved a pair of change orders for additional work on the County Administration public parking lot on 3rd Street in Elyria and the Job and Family Services lot on Elyria Avenue in Elyria Township.

Bramhall Engineering and Surveying will receive $13,400 for work at the Elyria lot, and $24,416 for the Elyria Township lot.