County moves forward on sanitary sewers for Spiegelberg Orchard project, 400 jobs

Lorain County commissioners approved design plans for the sanitary sewer set to service a new economic development project on the former Spiegelberg Orchards property in Elyria Township.

The $49,500 contract with K.E. McCartney and Associates will prepare the final design plans and specifications for the extension of sewers on the south side of Broadway to the state Route 2 interchange.

The much anticipated economic development project has been in the works for more than a year and is expected to bring around 400 jobs to Lorain County on the 124-acre site at 6161 Middle Ridge Road in Elyria Township.

County Administrator Jim Cordes asked the community for patience. He said he is hopeful to announce more details in the next several weeks.

“We’re actually quite frankly thrilled that things are still moving forward.” — Lorain County Commissioner Matt Lundy

“I am confident that the project is going to go forward,” Cordes said. “I wasn’t that confident during what was going on the earlier part of this year.

“The company had some strategic changes in plans and they were developing multiple sites.”

Cordes added the sanitary sewer will be a nice expansion to the Broadway corridor that has been underdeveloped for decades due to a lack of services.

Under a joint economic development agreement, the city of Lorain will provide sanitary sewer service and water will come from the city of Elyria.

For income tax collection at a rate of 2.5 percent, 25 percent will go to Elyria Township and 75 percent to Lorain.

Commissioner Matt Lundy reiterated that Lorain County remains under a non disclosure agreement on the details of the project.

“When it comes to economic development, there’s a lot of ‘I’s dotted T’s to cross before things are ever finalized,” Lundy said. “So, we’re doing the right thing and the honorable thing.

“I don’t think anybody in this county wants us to jeopardize jobs by having a reputation to go out there and tell a company’s whole story before they put everything together and make it all possible.”

Lundy added the county was concerned about the potential impact of the novel coronavirus pandemic on the project.

But with all systems a go, he said the wait will be well worth it.

“We’re actually quite frankly thrilled that things are still moving forward,” Lundy said. “And this is going to be a very positive thing for the community.”

The company has the trust in the community, he said, adding other companies also will have that trust if deciding to come to Lorain County.

“This is the way that we need to conduct our business,” Lundy said. “But, believe me when the public hears the news, I think folks will be very excited and very happy that we landed a corporation here in Lorain County, that likes our work ethic, likes our location and is eager to do business here.”

In addition to the sanitary sewer, commissioners approved a $17,600 contract with TranSystems for the design of a stop light at the intersection of Broadway and Cooper Foster Park Road as part of the project, officials said.