Leaders approve Carvana deal

Commissioners ink contract to bring 400 jobs to area in $23M investment at former orchard

Lorain County commissioners thanked community collaborators Sept. 2 when they formally entered into a contract with Carvana in a move that will bring 400 jobs to Lorain County.

The $23 million investment for the online car dealer will bring a 200,000-square-foot facility to the former Spiegelberg

Orchard in Elyria Township.

“I know in our county, you know, as we talk to our constituents, it’s always the first part of the conversation that starts with what’s going on with jobs in the county,” said Commissioner Matt Lundy. “And so we’re just so excited about you (Carvana) bringing the jobs to Lorain County, and in making the investment.”

The facility will be an inspection, reconditioning and distribution site strategically positioned within Carvana’s national logistics network to help harness its growing customer base.

The project also creates a tax incentive financing district.

“Carvana has been fabulous to work with,” said Lorain County Economic Development Director Jerry Good. “I’ve worked with many companies over the years in various roles in economic development, but I’ve got to say, Carvana is a top-notch organization. Very professional, very good to work with.”

Carvana leaders were on hand for the meeting via videoconference and praised Lorain County leaders for coming together in their shared vision to make this project a reality.

“I appreciate all the hard work from the team in Lorain County to get us where we’re at today,” said Brian Boyd, vice president of Inventory Strategy. “It has been a long time coming, and so we’re excited to get started with the construction so that in 2021, we can start actually hiring people and producing cars in Lorain County.

“Super excited to see it get underway and really do appreciate all the hard work from all the team in Lorain County.”

In evaluating the company’s expansion options, it wanted to be in the Cleveland area due to the logistical footprint and the type of workforce it was looking for, Boyd said.

Lorain County checked off both boxes for Carvana, he said.

Described as the Amazon of online car sales, Carvana vehicles are inspected, reconditioned and photographed in 360 degrees at inspection centers, like the one planned

in Lorain County, so customers find a detailed, high-definition virtual tour of every vehicle, according to the company.

Every vehicle comes with a seven-day return policy, so the customer can live with their vehicle for a week and ensure it fits their life.

The company allows customers to shop for more than 15,000 vehicles on Carvana.com, finance, purchase, then select assoon-as-next-day touchless home delivery or Car Vending Machine pickup.

Boyd said about one third of the positions will be for inventory associates.

He added additional positions will be needed for technicians doing mechanical work on the vehicles and cosmetics associates who are skilled at painting vehicles and other interior work.

The final group of positions will be for logistics haulers transporting and delivering vehicles.

Lorain County Administrator Jim Cordes said over the next five years, the total number of jobs attached to Carvana could reach 600 to 700 as the company evaluates its ongoing needs.

Cordes said he was glad the county and its partners finished the project and announced it to the people.

Jokingly calling it the “worst kept secret in Lorain County,” Cordes said a lot of breakfast meetings and a lot of bacon brought people together in the long-term vision of enhancing Lorain County’s economy.

“There were a couple of times where things were a little bleak, but we never gave up and you never gave up us,” he said.