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Proposal to TJX includes multiple incentives

EAST LIVERPOOL — If the city of East Liverpool is not successful in its bid to convince a TJX HomeGoods distribution center to locate here, “It won’t be for lack of trying,” according to Mayor Ryan Stovall, who has presented a proposal to the company that includes multiple incentives.

Among those incentives being offered is “gifting” 80-plus acres known as the former Riverview Florist property to TJX for its proposed 1.2 million-square-foot center, based on the 1,000 jobs it would create during a five-year period.

Also offered in the city’s proposal is a willingness to negotiate a contract for free water and sewer services to TJX for at least 10 years, with all tap-in fees waived.

Stovall also said the city will zone the property for the stated use so no zoning issues will arise. Currently, the property is not zoned, after having been annexed into the city from Liverpool Township for the purpose of economic development.

Working with the Columbiana County Port Authority as well as county, state and federal officials, the city will attempt to secure tax abatements, grants and any available funding to help defray the cost of construction for the project, Stovall proposed.

Working with TJX and the Port Authority, the mayor proposed the city would work on enacting a lease financing exemption which, in essence, would mean no sales and use tax would be assessed on the purchase of building materials, a 7.5 percent savings on each transaction.

He noted in the proposal the city administration has “worked in a bi-partisan way” to help rejuvenate the business community, saying that, through partnerships with federal, state and county officials, “we were able to bring over $20 million worth of economic development in the downtown business district.”

He pointed out the city was able to secure historical tax credits while working with the New Castle School of Trade that allowed for rehabilitation of two historic buildings downtown in the past two years.

In regard to infrastructure, Stovall said the city would work with county commissioners to widen Parkway from the Anderson Boulevard intersection to the state Route 39 intersection to better accommodate truck traffic to the proposed facility.

Also, he said the city would, within five years from the start of construction on the distribution center, build and maintain a new fire station at the corner of Parkway and Anderson Boulevard that would be staffed 24 hours.

In the proposal, Stovall reiterated many of the reasons officials believe East Liverpool would be an ideal site for the center, including the proximity of the Pittsburgh Airport; the access to river, rail and highway for transportation of goods; the fact that the city is centrally located between Pittsburgh, Cleveland, Youngstown and Steubenville with total of 1.8 million people within a 35-mile radius; and that several of the stores served by the center are within a one- to two-hour drive of this area.

In addition to letters of support that have already gone out to TJX executive Mark Walker, Stovall included new letters from several sources, including Planning Director William Cowan, Utilities Director Bob Wright, police Chief John Lane and the Fraternal Order of Police, fire Chief William Jones and the firefighters union IAFF No. 24, and health Commissioner Carol Cowan.

“We have absolutely nothing to lose” by making a pitch for this project, Stovall said Wednesday.

The company announced Friday it would not be locating in Lordstown, where residents had complained about the potential for truck noise and exhaust as a result of such a development. However, Lordstown Mayor Arno Hill has said he will continue working to bring the distribution center to his community.

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