ASHLAND – Having outgrown its current location on Claremont Avenue, Aber’s Towing & Crane Service is expanding and relocating to Commerce Parkway.
Leaders and employees of the company were joined by city and county officials as well as representatives from the Ashland Area Chamber of Commerce and the Ohio Secretary of State’s office Wednesday for a groundbreaking ceremony sponsored and hosted by Ashland Area Economic Development.
Aaron Aber, owner, manager and vice president of the company, explained the need for a larger space.
“Over the last couple of years, we have grown the specialized transportation division of our company, and with that we’ve also grown the towing and the crane department,” he said. “So with all three different divisions growing, we have run out of room at our current facility on Claremont Avenue, so we need more shop space as well as exterior parking space.”
About 18 months ago, Aber began looking for land to expand. He ultimately chose Commerce Parkway for its proximity to I-71, where he said the business can better serve clients and the Ohio State Highway Patrol.
The company now employs 20 people, and Aber said he would like to hire more at the new location.
Aber said he wanted to dedicate the groundbreaking ceremony to his grandparents, Miles and Alene Aber, who started the family business in 1950.
“Without them, none of us would be here … They’re looking down on us and I’d like to think that grandpa especially is pretty proud of what we are doing and the growth we’ve accomplished,” Aber said.
Ashland Area Economic Development director Kathy Goon said it’s important to celebrate every business expansion in the city and throughout the county. Goon said she expects several more groundbreaking ceremonies later this year.
“We come to lots of groundbreakings here in Ashland recently, and it’s always good to come to a groundbreaking,” mayor Matt Miller said. “It’s a sign of progress. It’s a sign of opportunities for our citizens, for our customers and for our own entrepreneurs.”
Miller said among the most meaningful groundbreakings are those that involve multi-generational families with deep roots in Ashland, like the Abers. Family businesses that endure over time in Ashland provide the foundation for the local economy, he said.
“Not only have they been providing business opportunities and jobs to the people here, but the truth of the matter is there aren’t too many things that go on in this community that they don’t sponsor, volunteer for and support,” Miller said. “We are so thankful for all of you.”
From one local business owner to another, County Commissioner Denny Bittle congratulated the Aber family for its continued growth and success.
“There’s no better people in the county — no better people in the country — than the Aber family,” Bittle said. “We’re so fortunate to have individuals like this. This is what makes the county great.”
