ASHLAND — Ashland officially unveiled the Wells Road extension Tuesday morning, adding nearly one mile of additional frontage to the Ashland industrial park.
The extended roadway connects Ford Drive to U.S. 250 and showcases 57 developable acres to the north and 51 acres of undeveloped land to the south.
About two years ago, the city of Ashland decided to sell surplus land north of the corporation limits on the east side of U.S. 250.
“We didn’t have a use for that land,” said Mayor Matt Miller. “We sold that land, and we then pledged that we would use the proceeds from that sale to do economic development and community revitalization projects.
“One of the first projects that we spoke was the creation of the Wells Road Extension. We are investing those funds in our Ashland Business Park to open up the opportunity for future businesses to develop here. Now we are poised to attract more companies to the industrial park.”
Ashland Business Park, which currently houses 13 businesses, sees over 600 employees commute to the industrial park every day, according to the mayor.
Jerry Baker of Baker Properties Ashland is already underway constructing a 210,000 square-foot warehousing facility on a 26-acre piece of land.
The total price-tag for the project was $953,000, roughly $640,000 of which was paid with through grants provided by ODOT Jobs and Commerce, the Transportation Improvement District, and JobsOhio.
“With three different grants, covering more than half the cost, and then the city – they covered the remaining costs,” said Shane Kremser, Ashland City engineer. “We greatly appreciate it.”
Director of project management at Team NEO, Shawn Starlin spoke on behalf of JobsOhio, which had provided one of the important grants.
“On behalf of Team NEO, JobsOhio and the Development Services Agency, I’d like to congratulate the city of Ashland,” said Starlin. “While collectively our organizations were able to contribute to this project on account of the tremendous growth of SJE, the credit goes to the city of Ashland, Ashland Area Economic Development, the Ashland County Commissioners, and I’m sure many more, for having the vision and fortitude to make these investments in the future of the community.
“I can tell you that Ashland is better positioned than ever before to attract the next Barbasol,” he said.
Mayor Miller speculates that the city could add up to ten different business onto the extension. Miller mentioned that the property had already gotten a potential bite from an international food-product company.
“Probably about a month ago we had four Japanese businessmen visit our community to learn more about this industrial park,” said Miller. “Halfway down (Well’s Road), we had parked our fire department’s ladder truck.
“That ladder extended 104 feet over the industrial park and each of those delegates from that company went up to survey the land that was available.”
Miller stated that the construction of this extension is important for the city’s growth because now they have something attractive to offer to interested businesses.
