The leaders of the Central Ohio Solid Waste Authority believe they will be successful in attracting businesses to the Green Economy Business Park, a planned 362-acre development located primarily on London’s Groveport Road (State Route 665) in the City of Grove ) north side.
SWACO’s goal is to attract manufacturers who use recycled materials in their products, says Hanna Greer-Brown, SWACO’s communications manager.
“SWACO’s Green Economy Business Park will create a cluster of companies using research, technology and advanced manufacturing techniques to bring together the supply chain of recycled materials,” she said. “It can create new jobs, increase local tax revenue and capital investment in the region. This innovative concept can create tomorrow’s products from today’s recycled materials.”
Central Ohio is already home to nearly 400 businesses that rely on recyclable materials, and SWACO’s vision for the business park is to benefit those businesses while attracting more like-minded companies to the area, she said.
The market is poised to grow, she said.
“We are preparing for growth in Franklin County and prioritizing local partnerships,” she said. “It is increasingly clear that there is an emerging market for products made from recycled materials that we believe will be in the future. several years of growth.”
Green economy business parks could create 2,000-3,500 jobs
SWACO’s website, swaco.org, predicts huge economic benefits for the city.
“Based on models across the country and the economic momentum behind the recycled materials, the plant could create 2,000 to 3,500 manufacturing jobs, pay well, generate $1.6 million to $4.2 million in local taxes and $350 million to $500 million in capital investment,” it said.
“The Green Economy Business Park will leverage research, technology and advanced manufacturing to bring together a sustainable material management supply chain to create a sustainable destination for business and workforce.”
SWACO diverted from landfill
The business park will also help SWACO achieve the goals of its Solid Waste Management Plan, adopted in 2018 – to increase the area’s diversion rate (the percentage of waste that is recycled instead of going to landfill) from 50% to 75% by 2032 %.
The Grove City Planning Commission approved what Grove Mayor Richard “Ike” Stage described as an initial concept plan in December 2020. SWACO has yet to submit a final development plan, he said.
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“We’ve had a couple of conversations with SWACO over the last possible three months, and I think we’re more consistent with what’s likely to happen on these 300 acres and some acres,” Stage said.
“The CRA will enable both SWACO and the City of Grove to grow,” Greer-Brown said. “However, successful development will depend on all partners taking appropriate steps. …
“Grove City and SWACO recently partnered to expand the Community Reinvestment Zone on the Green Economy Business Park site, which will bring new jobs and investment to the local community.”
The process of using recycled materials can create negative issues such as odor, Greer-Brown said, but added that SWACO works closely with the Ohio Department of Environmental Protection, Franklin County Public Health and other agencies to ensure best practices are adopted and adhered to environmental regulations.
“SWACO has been proud to call Grove City home for the past 30 years and has always been committed to taking the safety and environmental protection of the public very seriously and applying these priorities to any project, partnership or Work hard,” she said.
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