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TJX project moves to fast track

LORDSTOWN — A bill that could help smooth the way for the proposed TJX HomeGoods distribution center was signed into law Thursday by Ohio’s Republican Gov. John Kasich.

House Bill 292, which primarliy deals with health care for firefighters, contains a rider that gives Lordstown and the Trumbull County Board of Elections — if a referendum came to pass on a zoning matter for the project — to have the referendum vote Aug. 21 as opposed to November.

The addition by Democratic state Sen. Sean O’Brien of Bazetta contains an emergency clause that makes it become law immediately instead of waiting 90 days.

The provision will be needed if Lordstown council supports a zoning change to industrial for the 290-acres of land where TJX HomeGoods wants to build on Ellsworth Bailey Road and if those opposed to the change gather enough petition signatures to bring the issue before voters in the village.

Rather than making TJX HomeGoods wait until November for an outcome of a referendum, which officials fear could scare away the company, the legislation moves the vote to August.

Village council has scheduled a public hearing on the zoning change request for the 290-acres of land on Ellsworth Bailey Road to industrial for 11 a.m. Saturday at the Lordstown administration building. Immediately after, the seven ordinances will be placed in first reading. The ordinances are expected to be placed in second reading during Lordstown’s regular meeting 6 p.m. Monday.

A council meeting is scheduled for Thursday, where council members will vote to either approve or reject the zoning changes.

If the zoning changes are approved by council, opponents will have 30 days to get enough valid signatures of Lordstown registered voters — between 120 and 130 — to get the referendum on the ballot.

TJX Companies Inc. is proposing a 1.2 million-square-foot distribution center for its HomeGoods brand, an off-priced home furnishing retailer. If the $170 million project goes forward, the company expects to hire 1,000 people in the first five years and have a payroll of $27 million to $30 million.

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