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WARREN -- The Ohio Controlling Board on Monday approved the release of $1.33 million for road improvements in the area of the West Warren Industrial Park in the city.
The Ohio Department of Development requested the release of $1,329,138 "in support of the West Warren Industrial Park project," according to the Controlling Board's agenda.
The funds are described in the agenda as a Department of Development Roadwork Development Grant. Such grants are awarded "for public roadwork improvements that support the expansion or attraction of businesses. Eligible costs include widening, paving, road construction and reconstruction, and right-of-way infrastructure improvements such as sewer or utility lines," the agenda states.
The roadwork that will be carried out will consist of the reconstruction and widening of approximately 650 linear feet of Nevada Avenue SW between West Market Street and Victoria Street SW, along with the reconstruction and widening of approximately 730 linear feet of Victoria Street SW between Delaware Avenue SW and Nevada Avenue SW, it states.
The project also includes wider corner radii on Nevada Avenue SW at the Victoria Street SW and West Market Street intersections. "As a result of the project and state assistance provided, traffic flow and accessibility to the West Warren Industrial Park will be improved," a news release about the funding states.
The owners of the 86-acre industrial park broke ground in the former Westlawn neighborhood and former Warren Western Reserve High School in August of 2023.
Wiley Runnestrand, Mike Martof and Chuck George, representing Sapientia Ventures and its affiliate West Warren Development LLC, are managing partners overseeing the $9 million venture.
The first building on the site was completed in the beginning of 2026 and is being offered for lease, Runnestrand said recently. "There's a number of people that are interested, and we're hoping to have an announcement sometime in the near future," he said.
Guy Coviello, president & CEO of the Youngstown/Warren Regional Chamber, said of the approval of the funds, "Back in 2021, as we saw significant economic growth on the horizon, we called for more speculative industrial space so the Valley would be ready for new opportunities. We're delighted to see that need being addressed."
He said the Warren funding and a groundbreaking ceremony Tuesday for a new speculative building in Youngstown are examples of the Mahoning Valley's economic momentum continuing to grow.
"We appreciate the state's investment in these projects and its support for infrastructure that helps communities compete for new business and jobs."
Warren Community Development Director Mike Keys has said that the West Warren-area roadwork will add value to the industrial park. "We have to make improvements to the roads because of the extra truck traffic that's going to be coming in now," he said.
Runnestrand said the 100,000-square-foot-structure is a Class A manufacturing space with a 32-foot-high ceiling.
"Older historical manufacturing had clear heights more in like the 20- to 24-foot range, and what that allows is for higher pallet stacking, so (it allows a) greater density of material in the space," Runnestrand said.
The facility also features upgraded sprinkler systems, higher insulation levels, thicker floors, flatter concrete and a 480-volt power supply.
The industrial park's owners have said their focus is on light industrial, distribution, advanced manufacturing, industrial flexspace, and research and development. They are seeking multiple mid-sized tenants and provide "resilient space" able to be repurposed over time.
Another goal is for the industrial park to serve as an anchor "anchor project to revitalize the west side of Warren and provide high-paying economic opportunities for current and future residents."