A bill that could help smooth the way for a TJX HomeGoods distribution center in Lordstown was signed into law today by Republican Gov. John Kasich.

A rider to House Bill 292 gives the village 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 in August as opposed to November.

Because the rider has an emergency clause it becomes law immediately instead of waiting 90 days.

The provision will be needed if Lordstown council supports a zone change to industrial for the 290-acres of land where TJX HomeGoods wants to build on Ellsworth Bailey Road if those opposed to the change gather enough petition signatures to bring the issues 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 Aug. 21.