CHAMPION — Township trustees at a special meeting on Wednesday approved by a 3-0 vote forming a Joint Economic Development District with Warren for a 66-acre property off Educational Highway where a Mercy Health emergency room complex is being constructed.

Trustees praised the JEDD agreement, noting how it will benefit both Champion and Warren.

Trustee Rex Fee said “Champion is excited to be partnering with Warren on a JEDD.”

“We welcome Mercy Health and look forward to them achieving their vision for the campus they propose for that 66 acres. This is a big, big day for Champion,” Fee said.

Trustee Rick York said the JEDD will provide endless opportunities,

“If it wasn’t for the hospital and Warren city coming together with us to do this, it probably would not have happened. I am excited for what this project can do for the community and how we can grow to more great opportunities. We are very thankful. This is a good start,” York said.

Trustees scheduled a special meeting at 6 p.m. Tuesday to review possible candidates for the township’s representative to the JEDD board of directors.

Trustees said Warren council also will select a representative to the board and the two representatives will select a third person they mutually agree upon to the board.

Members of Warren City Council, which also approved the JEDD agreement Wednesday, attended the meeting to thank trustees for their approval.

PUBLIC HEARING

Before trustees voted on the JEDD, a public hearing took place, with six residents in attendance and five voicing support for the JEDD. The sixth person did not make any comments.

Fee said the 28-page JEDD agreement has been three years in the making.

“The negotiations went well with both communities looking out for their constituents,” Fee said.

Work has begun on the 66 acres, which is fenced in. It is near both Kent State University at Trumbull campus and Trumbull Career & Technical Center.

Fee said Warren’s income tax is 2.5%, with the city receiving 10% of the gross revenue for administering the income tax of the district and its needs. He said 5% of the gross revenue will be used for operation of the JEDD such as legal representation, accounting and supplies.

Fee said the money will be placed in a fund for improvements along Educational Highway, such as the small bridge.

Fee said the JEDD income tax revenue from the project will have 55% going to Champion and 45% to Warren for the first two-and-a-half years, followed by a 50-50 split.

He said the JEDD agreement is for 40 years with no consideration of annexation.

“We have not collected one penny of property tax from Kent State University, TCTC or Fairhaven Workshop, which all benefit from township police and fire. The JEDD has created a revenue source that is not on the backs of our constituents….We have the opportunity for real potential as Mercy Health’s vision for that campus comes to fruition. We are looking at hundreds of thousands of dollars per year coming into the township,” Fee said.

He said the money can be used to support fire and police services and other township needs. He said there are plans nearby for a Wendy’s at a former bank building off Mahoning Avenue.

RESIDENTS’ COMMENTS

Resident Charles Pace, who spoke in support of the JEDD, said the hospital will help to attract other businesses.

“We need to get industry in the township. This will be an asset to the community with tax revenue coming to the township.” Pace said.

“I am on board with this project. I hope it will benefit the township,” said resident Silas Dozier.

Newly elected trustee Tom Jeffers said the JEDD is “a good prospect for the township.”

Resident Ray Monti asked about turning lanes to and from the hospital complex and any improvements to Educational Highway.

Fee said there will be a turning lane from Educational Highway to the hospital to address additional traffic on the road. He said Educational Highway, which is a county road. will be paved and the bridge replaced.

Trustee Doug Emerine said there will be no third lane on Educational Highway, just two turning lanes off Educational Highway onto Mahoning Avenue with the expected additional traffic.

Officials said property north of Educational Highway is owned by the county and the property south is owned by Kent State Trumbull.

Fee said engineering drawings of the project will be prepared.