Staff report

Kimberly-Clark Corp. and its proposed $875 million project slated for the former RG Steel property in Howland and Warren townships will be the subject of an Ohio Tax Credit Authority meeting Monday morning in Columbus.

Listed under an agenda item released Thursday, Kimberly-Clark will be discussed under “new business.” The meeting takes place at 10 a.m. in the Riffe Center.

The specifics will not be released until the meeting, an Ohio Tax Credit Authority spokesman said Friday.

Although the paper products company has not committed to the area, it has received widespread support among Trumbull County and township officials. Economic development agencies also have heralded the project, which is expected to create approximately 500 full-time, permanent jobs.

Charles Smith, Kimberly-Clark’s director of capital projects, told local officials earlier this month its board is expected to vote in the next six months on whether it will commit to the location.

County commissioners and their counterparts in Howland and Warren townships have each approved 10-year, 60% tax abatements to attract the company, headquartered in Irving, Texas.

On April 7, the state Controlling Board released approximately $17 million to the Western Reserve Port Authority for overall site improvements. The port authority is the lead agency on the project and has worked with government officials and economic development groups.

Kimberly-Clark purchased approximately 560 acres of the industrial park for $9.9 million from the port authority in December 2023. Approximately 75% of the property is in Howland with the remaining 25% in Warren Township.

The authority is made up of five members, who are tax and economic development professionals responsible for reviewing and approving applications for tax credit assistance, its website states. The authority also monitors and reports the progress of approved projects.