Staff report

AUSTINTOWN — A developer’s effort to attract business to the Valley received a $500,000 boost with an assist from the Lake to River Economic Development, the agency announced Monday.

JobsOhio, a private nonprofit economic development corporation, awarded a Site Inventory Program grant to GSP Land Holdings of North Jackson to support the company’s construction of a 25,000-square-foot industrial spec building on an undeveloped lot at 6405 SIlica Road, Austintown.

Lake to River worked with developer Joe Cetor, co-owner of GSP Land Holdings, to secure the funding.

In early July, township trustees approved a 10-year, 60% tax abatement for the project.

The structure, a preengineered metal building, will be designed to accommodate a range of industrial tenants. Lake to River said in its news release that the site is one of the last vacant large parcels of industrial land in the township.

“Spec buildings like the one GSP Land Holdings is constructing are crucial tools in our business attraction efforts,” said Alexa Sweeney Blackann, interim CEO of Lake to River. “With this investment from JobsOhio, we’re removing barriers for site selectors and giving companies more reasons to choose our region. This grant is a win for our entire region.”

Joe Cetor, co-owner of GSP Land Holdings, said the project will “serve as a launchpad for new economic activity and new jobs.”

The effort will be the third and largest preengineered metal building Cetor and his partners have constructed in the last several years, all within the Lake to River region — which covers Mahoning, Trumbull, Columbiana and Ashtabula counties.

“This project and investment reflect our continued belief in the strength of small business, manufacturing and the future of the Mahoning Valley,” Cetor said.

Township Trustee Bruce Shepas said vision, risk and a strong partnership all play a role in the project.

“This kind of development doesn’t happen by accident,” he said. “GSP Holdings is stepping up as a private investor, and Lake to River continues to show why this region needed its own economic development agency.

“This project is an example of how strategic collaboration and readiness can turn underused property into real opportunity for job growth and economic strength in our region.”