NORTH JACKSON — The state Controlling Board awarded $250,000 for a road widening project near the Macy’s distribution center, which is undergoing a $30 million renovation to dedicate a portion of the building to online order fulfillment.

The grant, approved Monday, went to the Mahoning County Engineer’s Office for public improvement work, according to a controlling board document.

The work is to Mahoning Avenue to add left turn lanes in the east and west directions to turn onto Bailey Road to accommodate the increased traffic volume created by the Macy’s project, according to the document.

The road project is expected to start this year.

Macy’s Corporate Services LLC announced in February 2021 it would spend $30 million at its distribution center at 12629 Mahoning Ave. to convert a portion into a fulfillment center for consumer online orders.

The company said at the time that it would add 417 jobs with an annual payroll of $16.7 million by Dec. 31, 2023. That’s an average annual salary of more than $40,000.

Macy’s also will retain 55 positions with a $2.1 million annual payroll there.

The 600,000-square-foot facility isn’t growing in size. Instead, about 380,000 square feet is being converted for the fulfillment center.

The Ohio Tax Credit Authority gave the company in February 2021 a 1.472 percent, eight-year tax credit worth about $1.8 million.

State Rep. Al Cutrona, R-Canfield, said Monday, “Macy’s Corporate LLC is a wonderful asset to the community, and it is great to see this funding coming to the Valley to make our roadways more efficient for all of those who use them for travel.”

Macy’s has Mahoning Valley stores at the Eastwood Mall in Niles and the Southern Park Mall in Boardman.

Also Monday, the Ohio Department of Transportation proposed the construction of exclusive left and right turn lanes along Interstate 76 eastbound and westbound exit ramps on Bailey Road for this project and others nearby.

The $1.4 million road project is scheduled to begin construction in 2023.

Work also includes the extension of the existing northbound and southbound left-turn lanes at the interchange, traffic signal installations, new pavement markings and new traffic signs.