Disposable paper product manufacturing giant Kimberly-Clark’s purchase last month of 560 acres in Trumbull County has been correctly described by one economic development expert as a “huge win” for the community.

We’d go even one step further and call it a game-changer.

Kimberly-Clark, a Fortune 200 Texas-based manufacturer of consumer brands that include Kleenex, Cottonelle, Huggies, Kotex and Depend, on Dec. 27, finalized the $9.9 million purchase of the acreage that formerly housed the Republic Steel and then RG Steel mills and was most recently owned by Western Reserve Port Authority.

The company has not yet announced its intention for the property, but sources close to the project have said it’s expected to be used for manufacturing.

A recent news release from Kimberly-Clark states the company is finalizing its development and project plans for the site and is working toward board approval sometime in 2024.

We are thrilled, not only for what this particular project offers, but for the potential it also presents.

Almost half of the 1,000-acre former RG Steel property still remains available.

The acreage — a combination of brownfield and green space — has been described as among the best shovel-ready properties for manufacturing in the United States.

Investment in the Valley by one of the world’s largest manufacturers of tissue products brings increasingly more manufacturing diversity to our Mahoning Valley that previously was known largely for steel, automotive and oil and gas production. It, of course, also has shifted to EV and warehouse distribution.

The newfound diversity, we believe, makes the region even more attractive to other businesses seeking a new location and a Midwest welcome mat.

It appears the value of our Mahoning Valley in terms of location, transportation and natural resources finally is being recognized and embraced.

This project goes one step further by also representing a cooperative attitude among Valley residents and leaders in getting this project accomplished.

Port Authority board member Ed Muransky summed it up as a “great day, positive for our Valley” with far-reaching positive impact across the region.

He added, “And I think the biggest thing to take away out of this is the new wave in our Valley of everybody working together and not having any problems stand in our way of getting something done when it’s the right thing for the Valley. … It’s just an example of what can be done if we are ‘we,’ and hopefully this is the beginning of a lot of other things.”

Well said!

While much work remains on this development project, undoubtedly it will be a wonderful part of a very bright future.

Some of that work and challenges to be rectified already are on the radar. Among them is the need for increasing the local population and growing the workforce.

Indeed, large manufacturers need workers, but so, too, do small businesses. No one wants to see those small businesses risk a viable future because of limited workforce numbers being drawn away by giant manufacturers.

We are hopeful new development like this will help draw in new residents while also retaining young talent who hopefully realize the value and opportunity that our Valley presents.

In the words of Will Williams, president and chief executive of Western SC, a regional economic development organization that represents the South Carolina county that’s home to a giant Kimberly-Clark manufacturing facility, “That is a huge win for you all, for your community.”

We couldn’t agree more.