Shearer’s planning $30 million expansion

MASSILLON — Shearer’s Snacks is planning a major expansion project that could break ground as soon as this month on the city’s southeast side.

City Council heard Monday night from Steve Townshend, vice president of technical services and distribution for Shearer’s, who is asking for an enterprise zone tax exemption to assist the company with constructing a $30 million, 700,000 square-foot warehouse in the Gene Boerner Industrial Park, adjacent to Millennium Boulevard SE.

Townshend told council that Shearer’s is hoping to begin construction by mid-September and start operations at the new location by the end of 2018.

“This (development) puts growth potential in front of us, and will help with transportation costs,” said Townshend, adding that the new facility would replace an existing 560,000 square-foot warehouse in Navarre.

The new building will have more modern loading docks and more space for trailer and equipment storage, Townshend said.

The warehouse is targeted for an approximately 50-acre parcel and will help the company with retaining 160 jobs in the city, according to a legislation request authored by Economic Development Director David Maley.

“This project shows the commitment from Shearer’s to the city,” Maley said.

The property tax exemption request is for 10 years and 75 percent. It’s uncertain whether the new construction would result in additional jobs.

More fundssought for Affinity

More money is being sought to fund ongoing operations at the former Affinity Medical Center, as an appropriation from earlier this year is running out.

Safety-Service Director Joel Smith made a request to council for legislation that calls for $389,700 to continue funding operations, such as making payments on existing leases, building utilities, property maintenance and insurance and salaries for two employees. An ordinance that would approve the funding is up for first reading next week.

Smith said the additional funds should be enough to extend hospital operations for about two months.

In May, an ordinance was approved by council allowing the city to assume financial responsibility for Affinity, which was about $622,000 over three months.

Also Monday, the third of three scheduled closed-door meetings was held. Mayor Kathy Catazaro-Perry, officials in the mayor’s administration, Law Director Andrea Scassa and other city officials met in an executive session to hear from Group 3, which presented its offer to the city for the closed hospital and associated properties and assets.

Two offers were officially presented last week during a closed-door meeting that followed council’s regular session.

CREDIT: STEVEN M GRAZIER