Company taking 170 jobs to Stow

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by Kristin Casale

Stow Sentry Associate Editor

Stow -- More than 150 full-time jobs are expected to leave Hudson by the end of this year when the JDC companies move their operations to Stow.

JDC President John D. Clunk is expected to move his operations to Courthouse Boulevard, near Steels Corners Road, by the end of this year, when the Stow Municipal Courthouse is scheduled to be completed on the same street, according to Stow Economic Development Coordinator Chuck Wiedie.

Clunk said he researched keeping his businesses in Hudson, but "things just didn't work out."

Hudson City Council President Mike Moran referred questions to the city's communications and economic development manager, Jody Roberts. She was unavailable Feb. 18 as city offices were closed for Presidents Day.

Clunk's operation began in Hudson in 1999 as a single law firm, but his business grew steadily over the years to include seven total companies. The businesses have addresses on Darrow Road, Hudson Drive and Maple Drive.

Clunk said the companies that will move include a technology business, Process Pro; law firm John D. Clunk Co. LPA; law firm Clunk, Paisley and Associates; real estate firm KJC Management; real estate firm Ohio REO Realty; software company Ethan Daniel; and title research firm Sovereign Title.

"This is probably one of the largest office projects that has come to the city of Stow," Wiedie said.

Clunk plans to construct a 40,000-square-foot, two-story office building near the courthouse. He estimated construction will cost $6 million to $8 million.

He plans to bring 170 full-time jobs to Stow with the move, and within 36 months of relocating, is expected to add another 45 full-time jobs.

Wiedie said once the 45 jobs are added, the company is expected to provide $120,000 in annual income tax to Stow.

Stow City Council President Janet D'Antonio said the move is "definitely a boon to the city."

As an incentive to move to Stow, Wiedie said, the city and the Stow-Munroe Falls School Board approved a 13-year tax abatement for JDC.

The abatement waives JDC's requirement of paying property taxes to the city of Stow for 13 years, he said. However, JDC still must pay $52,000 in annual property taxes to the Stow-Munroe Falls School District.

Clunk said he looks forward to expanding his operation in Stow.

"The area on Steels Corners Road is just a wonderful location for business," he said. "It feels really good to be wanted."

Wiedie said Clunk's operations will be a good addition to the Steels Corners Road area.

"We were hoping the courthouse would be a natural to attract these types of companies," he said.

Wiedie said Stow officials began talking with Clunk about relocating a year ago.

Aside from his businesses in Hudson, Clunk also owns a satellite office in Georgetown, Ky.

E-mail: kcasale@recordpub.com

Phone: 330-686-3917