by Marc Kovac
Capital Bureau chief
Columbus -- The state Controlling Board has signed off on additional funding for the reopening of former Ravenna Aluminum facilities in Portage County.
The lawmaker panel, without comment, released a $300,000 rapid outreach grant, for use by Parks-Ohio and its General Aluminum subsidiary to purchase machinery and equipment.
The total cost of the acquisition, including "milling machines, mold gassing systems, shell core machines, melting furnaces, squeeze molding machines, sanders, drills and related equipment," is about $3.5 million, with the company committed to covering the balance, according to documents.
The project would create 200 full-time jobs with average hourly wages of $13 per hour.
Ravenna Aluminum ceased operations late last year, closing facilities in Rootstown and Ravenna and leaving 461 people out of work.
General Aluminum manufactures automotive parts, including engine, transmission, suspension and brake components.
The company purchased the assets of Ravenna Aluminum and plans to re-establish operations in two phases, first in Rootstown and then in Ravenna.
The total project will cost about $7.85 million, according to documents.
State officials already have OK'd tax credits for the project and a $4 million low-interest loan.
Ohio was competing with Indiana and Mississippi for the project, according to documents.
"This project is of extreme importance to the communities of Ravenna and Rootstown, where significant layoffs occurred in 2007," according to documents. "The company plans to acquire the assets and bring business back to historic levels (in excess of $75 million annual revenues with over 450 employees)."
Company Chairman Ed Crawford said Oct. 6 that limited production could begin at the site before the end of the year. Hiring activities have begun, and a meeting at the Rootstown site is scheduled for next month.
"We are not looking at alternative sites," he said, adding, "We're very pleased with the response of the state and of all the officials. It is an endorsement of job creation and recreation in the future."
In other Controlling Board action, the panel, without comment, OK'd more than $1.5 million for improvements to public boating facilities, including funding one project in Summit County.
The funds were awarded by the Ohio Department of Natural Resources, through its Cooperative Boating Facilities Program. A total of 11 projects will receive funding.
The total includes $20,000 for new restroom facilities at Portage Lake State Park.
Marc Kovac is the Dix Newspapers Capital Bureau chief. E-mail him at mkovac@dixcom.com.