Ravenna council empowers LG Chem's opening next month

Ravenna City Council approved an agreement Tuesday that will empower LG Chem to open two factories next month.

Council approved an electrical easement authorizing Mayor Frank Seman to allow FirstEnergy to run electrical services to the factory, which is constructing two buildings behind Ravenna's former GE plant in the Chestnut Commerce Center off North Chestnut Street.

In spring 2022, LG Chem started construction on the buildings, which are expected to open in February. The firm is constructing a 148,400-square-foot ABS compounding building, and a 60,350-square-foot ABS Technical Center. The business plans to hire 72 employees within two years.

The factory will produce ABS, a type of flexible plastic used in various industrial applications, including the automotive industry. Company President Young Lee has said the factory will be the only site in the United States where LG will produce the chemical compound.

Last fall, Seman asked council for the easement, which he said was "critical" in order for the factory to meet its target opening date. But weeks later, City Engineer Bob Finney said the project was "back to the drawing board."

The city plans to replace a water tank in the area, and Finney said the city was concerned that poles are too close to the construction zone. So, the project was redesigned to relocate the poles.

Council approved the measure Tuesday, which is still in time to meet the new February opening date. Finney said the factory has temporary electricity during the construction process.

In November, council approved Tax Increment Financing to offset the cost of the road built to serve the factories and water and sewer lines extended to the property.

Reporter Diane Smith can be reached at 330-298-1139 or dsmith@recordpub.com.

This article originally appeared on Record-Courier: Ravenna council empowers LG Chem's opening next month