LEXINGTON and ONTARIO, Ohio– Richland Source is polling our community mayors to find out what they’re looking forward to in 2015. Earlier this week, the mayors of Bellville, Lucas, and Shelby gave their new year’s forecasts. Today Lexington and Ontario mayors say there’s business.
Lexington Mayor Eugene Parkison is looking forward to a positive new year. “We have some business developments that will be coming forward soon, and I think that’s very good for the village,” he said.
“Financially we’re solid going into 2015,” he added.
Street resurfacing is one of the main infrastructure projects the village will focus on, he said. The sewage treatment plant pumps will also be updated, he said.
He said that the village hopes to eventually sell the south building of the NEER facility, located at 265 S. Mill St. The NEER facility is comprised of two buildings that encompass 79,000 square feet on 4.6 acres. EGS Electrical Group donated the NEER building to the village in January of 2013.
Next Generation Films, Inc. of Lexington is currently renting the north building, the mayor said.
“We’re really optimistic going forward, even into 2016,” Parkison said.
In Ontario, Mayor Randy Hutchinson is hoping to build from this year’s success as the City of Ontario enters the new year. “We had a great year this year and we’re looking to build off that for next year,” he said.
One of Hutchinson’s top priorities as mayor since assuming office has been maintaining and improving the city’s infrastructure. Thus, he said there will continue to be more infrastructure projects in 2015, including the renovation of three lift stations and improving the Ferguson Road and Lexington-Springmill intersection to make way for a new hotel. Businessman Raj Chandat is building an 86-room, extended-stay hotel on 53 acres east of Lexington-Springmill on Ferguson Road.
Hutchinson is looking forward to additional business developments, as well. He highlighted the new FedEx facility in Industrial Park, which is slated to open in the summer of next year. He hopes the Industrial Park will develop further, attracting more businesses to set up shop in that area.
“We’ve got a few other things in the works,” he said. “We’re still working on the old GM [General Motors] lot and looking at how to develop that spot.”
He said that there are also a number of small businesses that are seeking to make improvements to their facilities in the coming year.
“Ontario has always had a strong past and we just want to look forward to bright future,” he said.
