MANSFIELD, Ohio–The city of Mansfield has much to look forward to in 2015, including increased employment and the start of two transportation projects. And Mayor Tim Theaker said he anticipates anywhere from 250 to 300 additional jobs in the market around Mansfield.
“We’re working with several businesses to increase employment,” said Theaker. “We’re working with a lot of different manufacturers and also businesses in the area to help them with increased number of employees. I know there are jobs out there right now.”
Theaker stated that a few Mansfield businesses are looking to expand off of Trimble Road, creating the need to expand Trimble Road to a three- or five-lane road between Cook Road and Marion Avenue.
“We’ve got to watch what we do for traffic; we’ve increased the amount of traffic in that area tremendously along with Ashland University’s nursing school,” he said. “Wen need to make sure we can handle the capacity.”
Trimble isn’t the only roadway anticipating improvement. Theaker also noted that the Ohio Department of Transportation will start a $4.5 million project in 2015, collaborating with the city of Mansfield to pave new roads leading in and out of the city.
Mansfield is also in the process of having a runway at Mansfield Lahm Airport refurbished. According to Theaker, the Federal Aviation Administration will be funding 90 percent of the $6 million project to rehab Runway 5/23. Theaker noted the city has already matched their required contribution.
In addition to the runway, Theaker stated the city is working to solidify a contract with a fixed-base operator (FBO) for Lahm Airport. An FBO is a commercial business granted the right by an airport to operate on the airport and provide aeronautical services such as fueling, tie-down and parking, aircraft rental, or aircraft maintenance.
In short, “We’ve got a lot going on,” said Theaker.
