LUCAS, Ohio – In today’s version of Richland Source’s Future Forecast Series, Lucas mayor Todd Hall talks economic development in the village for 2016:

The year 2016 looks to be an exciting time in Lucas, and for the community as a whole.

By mid-year, we hope to see the completion of the Dollar General retail store, which will be located on the east end of the village near Bond Street. The completion of this project will not only give the entire community a place to shop for some items they now have to travel to the O ‘Possum Run Road or Madison area for, but it will also create jobs within the community and provide the Lucas Local Schools with an increase to its tax base.

The Mayor and Village Council are also going to need to closely examine the financial situation involving street resurfacing and repair, and try to come up with a long term solution financially that will enable us to effectively maintain our streets the way we need to. Many are in need of a new surface, and the price to do what needs done is certainly not getting any less expensive.

The Lucas Community Center, located on the west end of town in the building formerly known as Liquid, continues to make improvements to their facility. The front facade of the old structure has been removed, and the new look of the building is outstanding.

While there is still quite a bit of work to be done, the effort and hard work of those involved within the LCC organization needs to be recognized as the look of the building is giving a fresh, clean look to that end of the village, and we are slowly filling vacant business fronts.

Filling the storefront that was normally J&J Super Value is going to be a challenge, and there has been some interest of potential buyers generated. With the right people involved, that building as well can again be used as a viable business option for someone.