SHELBY — City officials and local leaders gathered at the North Central State College Kehoe Center Friday morning to discuss development in the City of Shelby.
Those attending the Business First Breakfast received updates from the utilities department, safety services, city administration and the Community Improvement Corporation.
Shelby Mayor Steve Schag began the presentation by crediting the work of those around him to help drive development and momentum in the city.
“When someone talks to me about good things going on in Shelby, I, like many of you, point to the word team,” he said. “It’s a team effort.”
Schag, currently in his 10th year as Shelby’s mayor, said one of his job’s biggest challenges is “assembling a long lasting team.”
“I believe what enhances that team spirit in the City of Shelby is the fact we have so many Shelby men and women that serve as employees here in our community.”
Ensman gives updates regarding on-going utilities projects
John Ensman, director of utilities, followed Schag Friday morning and shared updates regarding on-going projects throughout the city.
The director highlighted several current projects, including on-going identification and mapping of all lead service lines within the city.
Ensman said the “major project” is mandated work from the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, which must be completed by October 2024.
As all water service lines to residences are identified, he said the city is working with the Rural Community Assistance Program to compose a map locating all lines, including copper, galvanized and lead.
Of the 3,875 water service lines in Shelby, Ensman said 2,059 have been identified as non-lead, 708 lead, 105 galvanized. Around 1,000 lines remain “unknown” at this time.
“We have some work to do over the next several months to compose this… It’s going to be a daunting task in the near future,” he said.
Other on-going efforts Ensman discussed include the 2024 street paving project, future demolition of the Shelby Light Plant smokestack and the city’s renewable energy project.
Gies talks 2027-28 Mickey Road rebuild
Project Coordinator Joe Gies provided an update on the upcoming Mickey Road project, scheduled to begin in 2027.
The project will include new curbs, drainage, a new road base and pavement.
Frequently used as a detour route while other road projects took place, Mickey Road is considered a collector in the federal highway classification system, meaning the city is eligible to obtain federal funding for the work.
Gies said the project will cost just over $3 million to fund, adding almost $2.3 million will come from federal highway funds. The city will be responsible for the remaining $766,000.
Shelby’s financial responsibility will be covered using a combination of funds from the city’s paving levy and the Ohio Public Works Commission.
“We can apply for up to $500,000 (with OPWC) to make up for that $766,000, so that will get us down even more,” Gies said.
Shelby fire, police chief add to Business First Breakfast presentation
Shelby fire Chief Mike Thompson shared information about fire inspections, including ways business owners can work with the city’s fire department to ensure fire prevention equipment is up-to-date.
Lance Combs, chief of police, discussed creative methods the Shelby Police Department has used to remain competitive with its staffing levels and employee retention.
Shelby CIC looks forward to future development
Jake Penwell, president of the Shelby Community Improvement Corporation, wrapped up Friday’s meeting by looking to the future.
Penwell, who’s also the owner of Penwell Turner Funeral Home, said the CIC is proud to be a part of the team helping move Shelby forward.
“At the core of what CIC works towards, it’s economic development growth,” he said. “High-skill, high-wage jobs helping businesses expand, plant themselves here, retain employees, be creative, and survive in this economy and environment.”
The CIC has played a large role in the revitalization of Shelby’s downtown, including the Main Street streetscape project and creation of the Black Fork Commons Plaza.
In July 2013, Shelby City Council designated the organization as the city’s agent in development of a 15-acre property in the heart of downtown, previously home to the Central Elementary School building and Skiles Field.
Penwell said the CIC is excited to lead the development of this area, adding the opportunity to acquire fifteen acres in the center of the city is “unheard of.”
Development of the recently acquired acreage is a project which will require patience, he said.
“We’re very methodical of how we share the steps,” Penwell said. “Part of our success with everything that happened with downtown (Shelby) was a long thought process and conversation with all of our partners as we go through (the process).”