Jobs Ohio and Ohio SE Announce $2.9 Million Downtown Barnesville Project
JobsOhio and the Ohio Southeast Economic Development Agency (OhioSE) announced a new development project for downtown Barnesville in a press release Tuesday, July 1.
The Belmont County, Ohio, project “is one step closer to reality. JEFBA, LLC, in collaboration with JobsOhio, Ohio Southeast Economic Development (OhioSE), the Belmont County Port Authority, and the Village of Barnesville, today announced an investment of over $2.9 million to construct a new building in historic downtown Barnesville, creating 15 new jobs”.
The release notes the new 10,000 square-foot building will fill a gap in the community for much needed office space to bolster community development and revitalization.
“The new, two-story building in Barnesville will complement the community’s historic architecture while creating future investment opportunities,” said Ohio Governor Mike DeWine. “The facility will bring new life to this once-vacant property and be highly attractive to new businesses.”
Regarding the development Mayor Jake Hershberger said, ” I’m excited to see this new two-story building becoming a reality in Barnesville. While the demolition of historic buildings brought mixed emotions, this project marks the beginning of a new chapter for our town. It not only adds to our landscape but also supports local growth by creating new job opportunities and strengthening our economy. This new building will become part of our future history, and I’m excited to see us moving forward together.
AMfg Labs, which announced an expansion of its Belmont County operations in 2024, will be the anchor tenant for the complex, occupying at least 4,000 square feet of office space. The building plans map out office space for up to 60 new full-time employees.
“The construction of this new facility brings critical office space in the center of Barnesville that has already attracted a cutting-edge advanced manufacturing solutions company,” said JobsOhio President and CEO J.P. Nauseef. “By establishing capacity for more investment and tenants, the building will spark the creation of more jobs and vitality within the heart of the community.”
The new building will be located in the heart of Historic District of Downtown Barnesville on a site where four vacant buildings were previously demolished. The two-story complex will breath life and vibrancy into the community’s core, creating much needed density.
“I’d like to thank JobsOhio for their support in helping to bring this project to life. With the high costs involved, their grant made it possible for us to move forward,” said T.J. Jefferis, CEO of Jefferis Real Estate. This new building will not only improve our downtown area, but it will also create new jobs and lasting benefits to our community”.
Designed with flexibility in mind, the new building will be accommodating for new businesses and configured to allow multiple businesses to occupy the building. Bringing new businesses into the downtown district will be catalytic in reigniting business growth in the community.
“This new foundation building is a major investment in the heart of Barnesville and a testament to the Jefferis family’s deep-rooted commitment to the community,” said Larry Merry, Executive Director of the Belmont County Port Authority. “TJ, his wife Tammy, and their children are playing a leading role in bringing this project to life, continuing the family’s long tradition of shaping Belmont County’s future. From the industrial parks and the local businesses that TJ and his brother John have established, the Jefferis family has been instrumental in driving economic growth in Barnesville. This $3.5 million project will further energize downtown Barnesville, and we’re proud to partner with OhioSE and JobsOhio to support it.”
The JobsOhio Vibrant Community Program offers competitive grants for development projects that help transform areas within a distressed community. Eligible projects include mixed-use projects, real estate development projects, and operated shared spaces, that meet the JobsOhio project criteria.
“This project is exactly what the Vibrant Community Program was created to support,” said Matt Abbott, President and CEO of OhioSE. “It blends the community’s redevelopment plan with local investment to bring much needed services and capacity to the downtown. The JobsOhio support filled the gap to make this project a reality. We know this transformational project will have a positive impact on the Barnesville community and spur additional investment.”
The original JobsOhio Ohio SE press release may be viewed online.
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The buildings formerly located at project location were the focus of a pitched battle between a majority of the village council and community members who had developers ready to redevelop the three historic structures that were owned by the village.
The battle culminated with their removal in October 2023. The village government invested almost a half a million dollars purchasing and demolishing the structures. The property was then sold for a nominal amount.
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