LIMA, Ohio (WLIO) — A proposed property annexation into the city of Delphos has been put on hold. The Allen County Commissioners accepted the withdrawal of a petition by landowners in Marion Township to have their property annexed into the city.
The proposed annexation involved about 10 acres of land. If approved, the property owners could have sold it to a company planning to build a possible gas station near U.S. 30. The commissioners had scheduled an annexation hearing for Thursday, but the landowners withdrew their petition because paperwork was not complete.
“There were some requirements concerning a survey. Those requirements weren't completely met, and they didn't feel they could get those completed by today's annexation hearing. So, at this point, rather than proceeding forward, they chose to withdraw, and we'll see in the future, if they plan to refile that or not,” said Brian Winegardner, Allen County commissioner.
The commissioners also approved a tax abatement agreement for Novus Foods, formerly known as Lakeview Farms, to build a 100,000-square-foot warehouse next to its Delphos factory. The agreement provides a 90% property tax abatement for 10 years to help get the new facility built.
While the project will only create about 15 jobs, it helps retain the more than 500 employees currently working at the Delphos factory.
“I think over the last three years, they further substantiated the growth that they have it at now called Novus Foods LLC, with new products and acquisitions, and that's what kind of changed the scope of work, and putting this as a standalone, 100,000 square foot warehouse, when you look at all the other companies they have across the US, they could have chosen other places to do what they're doing here, and they've selected Delphos to be kind of their crown jewel for the company. And we're happy about that,” said Cynthia Leis, president and CEO of AEDG.
The new warehouse will be constructed just north of the company’s current location on Gressel Drive. Groundbreaking could happen in October.
