The Lima Fire Department is one step closer to modernizing its current fire stations or potentially constructing new ones at different sites. At Monday night’s meeting, Lima City Council gave the green light for the Fire Department to work with KZF Design of Cincinnati on a comprehensive fire station needs assessment and conceptual design study. In other business, council approved legislation for the city to enter into a Community Reinvestment Area tax exemption with Noxus Ohio for a new Clark gas station at 895 S. Cable Road, which formerly housed Ahl for Less. Noxus Ohio requested a tax abatement of 75% for up to 15 years.

“What we gain with that is capital investment on property that was taxed as agriculture now will be taxed as industrial, and so the revenue will be based upon the minimum of $500 million capital investment, a minimum of 50 full-time high-paying jobs,” said Cindy Leis, president and CEO of the Allen Economic Development Group.

"That package not only includes CRA property tax abatement, but it also includes agreements that are put forth for our utilities, both from an electric AEP perspective, water, sanitary sewer, and then we'll also have a plan for road work improvements," said Cindy Leis, President and CEO of the Allen Economic Development Group.

Allen County (WLIO) - The Allen County commissioners are considering a process to designate a specific area of land as a viable location for development.