In a bold move to catalyze industrial growth across Northeast Ohio, Lorain County has secured $67.4 million from Ohio’s All Ohio Future Fund to develop a 1,000-acre advanced manufacturing megasite near the Lorain County Regional Airport in New Russia Township.
The investment marks a transformative step toward positioning the region as a premier destination for large-scale manufacturers.
The megasite will address long-standing infrastructure challenges, including water and sewer access, while leveraging its strategic location, proximity to utilities and transportation corridors, and access to a highly skilled workforce. Though not targeted for data centers, the site is ideally suited for precision-driven industries such as aerospace and automotive manufacturing.
“This site offers a rare combination of scale, infrastructure, and location,” said Christine Nelson, Vice President of Site Strategies at Team NEO. “Its vibration-free environment—despite being adjacent to an airport—makes it uniquely attractive for high-precision operations.”
Real estate expert Terry Coyne of Newmark echoed the sentiment, noting the site’s potential to attract one or two major users due to its size and scarcity among comparable industrial properties.
Local and state leaders are rallying behind the project, citing its potential to drive long-term economic growth across the region:
- “This is a generational opportunity for Lorain County,” said County Administrator Jeff Armbruster. “We’re building the infrastructure today to support the industries of tomorrow.”
- “The megasite will benefit not just Lorain County, but the entire Northeast Ohio corridor,” added State Representative Gayle Manning.
Plans are underway to extend the airport’s runway to 6,500 or 7,000 feet, enabling it to accommodate larger aircraft and potentially relieve traffic from Cleveland Hopkins and Burke Lakefront airports. The infrastructure buildout—including water and sewer lines—is expected to be completed within a three- to five-year horizon.
The initiative has garnered strong support from JobsOhio, Team NEO, and the Lorain County Board of Commissioners, with marketing efforts already in motion to attract high-impact industrial tenants.
