The Niles City Council revealed some very positive news last week with the announcement of an expansion of a local business.

Toefco Engineered Spray Coatings is going to build a 20,000-square-foot facility at the vacant property at the corner of Lake and North 13th Streets.

If you are having trouble picturing the land, don’t worry. There is nothing remarkable about it. It is a weed-infested parking lot surrounded by a fence.

The city acquired the property a few years ago from Carrier Corp. — the parent company of the once prosperous Tyler Refrigeration company, which closed in 2009 leaving hundreds without work.

The property came as part of a package deal with plot of land to the north — just across Lake Street — that has since been turned into softball fields. Carrier Corp. spent $400,000 on the softball fields, which opened this year.

It also came with an agreement that the city would transfer ownership of the land only if it benefitted the city economically.

Toefco said its $1.5 million expansion project will allow it to grow its business significantly and, in the process, create 15 to 20 new jobs.

The deal will also result in thousands of dollars in annual property tax revenue for the city, according to Niles officials.

All that was needed to make it happen was for the Niles City Council to agree to give the land to Toefco. That happened Monday night.

It was a win-win for the city and Toefco — whose facility is located on North 14th Street, adjacent to the property.

Not only is a local business growing and creating jobs through this deal, the city has found a use for a once-useless property.

Toefco and city leaders should be commended for bring much needed positive economic news to Niles.

 

Opinions expressed are those of the editorial board consisting of Publisher Michael Caldwell and editors Ambrosia Neldon, Craig Haupert, Ted Yoakum and Scott Novak.