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Lorain County amends contract for Sustainability Learning Center exhibits after change orders; Ohio EPA grant offsets cost
Summary
The county approved an amendment to a contract for exhibit design at the Lorain County Sustainability Learning Center, adding $75,808 in change orders to the contract funded in part by an Ohio EPA grant.
Lorain County commissioners on May 9 approved an amendment increasing a contract to design exhibits at the Lorain County Sustainability Learning Center, adding roughly $75,808 in change orders to produce the exhibit set commissioners said aligns with evolving education and safety needs.
Brandy Schnell, special projects manager with the Lorain County Solid Waste Management District, told the board the Sustainability Learning Center is connected to the county’s award-winning Collection Center on South Abbey Road and already hosting school groups. "We have had 400 students come through there so far," Schnell said, adding that the change orders were required to complete displays and accommodate audio-visual and safety improvements.
A $50,000 grant from the Ohio Environmental Protection Agency helped offset the added costs; the amended total contract amount is $375,808 and will be paid from the Solid Waste Commissioner's contractual services budget. Schnell said local partners provided donations—Raffland Soils for a compost display and the Association of Ohio Recyclers for AV equipment—which reduced the county’s outlay.
Why it matters: County officials described the center as an education investment to lower recycling contamination and teach reduce/reuse/recycle practices to students. Commissioners said the center and related outreach can improve recycling quality, which affects municipal recycling contracts and community waste costs.
Discussion and context: Commissioners praised partnerships and the center’s role in educating children and residents about correct recycling practices. Schnell said staff are still recruiting donors to add displays and that the center’s pollinator garden is already in use for educational visits.
Action recorded: The board amended the existing contract with Exhibits of Grand Rapids (contract initially entered June 2023) to reflect additional change orders totaling approximately $75,808. Schnell said the center will continue to expand school visits and public programming.
