On Nov. 7, 2025, the Lorain County Board of Commissioners approved an exclusive buyer/tenant agency agreement with Cresco Limited to assist the county in identifying and acquiring a large parcel (described in the agreement as about 80 to 100 acres west of Balm Hart Road and north of North Ridge Road) intended to open the western part of the county to development.

The agreement, presented by staff and approved by motion, authorizes Cresco to help identify, value, negotiate and acquire required parcels in accordance with Ohio law and federal procurement standards and includes an 8% broker commission on the total sales price or gross rent for the property term. The board recorded the motion, second and roll‑call 'Aye' votes to adopt the agreement.

The item drew public comment before the vote from township officials and residents who said they had not been adequately included in planning discussions. Eric Flynn, a Penfield Township trustee, told the board it has been “really hard to talk to your residents when a project like this gets [announced] without bringing us to the table,” saying rural communities need earlier engagement and more transparency.

Resident Will Schlechter (Henry Wright Township) asked commissioners to “rethink this a little bit,” raising concerns about traffic and the effect of sewers and development on rural character. Schlechter also questioned potential environmental and water‑use impacts from data centers and whether any study of warm discharge to Lake Erie had been done.

County officials framed the Cresco agreement and the sewer project as separate but related steps. On the record, a county speaker said the sewer work is “critical to opening up the West Side of Lorain County” and that the sewer project has broader applications beyond any single economic development proposal. The board repeatedly emphasized the sewer system would support landowners’ choices about development.

The board did not announce any new environmental or hydrological studies at the meeting. Commissioners said more public engagement and budget talks will follow and that sewer planning will proceed as the county continues to assemble necessary parcels and project details.

The agreement with Cresco and the broader sewer initiative do not themselves authorize construction; they arrange representation and parcel acquisition. The board indicated that future steps — including procurement, property closings, permits and any environmental review — will follow statutory processes and separate approvals.

What’s next: County staff and commissioners said they will continue community outreach and budget discussions in coming weeks and months, and that the Cresco agreement is a step toward assembling property and allowing design and financing work to proceed.