Commissioners hear Kimberly Clark request for 60% tax abatement for new distribution center in Howland Township

Kimberly Clark asked the Board of Trumbull County Commissioners to consider an enterprise zone agreement that would grant the company a 60% property tax abatement for 10 years for a proposed regional distribution center in Howland Township.

Branch Cenkule, Kimberly Clark’s government relations director, said the project would be roughly 591,661 square feet, would house warehouse and office space supporting distribution of absorbent hygiene and other consumer products, could employ up to 65 people once complete, and — if approved and budgeted for construction — would start early next year with completion expected by 2027. "We expect that the project, construction, if approved, would begin early next year and be completed by the 2027," Cenkule told commissioners.

Commissioners voiced support for the company’s footprint in Trumbull County and the Mahoning Valley and credited local economic development partners, including the planning commission and JobsOhio, for helping attract investment. Commissioner comments emphasized the project as a cooperative effort among townships, cities and county offices.

The item was presented as an enterprise zone agreement (Item 9 on the agenda). A motion to consider the enterprise zone agreement was made, seconded and carried by unanimous vote to move the item forward for approval.

Next steps identified during the meeting included further review of the enterprise zone agreement and usual administrative procedures; no final abatement ordinance or formal adoption vote appears in the transcript extract of this meeting.