Charles Manufacturing presents expansion as commissioners weigh enterprise-zone abatement
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Summary
Charles Manufacturing owner Dave Frazier told commissioners his expansion would add payroll and several jobs; planning staff said state law limits abatements to new investment and delegated negotiation authority rests with municipalities, leaving commissioners largely ministerial discretion unless a legal or procedural flaw exists.
At a March 3 workshop, Charles Manufacturing owner Dave Frazier presented his company’s history, workforce and an expansion proposal as the county considered a municipal-negotiated enterprise-zone abatement.
Nick Coggins of the county planning commission walked commissioners through the county’s 1994 enterprise-zone legislation and cited the Ohio Revised Code provisions that guide eligibility and the delegation of negotiation authority to municipalities. Coggins emphasized that abatements apply only to new investment — establishing, expanding, renovating or occupying facilities — and do not affect taxes currently being paid.
Assistant prosecutor Samantha Heck (referenced) told commissioners that the county’s legislation delegates negotiation authority to affected municipalities and that the commissioners’ role is typically ministerial: they must approve agreements presented by a city if the procedural and legal requirements are met. Changing the county’s delegation would require agreement from the 30 participating communities, she said.
Owner Dave Frazier said the expansion would create four full-time positions, two part-time roles and about $400,000 in payroll; he said 13 of his 15 current employees live in Trumbull County. Commissioners said the owner’s presentation provided useful context and called for a clearer rubric for deciding abatements for small applicants, saying they want more backstory earlier in the review process.
One commissioner thanked staff for delaying last week’s vote so commissioners could hear directly from the company. The mayor of Warren and chamber representatives also praised the investment and encouraged approval; several school-board and township concerns were noted in earlier hearings, commissioners said.
What happens next: commissioners were reminded of a 30-day default rule — if they take no action within 30 days of receiving an approved municipal agreement, it becomes effective by default — and staff said they will return with any remaining procedural clarifications and the official municipal agreement for a formal vote.
