Wickliffe council approves incentive package to retain and expand Lubrizol operations
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Summary
Council adopted three emergency ordinances creating a job creation/retention income tax credit and approving incentive agreements tied to Lubrizol’s retention of roughly 700 jobs and relocation/creation of about 380 jobs; a related 10-year, 75% CRA will be presented after statutorily required notices.
The Wickliffe City Council on April 13 adopted a package of ordinances to support an expansion and retention plan for Lubrizol and affiliated entities, including a new job-creation and retention income tax credit program and two incentive agreements to support roughly 700 retained jobs and about 380 new or relocated positions.
Mayor Josakas told council the city welcomes Lubrizol’s decision to expand in Wickliffe. “We’re beyond pleased that Lubrizol chose Wycliffe to remain here and look forward to their expansion and our continued partnership,” the mayor said.
Patrick of the Lake Development Authority explained the three-record ordinance package and the statutory notice process for a related Community Reinvestment Area (CRA) agreement. “Ordinances 19 and 21 approve separate incentive agreements; Ordinance 20 establishes the job creation and retention income tax program,” Patrick said, adding the overall incentive package includes a proposed 10‑year, 75% CRA that will be presented to council after required notices to the affected school districts and community are complete.
Council members asked detailed questions about protections in the agreements. Councilman Jaworski said he appreciated language that requires the city to look to the company’s performance before issuing reimbursements, including clawback steps if the commitments are not met. “I had concerns coming in about what the clawback language would look like in this,” Jaworski said. Patrick and city staff confirmed the agreements include provisions aimed at protecting the city.
Council voted to suspend the rules and place the Lubrizol ordinances on third reading; those measures then passed on final reading. Council discussion also covered how the package treats affiliates and reimbursements in the event of name changes or reorganizations: Patrick said references to “affiliates” were intended to accommodate possible corporate structure changes so the incentives remain effective for related Lubrizol entities.
The council president said the city and county representatives have spent months working on the terms. Finance Director Mike Matus and the law director reviewed protections to ensure the city is shielded if the project does not proceed as expected.
The council recorded votes adopting Ordinance 2026-19 (job retention and capital incentive agreement), Ordinance 2026-20 (job creation/retention income tax credit program), and Ordinance 2026-21 (job creation and retention incentive agreement). The ordinances were adopted as presented; the related CRA agreement will be brought to council in May after statutorily required notices are complete.
The council concluded the related agenda items by noting the city will monitor compliance with the agreements and the statutory notice period for the CRA.
