The Involta company of Iowa enters Akron as a supporting arm of the new Bridgestone Americas tech center in an area long considered blighted, and largely bypassed by business.
Tendering the only offer to buy the land, Involta plans building a 20,000 square foot data center in the Firestone Park neighborhood. Both Akron and Summit County were willing partners in the planned revitalization, selling 12 and 5 acre plots respectively, for fair market value; slightly less than 480-thousand dollars combined.
Jason Dodson is the county executive's Chief of Staff.
DODSON:
"It was originally purchased for joint economic development purposes, and I think this certainly accomplishes that goal."
Jobs at the tech center are expected to pay about $60,000 and more - providing a source of income tax to the city, and a hoped for catalyst to a neighborhood currently anchored by the county jail.
"Those are high-paying jobs anywhere in our county, and particularly in that area - and those are jobs that there's not a whole lot of in that part of Akron and that part of the county."
The Ohio Tax Authority was also involved in bringing the company to town, with a 300-thousand dollar tax credit.
No timetable for the construction - or the 60 new jobs - has been announced. Involta did not return multiple calls asking for details.
