By WARREN DILLAWAY - Staff Writer
ANDOVER — After negotiations to bring a company to Conneaut went on the rocks in June the village of Andover stepped in to help make the business a reality, said Andover Mayor Bernie Baranowski.
“It was a letter of intent,” Baranowski said of the agreement that was signed earlier this month.
Baranowski said he initiated contact with Michael Ratcliffe when he saw that the Conneaut negotiations had stalled.
He said the village has agreed to apply for state and federal grants to help make the project a reality.
Baranowski said at least 120 jobs could be created by Saxcliffe Structural Products if things go as planned.
In November of 2008 Ratcliffe told city council he wanted to locate on 15 acres in the East Conneaut Industrial Park. At the time he said his eventual goal would be to employ as many as 1,000 people.
Attempts to reach Ratcliffe Friday afternoon were unsuccessful.
Baranowski said Ratcliffe is looking for land through a developer. He said not having to handle land negotiations was a “win win” for the village.
“He’s great to talk to, great to work with so far. We are very fortunate for him to consider this area,” he said.
Attempts to contact Conneaut City Manager Robert Schaumleffel Jr. and Growth Partnership of Ashtabula County Director Joseph Mayernick were unsuccessful Friday afternoon.
“Right now its very much in its infancy,” Baranowski said.
