CONNEAUT — Houses that would showcase the building system touted by a potential developer could be erected in Conneaut, said Ward 4 Councilman Tony “Dino” Julio.
Saxcliffe Structural Building Systems, which already has announced interest in building its headquarters in town, also would build houses in the city to demonstrate their patented products and techniques, Julio said.
Michael Ratcliffe, Saxcliffe’s co-owner, told City Council this week his company wants to locate on 15 acres in the East Conneaut Industrial Park. The building would contain clerical employees along with some warehousing and manufacturing capability. Ratcliffe told council the operation could employ as many as 1,000 people within five years.
The company markets a patented system that allows builders to erect a stronger structure at a lower cost, Ratcliffe said. Builders who use the system would pay licensing fees and royalties to Saxcliffe, according to a copy of its business plan.
Julio said Ratcliffe and then-interim city manager Edward Somppi talked back in mid-summer. Five weeks later, Ratcliffe contacted Julio, who in turn directed him to state and county agencies geared to development projects.
At the time, Ratcliffe said the site’s proximity to transportation routes — rail, highway and especially the Lake Erie port — was a big drawing card, according to Julio.
Joseph Mayernick, Growth Partnership for Ashtabula County executive director, said his office is working with Saxcliffe. Right now, the company’s building system is dealing with codes that stipulate how buildings are constructed. The dip in building projects caused by the shaky economy is another concern, Mayernick said.
“When building starts back up, there’s potential for this project,” he said.
Julio said council is intrigued by the Saxcliffe project.
“We need to show the community and business people that we can work with them,” he said.
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