City council approves of JEDD contract for Kimberly Clark Project, Townships yet to vote

Warren City Council members were the first of three municipalities to agree to a Joint Economic Development District for the Kimberly Clark project.

All 10 members voted “yes” for a unanimous decision in support of a plan that will help the million square foot facility come to fruition. During Wednesday’s meeting, several council members praised the idea of a JEDD calling it a landmark decision. 

“That is a win, win, win for everybody involved and we really lose nothing but we only gain,” Councilman Todd Johnson, Warren First Ward representative said. 

The contract details an agreement between Howland Township, Warren Township and the City of Warren that all have some portion of land on or near the old steel site that now belongs to the global manufacturer.

The JEDD would allow a newly formed board overseeing the land to tax themselves. That money will cover the cost of all updates to the site - taking no money from taxpayers.

“For that site really to grow there are vital infrastructure needs that have to be addressed and this JEDD mechanism is a sensible way to do that and we support it,” Branch Sinkule, a representative from Kimberly Clark said during the meeting. 

If passed by all, the board would be made up of five members, one from Howland Township, Warren Township, the City of Warren, the Kimberly Clark Corporation and an employee representative from Kimberly Clark. 

The $800 million investment for a plant that will make household items was praised by people living in Warren during Wednesday's public comment.

“This company we are lucky to get them into this community,” one man said. “They are a clean operation.”

Warren City Council's vote does not mean the agreement is written in ink. The vote gives Mayor Doug Franklin the authority to vote ‘yes’ once an official JEDD vote is needed.

Howland and Warren township trustees did not vote on the JEDD during their meetings Wednesday. Both are waiting for Kimberly Clark's board to cast their vote. Warren Township Trustee ED Anthony told 21 News the corporation's attorneys are looking over part of the contract before that can happen.

The trustees must have a unanimous vote to agree to the JEDD. Trustee Anthony said they will be holding a special meeting sometime before July 15 for their decision. 

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