AUSTINTOWN The developer for an industrial site in Austintown has been awarded a $500,000 grant from JobsOhio.

GSP Land Holdings of North Jackson was awarded a $500,000 Site Inventory Program grant from JobsOhio to support the construction of a new 25,000-square-foot industrial spec building on Silica Road in Austintown.

The grant was created to address the shortage of development-ready industrial space across Ohio.

Lake to River Interim CEO Alexa Sweeney Blackman is quoted in a press release saying this grant is a win for the entire region.

"Spec buildings like the one GSP Land Holdings is constructing are crucial tools in business attraction efforts. With this investment from JobsOhio, we're removing barriers for site selectors and giving companies more reason to choose our region," Blackman said.

The site is one of the last vacant large parcels of industrial land in Austintown. It received a 10-year 60% property tax abatement from the township in July.

Several local leaders like State Senator Al Cutrona, State Representative Lauren McNally and Austintown Township Trustee Chair Bruce Shepas say this development will be beneficial to Austintown's economy and job growth.

"This project is an example of how strategic collaboration and readiness can turn underused property into real opportunity for job growth and economic strength in our region," Shepas said.