Huge job maker hailed

FINDLAY — Sheetz and area officials Wednesday marked progress in Findlay on the biggest food and ag industry job-creation project in recent history for Ohio's economic development program. Sheetz will create over 700 jobs within five years after it opens a new $169 million food preparation and distribution services building in 2026. Construction began this past October on the 511,704-square-foot building at the northwest corner of County Road 212 and Township Road 230. "Seven hundred-plus jobs in any given project is the largest project – based on new jobs – in the food and ag sector in the history of (the JobsOhio program)," said Tim Derickson, managing director for the Food & Agribusiness Sector of JobsOhio. JobsOhio was formed in 2011. JobsOhio prevailed on the State Tax Credit Authority to grant a 10-year payroll tax credit for Sheetz for the 700-plus jobs and $43.5 million in annual payroll it is projected to create. Findlay City Council also has stepped up, committing $3 million to extend city water, sewer and storm sewer and road improvements to accommodate Sheetz. The state also is contributing $1.1 million toward the road improvements. "We didn't used to be in the distribution center business 25 years ago. We used to just be in the convenience store (business) and we used outside distribution as a lot of folks do," said Travis Sheetz, chief executive officer of the family-owned company. "But at Sheetz we like to control the complete customer experience. … In order to do that we felt like we needed to own our supply chain." It built its first distribution center in 2001 near Altoona, Pennsylvania; then it built a second in Burlington, North Carolina. The one under construction in Findlay will become its third distribution center. Most community members barely glimpse "the process that goes into making deals like this happen, and attracting businesses whether it is from determining the infrastructure needs and how we can make that happen, determining the processes that need to happen at the local government, for incentives," Findlay Mayor Christina Muryn said. "But also looking at how do we continue to build our local economy." "I'm really proud of the work that I have been able to be a part of with Findlay-Hancock County Economic Development, Regional Growth Partnership, the Hancock County commissioners," she said. "Being a team is what really makes things happen in Findlay and Hancock County." Sheetz was established in 1952 in Altoona, Pennsylvania. The company operates over 770 store locations throughout Michigan, Pennsylvania, West Virginia, Virginia, Maryland, Ohio and North Carolina.