Economic Success
Building on economic success has been Wade’s highest priority as Mayor.
Toledo is #1 in the nation among mid-sized cities for new business development.
For more than a generation, bad trade deals and disappointing leadership from Columbus and Washington, D.C. caused job loss and population decline in Toledo. But Toledoans are strong and can do anything they put their minds to. Mayor Kapszukiewicz has not waited for others to come to our rescue. Instead, he and his team have rolled up their sleeves and got to work – and their efforts are paying off!
After 50 years, Toledo and surrounding suburban communities came together to create a new Regional Water Authority that will establish fair rates and keep water prices low for Toledo residents for generations to come. By working together, Mayor Kapszukieiwcz, Toledo City Council, and its local government partners demonstrated that we could do big things, act for the common benefit of our region, and attract next-generation investments without petty fights and win-lose competition.
Since taking office, Mayor Wade has returned more than 600 acres of vacant commercial and industrial land to productive use. Those projects have created more than 2,500 permanent jobs, more than 500 new residential units, and two new world-class Metroparks in the center of Toledo. $2.2 billion worth of projects are underway, or recently completed, creating nearly 3,500 new permanent jobs and 1,079 new residential units.
+ Our Successes Include:
A $25 million investment by Amazon at the former Southwyck Shopping Center property. The project will create 410 jobs and redevelop a 58-acre site that sat vacant for more than a decade.
A $23 million investment by Fiat Chrysler Automobiles for the sale and redevelopment of the former Textileather and MedCorp properties site. The company will build a 250,000 square foot vehicle customization facility that will create 300 jobs and redevelop 40 acres of previously vacant land.
Bitwise, a Fresno, Calif.-based software developer, high-tech academy, and workspace host company which announced in February that it plans to purchase renovate, and locate in the Jefferson Center, Toledo’s historic former post office that was built in 1911 and was listed on the National Register of Historic Places in 1972 as the Old Central Post Office.
A $39 million investment by General Motors at its Toledo Transmission Operations facility in North Toledo resulting in the retention of hundreds of jobs. This announcement follows General Motors’ $667 million investment for the nine-speed and ten-speed transmission systems in 2016.
Libbey Glass LLC announcing that it will invest nearly $30 million over the next four years to maintain its Toledo operations, add a stemware line, and remain headquartered in the city.
Brenntag North America, in partnership with Phoenix Investors, completing the renovation of a 225,000 square foot industrial building in the Junction neighborhood. The company also remediated and demolished the adjacent industrial building, which was severely damaged by a chemical fire a few years ago. The $15 million project will create 45 new jobs and return 22-acres of previously vacant land to productive use.
Construction being completed on Cleveland Cliffs’ $700 million project in East Toledo, and the facility is fully operational. The project creates 130 high-paying jobs and substantially increases shipments to the Port of Toledo.
The city cutting the ribbon for Continental Real Estate Co.’s Marina Lofts development in East Toledo, a $44.5 million-dollar project that represents a significant milestone for the city and its efforts to redevelop the long-vacant 115-acre Marina District property.
The commencement of a $50 million mixed-use development in the Colony neighborhood by Continental Real Estate Co., which will create 262 apartments, retail space, and a 120-room Home2 Suites hotel by Hilton.
The Wonder Bread Lofts project, which is underway in the Vistula neighborhood. This is a $7.5 million project that will create 33 market-rate apartments on Summit Street.
Toledo has been named number one in the nation among mid-sized cities for new business investment by Site Selection Magazine.
“The recognition is a major victory for our residents and our business partners. This achievement simply would not be possible without the commitment from the business community. I would like to thank those companies that continue to locate and invest in our community. Today, we celebrate you and what you have done for Toledo.”
— Mayor Kapszukiewicz