Strait and Lamp Lumber Co. pledges to bring 23 jobs, make $1.4 million in property improvements
BARBERTON — Barberton City Council Feb. 9 approved two tax incentive agreements with Strait and Lamp Lumber Co., which plans to make property improvements and expansions at a vacant property at 250 S. Van Buren Ave., creating 23 jobs averaging $29.65 per hour over the next three years.
The company has stated its overall new payroll is expected to be $1.4 million — $350,000 in year one, $850,000 in year two, and $200,000 in year three. Strait and Lamp also is planning $900,000 in building additions and $450,000 in new construction at the property, along with making $2.5 million in machinery, equipment, furniture and other purchases.
The tax incentive agreements include a local Barberton Works Business Incentive grant, which refunds the business a certain percentage of income tax based on the number of jobs and payroll they create, which can be granted back to that business provided they create the number of jobs they are supposed to create.
The second incentive is a Community Reinvestment Area (CRA) agreement, which will exempt 75% of taxes on new development for 10 years, which is below the threshold requiring approval from both City Council and the Barberton City Schools.
The city’s economic development consultant Jason Dodson, from the law firm Roetzel and Andress, explained at the Feb. 2 Council meeting that “all existing taxes on the property would continue to get paid” to the city and the school district, with the tax incentives only applying to property improvements. Dodson said the city and the school district would thereby receive all current taxes and additional 25% on new construction provided through the CRA agreement. Dodson also noted CRAs are based on an “85 to 90%” of valuation on new construction, and 50% of valuation on improvements.
Also at the Feb. 2 meeting, Councilwoman Rebecca Gearhart (R-Ward 5) pointed out that the Barberton Works program requires a minimum of 10 jobs be created within the first year of the agreement, with Strait and Lamp only committing to six in the first year. Councilman Monte Harris (R-Ward 6), who was the lone vote against both agreements, said this, and a number of other concerns, led to his vote.
After the Feb. 9 meeting, Harris said he also is dubious of the city’s ability to monitor and confirm the job creation requirements; the fact that the tax savings will not necessarily benefit Strait and Lamp employees when it is returned to the company; and the loss of revenue to the schools on property improvements given the district’s current need for an 11-mill operating levy.
“It’s not a lot of money, but the schools could use it,” Harris said.
Also at the meeting, Mayor William Judge announced the city was one of three recipients of a placemaking project grant from the Akron-Cleveland Association of Realtors for improvements in the city’s Purple Lot, at West Tuscarawas Avenue and Second Street Northwest.
“That is a lot that’s got a lot of history we have been looking at for many years,” Judge said. “We want to make it more functional, improve parking, beautify it and add lighting. It is only $5,000, but it is a great grant going toward a great purpose for community development downtown.”
Council also approved:
• the appointment of Maci Devenport to fill an unexpired term on the Planning Commission ending Dec. 31, 2027;
• submitting a $75,000 grant request to the Barberton Community Foundation for funding assistance for the citywide master plan; and
• a $24,260 payment to the Summit County Fiscal Office for the first half 2026 radio access fees.
Barberton City Council met Feb. 17 at 6 p.m. for its Streets, Health, Planning, Finance and Committee of the Whole meetings, and will next meet Feb. 24 at 6 p.m. for its Parks, Safety, Rules, Utilities, a second Finance and its regular legislative meeting, all in Council Chambers at the Barberton Municipal Building, 576 W. Park Ave. Meetings also are viewable online at cityofbar berton.com under “Government” and “City Council.”
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