Ashtabula County, Ohio
The Ashtabula County, Ohio BDO Zone for Miscanthus Biomass is rated ‘BB’.
Rating Issue Date: April 24, 2025.
'BB' ratings indicate moderate prospects for Feedstock Supply and Infrastructure (FS&I) with an elevated vulnerability to risk over time, particularly in the event of adverse business or economic conditions.
Ashtabula, OH, BDO Zone Overview
Feedstock quantities are expressed in bone dry tons per year (bdt/yr), while feedstock costs are expressed in USD ($). Maximum transport distance is based on a 75-mile driving distance from the center point (Ashtabula, OH).
BDO Zone Assets
- Regional miscanthus cultivation and harvesting experience.
- Majority of established miscanthus cropland located within 30 miles of Ashtabula.
- Absence of competitors for miscanthus in the Competition Zone.
- Well-developed infrastructure with rail spur, port access, and competitive electricity costs.
BDO Zone Liabilities
- New developer will need to negotiate leasing and contract terms with landowners.
- Aspects of miscanthus agronomy remain uncertain, including longevity and optimal fertilization regime.
- Additional harvesting equipment required.
- Subsidies may be required to establish additional cropland.
- Sustained year-to-year production of the rated quantity is unproven.
Infrastructure
- The JAB property, located on just over 80 acres of publicly owned land in Ashtabula, is a prime site for industrial development. This site has excellent transportation infrastructure, sitting within 4 miles of I-90, 1.5 miles of the Ashtabula deep water port, and with an existing rail spur on site. Industrial utilities are available including heavy power, high pressure natural gas, 5 million gallons of excess capacity water, and a water treatment plan within 3000 feet of the site. If required, the Ashtabula County Port Authority can provide up to 70 million GPD raw water at various psi directly to the site. Situated within a 1.5 hour drive of Cleveland, Pittsburgh, and Buffalo, this site provides close proximity to multiple metro areas for an industrial development.
- 48 Available acres located at the intersection of Route 531 and Route 11. Lots sizes range from 1 acre to 20 acres and can be combined to accommodate needs of business. Less than a half mile from a deep water port on Lake Erie: 6 miles north of I-90/Route 11, 62 miles northeast of Cleveland, 85 miles northeast of Akron, 60 miles north of Youngstown, 51 miles west of Erie, PA and 126 miles northwest of Pittsburgh, PA.
- Sale price is $25,000 (or less depending on job creation) per acre and can be sold per parcel.
- All utilities are present and site is ready for development. Incentives and abatements may be issued to buyers on a case by case basis. There are nine adjoining parcels. Easy access right off of SR 11. Fully improved and shovel ready. Design build opportunities may exist for qualified companies and businesses.
- The Nelson Industrial Park site, located halfway between Cleveland, OH and Erie, PA, it is approximately 94 acres that can be subdivided as needed and is owned by a single owner. All roads, sewers, water and electric utilities are in place. The gas line is approximately 1,000 feet away. This site is well suited for a light industrial development and has excellent transportation infrastructure, sitting just off I-90, and within 12 miles of the Ashtabula deep water port. The site is located in an enterprise zone and would be eligible for tax incentives through the county.
- For the portion of site located in Saybrook Township, Commercial zoning would include warehousing. To otherwise change zoning would take @ +/- 120 days. For the portion of site located in Austinburg Township, rezoned to IOP/Commercial in 2020.
Local Grants and Incentives
Offers discretionary grants for projects by companies engaged in JobsOhio’s targeted industries and business functions (e.g., advanced manufacturing, financial services, technology, agribusiness, advanced mobility, military & federal). Requires jobs creation.
Research & Development Investment Loan Fund:Loans between $500K–$5M for R&D projects, plus a nonrefundable commercial activity tax credit for principal and interest up to $150K annually.
166 Direct Loan:Low-interest loans (up to 40% of project costs, capped at $1.5M) for acquisition, construction, renovation, or equipment.
Ohio Enterprise Bond Fund:Revenue bond financing up to $10M, fixed-rate, long-term (7–10 years for equipment; 15–20 years for real estate).
JobsOhio R&D Center Grant:Supports development and commercialization projects; applicants must invest at least $3M and create at least 5 jobs.
JobsOhio Revitalization Program:Loans/grants for redevelopment projects; typically $500K–$5M covering 20–75% of eligible costs; requires job creation.
JobsOhio Workforce Grant:Covers employee development and training, reimburses up to 50%, or 75% in targeted areas.
Refundable, performance-based credit tied to payroll, requires creation of at least 10 jobs, $660K annual payroll, and 150% federal minimum wage. Megaprojects may extend terms to 30 years.
Research & Development Investment Tax Credit:7% credit on qualified R&D expenses above average for the past three years; refundable and carries forward up to 7 years.
Local-level real and personal property tax exemptions, negotiated case-by-case, terms up to 100% for up to 30 years. Local approval required.
Community Reinvestment Areas (CRA):Local real property tax exemptions for new construction or renovation; terms up to 100% for up to 30 years. Local approval required.
Tax Increment Financing (TIF):Municipalities/counties may create TIF districts or do project-specific TIFs, capturing increased property tax revenue to fund infrastructure improvements. Local approval required.
Port Authority Financing (e.g., Ashtabula County Port Authority):Offers off-balance-sheet leasing (capital lease) that can eliminate sales tax on taxable building materials for construction projects.
Offers small business loans for fixed asset investments (land, buildings, M&E) capped at about $250K. Projects must retain and/or create new jobs in Ashtabula County.
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