New Business Facility Coming Downtown

Keep your eyes open for a new business facility in downtown Ellwood City.

Keith Venezie, CEO of the Eric Ryan Corporation and Eric Venezie, CEO of Thought Process Enterprises are pleased to announce they have purchased the former ESB Training Center at the corner of Lawrence Avenue and 7th Street and adjacent vacant property.

The Venezies plan to use the property to expand their current businesses and provide new space to consider future endeavors.

This purchase will not only spruce up main street by adding a new and modern facility, it will also create 15 to 20 new jobs for area residents.

“As an Ellwood City based family of companies, we have always prided ourselves on trying to better the community in which we live and work. It is important to me to see our town flourish with business and activity,” said Keith Venezie, CEO Eric Ryan Corporation. “We felt it was a great opportunity for the city and us.”

Keith and Eric plan to tear down the current building that stands at the location to build a modern, state-of-the-art facility. Demolition will be completed thanks to a grant that aims to end blight in the community. The funding for the project was approved by the Redevelopment Authority of Lawrence County (RALC). The board of the authority voted to approve the grant.

“The Redevelopment Authority of Lawrence County is pleased to participate with Thought Process Enterprises and the Eric Ryan Corporation (ERC) in a ‘public-private partnership’ development opportunity to continue to strengthen the economic vitality of downtown Ellwood City.  ERC’s vision coincides with one of the Redevelopment Authority’s basic goals:  provide opportunities to grow and strengthen the communities of Lawrence County.  The proposed project will continue the ongoing revitalization of Ellwood City’s ‘main street’.” Jim Gagliano, Lawrence County administrator.

The Venezies are not new to developing businesses or expanding current opportunities. They began a similar endeavor after purchasing the Emporium at 512 Lawrence Avenue and opening Venezie’s Sporting Goods creating 15 jobs.

The current plan for the new facility will be to use some of the space for offices to bring the Thought Process Enterprises’ commercial printing and sign divisions under one roof while allowing for growth. It will also be extra space for Eric Ryan Corporation staff and operations. There is also a plan to bring other businesses purchased by the Venezies into the downtown area.

“We are excited to use this opportunity build a facility that will not only improve our current workflow and production, but aid in our valued business and retail customers experience as we service their design, print, and marketing needs,” said Eric Venezie regarding the new building opportunity.

This will be the first new construction in the downtown area in more than 10 years.

The Venezies are also hoping that this new construction will help bring new life into the downtown area and inspire revitalization and growth from other businesses.

“Having a successful business in the heart of the business district for over 10 years, I feel committed to inspiring additional revitalization in the business community,” Eric concluded.

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