BRUNSWICK, Ohio — As Ohio started the cautious re-opening of its “non-essential” retail companies this month, Brunswick Neighborhood and Financial Improvement Director Grant Aungst stated the town’s core strengths stay.

“Whereas the financial face of Brunswick modifications, and there might be struggles, we have to get again to work, safely,” Aungst stated on the metropolis’s Could 19 financial growth committee assembly.

As a nexus of interstate freeway entry; profitable colleges; and a robust industrial and medical base, together with various retail and restaurant choices, Aungst stated that Brunswick was already wanted by quite a few enterprise pursuits. That has continued he stated, even through the COVID-19 shutdown.

“There are a selection of (new or relocating) companies exhibiting curiosity in Brunswick,” Aungst stated.

He additionally pointed to the opening of Romeo’s Pizza, a brand new Drees Houses growth, a deliberate enlargement at Rainforest Automotive Wash, scheduled Ohio Division of Transportation street enhancements on South Industrial Parkway, and the continued building of the brand new Brunswick Center Faculty constructing as indicators of the general well being of the town’s enterprise sector.

“The Brunswick Center Faculty challenge is slightly behind (because of points) associated to COVID-19, however they plan to have half, if not all, of the constructing carried out this 12 months,” Aungst stated. “They plan to have a minimum of the sixth-grade and customary areas open and proceed to (replace) on a weekly foundation.”

Aungst stated that his division is, likewise, speaking with native and regional companies recurrently, assessing their wants because the state continues its efforts to “reopen” after COVID-19. He additionally burdened the significance of purchasing regionally and regionally throughout these instances.

Chick-fil-A

Councilman Nick Hanek requested Aungst in regards to the progress of the Chick-fil-A restaurant on Middle Street, declaring that he has had plenty of inquiries from residents questioning if building there has stopped.

“As of proper now, nothing has modified, though there was a delay of about one or one-and-a-half months,” Aungst stated. “They’ve been up entrance about it and it is because of COVID-19.”

Aungst stated the truth that the concrete pad has been laid signifies that Chick-fil-A has no plans of abandoning the challenge.

“The pad is able to go and they might not have constructed that if they didn’t intend to (proceed),” he stated, including that the corporate has additionally agreed to make plenty of enhancements to the intersection of Middle Street and Brunswick Lake Parkway.

“They’re making a really wholesome funding in our group,” Aungst stated.

Learn extra information from the Brunswick Sun.