Swearingen Announces Northwest Ohio Manufacturer Bringing Investments, Jobs to Ottawa County

Today, State Rep. D.J. Swearingen (R-Huron) announces that JobsOhio and Lewco, Inc. are teaming up to invest millions and create over one-hundred new job positions to Ottawa County. Lewco, Inc. is a northwest Ohio manufacturing company that will take over a portion of a historical facility in the Lake Erie Business Park in coordination with JobsOhio.

“Even during this pandemic, it’s promising to see that Ottawa County remains competitive in manufacturing and expanding on businesses in order to bring new jobs to this region of the state,” said Swearingen. “I’m thankful to Lewco, Inc. and JobsOhio for their investments within our community.”

Lewco is a manufacturer of industrial ovens and unit handling conveyors, with the announcement of the expansion on the new facility, the company will be investing nearly $12 million and create 163 new positions in order to help with its growth stemming from e-commerce.

JobsOhio is supporting the project by offering grants that will assist with offsetting the renovation of the historic building and providing for new equipment. Additionally, Lewco was approved for a Job Creation Tax Credit from the Ohio Tax Credit Authority.

Lewco was originally founded in Sandusky as the Ohio Welding Company back in 1917. The company now employs over 160 people with the latest announcement increasing on those employment numbers.

In total, for the third quarter, manufacturing throughout northwest Ohio has led to businesses investing nearly $84 million and creating almost 900 jobs across the region.