Trumbull County commissioners gave the go-ahead Wednesday for roughly 62 acres to be annexed from Howland and Weathersfield townships into Niles, clearing a procedural hurdle for a planned housing development.
The parcel, located off Stillwagon Road, is owned by JRD Holdings, which intends to build housing there. Jason Altobelli, the company's managing partner, said the region has been underserved on housing for some time and that adding options suited to current demand could help retain residents while drawing new ones.
Niles Mayor Steven Mientkiewicz acknowledged that annexation can be challenging but described the arrangement as mutually beneficial. Under the plan, the townships and the city would retain their tax revenue, and the city has funding in place to support the work without relying on taxpayer money.
Mientkiewicz said Niles recently received $1 million through the Ohio Department of Development's Red Grant, earmarked entirely for infrastructure tied to the project.
While the annexation removes one obstacle, additional steps remain before construction can begin. Commissioner Tony Bernard pointed to incoming employers such as Kimberly Clark and Amazon, along with other small businesses, as reasons the county needs affordable housing, adding that such development could help keep younger residents in the area.
The city says the annexation, combined with the state grant, sets up the project's next phase.