This article and
photo ran in Business Venture Magazine, 1997
The story would make a fitting sequel
to Field Of Dreams. In 1970, Jim McNerney bought the Schnell family farm
in Northwood, Ohio. He envisioned developing the 23-acre plot into an industrial
complex, a commercial community. He built it, and they came. And they are
still coming. With more than 25 tenants (including such firms as Lyden Oil
Co., Malcolm Meats, Envelope Mart and Camp & Teal), the Wales Road Industrial
Community (WRIC) is one of the area's fastest growing industrial parks,
and a best-kept secret that really isn't a secret anymore. The firms employ
approximately 800 people, with a $26 million payroll. The companies are
evenly spread among technology (T.L. Industries, Photonics, Jones & Henry
Labs), distribution (SAF TI Glass. Buckeye Food. Keystone). sales/ service
and manufacturing categories (Fauver, Dover Elevator, Towlift, Lake Erie
Electric, Gutek Pipe and Supply). John McNerney, president of McNerney and
Son. Inc., general contractors and builders, attributes the WRIC success
to careful planning, convenient location and the cooperation between local
government and development agencies. "We offer assistance that goes beyond
showing a plot of land," he said. "We work with prospects to develop a concept
and a realistic budget. We estimate a realistic price, and translate their
needs into a building design with a not-to-exceed price which includes all
phases of the project. This eliminates extras and keeps costs within budget."
The WRIC has access to an extensive highway system, including Interstate
75, the Ohio Turnpike. and Interstate 280. It is 20 minutes from Toledo
Express Airport and has access to the Port of Toledo and rail lines. "Our
location in the Toledo area is excellent for Industry, and the cooperation
we've received from the City of Northwood has been a factor in our success
and the success of our occupants." McNerney said. With more than 100 acres
and room for new occupants to grow, Jim McNerney's original vision has yet
to be fully realized. But one can get a sense of its future, by looking
at the downtown Toledo skyline from a fittingly-named street: McNerney Drive.
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