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Local News

Wednesday, December 09, 2009

Rail center headed to Hardin Co.
Diamond Mine Direct
By LOU WILIN

STAFF WRITER

DUNKIRK -- A $4.9 million transportation hub for parts used in wind turbines will be built near Dunkirk in 2010, Hardin County government and economic development leaders said Tuesday.

The state is extending a $3.7 million loan to Hardin County and American Rail Center, based in Walbridge, to finance construction of the rail logistics center.

It will employ up to 25, Hardin County officials said.

The Hardin County Rail Logistics Center will be located about a mile west of Dunkirk along two miles of the Chicago, Fort Wayne and Eastern Railroad.

Hardin County will soon buy 265 acres along the railroad tracks with the loan money, said John Hohn, vice president of economic development for Hardin County Chamber & Business Alliance. Once American Rail Center employs 25 people and meets other state requirements, it will be deeded the property, said Tim Mayle, Hardin County Geographic Information Systems coordinator/renewable energy liaison.

Attempts to contact American Rail Center President James Jacobs on Tuesday were unsuccessful.

Wind turbine parts will be brought to the center by rail beginning in the July-September quarter. The turbines are used to generate electricity.

Windmill blades are 160 to 200 feet long. The 300-foot steel towers are transported in 100-foot sections. Their bases are 14 feet wide. The generators and their containers weigh 70 tons.

The parts will be kept at a 15-acre secured yard at the center until they are hauled by truck to wind farms, Mayle said.

People will work at the logistics center as rail and forklift operators, truck drivers, security and administrators, he said.

Hardin County leaders are hoping the logistics center's role will expand to become a transportation hub for materials used in manufacturing.

They also hope it will lead to additional growth.

"Dunkirk will change in the next 10 or 12 years," Hardin County Commissioner Jerry Cross said. "We do not know where this is going to go."

American Rail Center hopes to have a warehouse at the Hardin County center and eventually a manufacturer, Mayle said.

At the very least, American Rail Center is betting the logistics center will do well as a transportation hub for wind turbine parts.

Parts will arrive from all directions in the United States and overseas, Mayle said. The parts then will be hauled to destinations in all directions. But some will not have far to go.

Hardin County could have two wind farms by 2011, Mayle said. Wind farms are being planned near the logistics center and west of Kenton, he said. Those wind turbines will be about 500 feet tall when assembled.

Wind farms also are being planned in Champaign County and along the border of Richland and Crawford counties, Mayle said.

Wilin: 419-427-8413,

Send an e-mail to Lou Wilin


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1 Comment

Jon Adams wrote:
Wind is real; electricity is real: the jobs are real
“ And the money stays in Ohio. ”
Wednesday, December 09, 2009 9:24:34 AM
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Benton Ridge Shooting

This video, released by the Hancock County Prosecutor's Office, shows the shooting of a Lima man who led authorities on a three-county chase ending Aug.24 in Benton Ridge. Be cautioned, the video contains graphic content.
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News Briefs Firefighters discover 20 marijuana plants in house
After fighting a house fire early Monday at 815 Howard St., firefighters found 20 marijuana plants in the residence.

"They ran across it and called us," said police Sgt. Justin Hendren with the Hancock County METRICH Drug Enforcement Unit.

Police seized all 20 plants, and Hendren said charges are pending.

High-powered growing lights, fans, and a box filled with dried marijuana were also found in the house, according to a police report.

Investigators said an electrical short started the fire before 3 a.m. Monday.

The blaze caused an estimated $12,000 in damage to the residence, owned by Amanda Crawford. No one was injured, according to the Findlay Fire Department.

Carey announces holiday closing
CAREY -- Carey offices, including administrative, income tax and utilities, electric, wastewater treatment plant, and public works, will be closed Monday in observance of Labor Day.

The curbside recycling program will be held Tuesday through Thursday, Sept. 7-9.

Findlay trooper named sergeant
Trooper Jacob L. Fletcher, assigned to the Findlay post of the State Highway Patrol, was promoted to sergeant Wednesday by Patrol Superintendent Col. David Dicken.

With the promotion, Fletcher will stay at the Findlay post and serve as an assistant post commander, according to the patrol.

Fletcher began his patrol career in 2002 after graduating from the 139th Academy class and has been assigned to the Findlay post since.

Owens announces holiday schedule
The Toledo and Findlay campuses of Owens Community College will be closed Saturday through Monday for the Labor Day holiday.

There will be no classes and the college offices will be closed.

Classes will resume and offices will open again on Tuesday.

Holiday changes ad deadlines
The Courier won't be published on Monday, in observance of the Labor Day holiday.

Because of the holiday, some advertising deadlines have been moved up this week:

Black and white display advertising for Tuesday's newspaper must be placed by noon Friday. Display advertising for Wednesday's newspaper must be placed by 2:30 p.m. Friday.

Color display advertising for the Thursday, Sept. 9 newspaper must be placed by Friday.

Classified advertising and City and Country advertising for Saturday's newspaper must be placed by 2 p.m. Friday. Classified ads for Tuesday's newspaper must be placed by 2:30 p.m. Friday.

Courier business and advertising offices will close at 3 p.m. Friday for the holiday.