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New Opportunity

A FORMER Bellaire school building is getting a new lease on life. It is one that will prove beneficial to the village coffers as well as to the vibrancy of the southern portion of town.

First Ward School enjoyed a long and successful run in the Bellaire School District. But when the district went to a combined middle school and elementary school format years ago, it became an academic dinosaur.

First Ward as well others several other closed schools in Bellaire were auctioned off. They were bought at a price much below market value.

Upon purchase, the school was used for several different ventures, none of which grew substantial or lucrative roots.

That appears to be changing, however.

Plans are in the works to transform a former school into a profitable business. Jim Johnston, with Electronic Recycling Services, has unveiled a plan to put a disassembly line for the recycling of electronic equipment at the First Ward site.

If, and when, it becomes reality, the new business gives South Bellaire a nice shot-in-the-arm, one needed since the closing of both the school and Riviera Bowling Lanes, along with new Ohio 7, stripped much of the vibrancy from that section of the All-American Town.

The project will bring one of only three ERS Disassembly Lines in the country to the village, the others being in Georgia and California. The million dollar project will create about 17 jobs or more and will be hiring local people.

A metal building will be added to the old school where six truck docks will be added to unload the materials. The business will contract with other business that will ship old electronics to the site.

The 17 new jobs will bring much-need tax dollars to the Bellaire economy. The recycling project offers the promise of even more jobs eventually being created.

Moreover, it may serve as a new frontier for creating a healthier business environment in Bellaire. The industrial park in Bellaire’s north end is doing bustling business while the 26th Street Commerce Park is full, thanks to a large part from the efforts of the Belmont County Port Authority.

We hope Electronic Recycling Services serves as a catalyst for additional business activity coming to life in Bellaire. We would also like to see another former school building — that being West Bellaire — be a target of enterprising business people, as it offers an ideal venue.

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