PERRYSBURG, OH (Toledo News Now) – Dozens of new high-paying jobs and research facilities are coming to a company based in northwest Ohio, after funding from a state grant.
The grant will give $3 million in state money to Owens-Illinois, which is based in Perrysburg. The company makes glass jars and bottles for products, such as pasta sauce, beer and soda. Now the company is looking to expand, posing a major impact on the area's economy.
"Innovation helps fuel our economy," said OI Spokesperson Stephanie Johnston. "We're going to be investing in new facilities, new technology and new people."
Owens-Illinois is partnering with the state and the University of Toledo to do it. The grant money will not only fuel research, but add high-paying technology jobs. Johnston said the average salary could be around $75,000.
"Part of our investment in innovation and research and development is, we've been developing and creating new technology, so hiring new people with unique backgrounds and expertise," said Johnston.
Residents welcome the good news for their community.
"We need the higher-paying jobs around here. And more people moving in. Yeah, I think it's awesome for the economy," said Perrysburg resident Andrea Miller.
Representatives from Owens-Illinois said they are also confident it will be an added boost to the local economy.
"We're partnering with Churchill Market here to pilot some of our new innovative packaging concepts and we're going to pilot them exclusively here. You can't get this anywhere else right now," said Johnston.
The concept will hopefully bring business to local shops and overall growth to the area.
"We're here to stay. We want other people to come see, it's a great area," said Miller.
Reps said it is about more than just giving pride to residents.
"We're really thrilled to receive this recognition from the state that we're on the right track and we're moving not only our company, but the state forward," said Johnston.
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Owens-Illinois, based in Perrysburg, received a $3 million state grant for research and hiring technology employees.
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