Although most towns in Lawrence County are clamoring for new businesses,

the citizens of Coal Grove would be happy to be rid of one.

For more than 25 years, the Carlyle Tile facility has been an eyesore in the village. Now, the residents are attempting to obtain $1,761,750 from a Clean Ohio Revitalization Grant to make the site like new again.

Ken Reindl, Senior Vice President of SRW Environmental Services, Inc., has been assisting Coal Grove in the project. He said that while it is too early to declare a winner of the funding, the village does seem to be leading the pack by its own assessment.

"I guess the village likes their chances, and we like our chances," Reindl said. "But obviously it's a competitive process, and there's a review. But just based on the score, this one meets the criteria."

The funding would not only be used to remove the buildings that are there. Some cleaning of the site would also have to be performed to remove chemicals such as asbestos, which are currently on the site.

"The main thing is just to get that old eyesore out of the way," said Coal Grove Mayor Larry McDaniel. "It's definitely going to be an improvement to the village."

Once the site is clear, a new business development may not be far behind. McGinnis Inc. is a company that provides marine and transportation services from five locations and owns and operates river barges, tugboats, and docks along the Ohio and Mississippi Rivers.

McGinnis Inc. has committed to using the site for industrial purposes and to provide intermodal freight services (rail, barge, trucking). Once developed, the McGinnis Inc. business plan will create more than 50 new jobs.

Their plans also include at least one industrial building with 50,000 square feet or more, plus office space, parking areas, and the construction of piers and docking facilities on the river.

There will be two meetings for the public to learn more about the project and timetable if the grant is awarded.

The first meeting will be part of the Coal Grove Council meeting at 6:30 p.m. Monday.

The second public meeting is at 11 a.m. on Aug. 11 at the Village office on Carlton-Davidson Road.

The next step will be Aug. 15 to Sept. 15 when the Public Works/Integrating Committee will meet to review applications. Coal Grove should know if their bid for funding is successful by December 14.

More information about the public meetings is available by contacting Village Clerk Debbie Fields at (740) 533-0102.