Zoning staff told the Norwalk City Council on April 15 that North Precast Molds has broken ground on an approximately 70,000‑square‑foot addition that will accommodate additional production and warehousing, but that the project faces natural gas distribution and upstream supply constraints.

The zoning officer read points provided by Sarah Ross of the Huron County Growth Partnership noting the addition will allow expanded production of a patented wastewater treatment system and that combined employment at the Norwalk site and a nearby Norweco facility is about 90 full‑time positions. The report said initial plans to serve the expansion with simple distribution upgrades shifted after discussions with Columbia Gas and TC Energy when the city discovered both distribution and upstream supply limitations.

“The expansion will allow for additional warehousing with intentions to house additional production of their patented wastewater treatment system,” the zoning officer read. “To eventually realize production and future phases of this growth, a public improvement natural gas infrastructure will be required.”

City staff said the administration, Huron County Growth Partnership, Team NEO and JobsOhio are coordinating due diligence and potential solutions. The zoning officer told council that once further analysis is complete, the administration will propose a public‑improvement approach later this year.

Why it matters: The expansion promises local job growth and industrial investment but cannot proceed to full production without addressing gas capacity. The problem affects future industrial, commercial and residential development, the officer said.

Council response: The zoning officer directed council members to contact Huron County Growth Partnership with questions and said the administration will return with a public‑improvement proposal after completing due diligence with the gas suppliers and regional economic partners.