A new spec building aims to boost jobs creation and attract industrial growth in the area
By Maggie Huss
In Gallia County, a new 50,000 square-foot speculative building is breaking ground at the Dan Evans Industrial Park in spring 2026. Announced in March, the development is estimated to be completed by early 2027 on the 77-acre SiteOhio Authenticated site.
“The spec building at Dan Evans Industrial Park will be a vital driver of business expansion and job creation in Gallia County,” JobsOhio President and CEO J.P. Nauseef says. “Investing in the site alongside state and local partners empowers Southeast Ohio to further build on its manufacturing legacy, with new companies having the opportunities to quickly utilize an exceptional speculative building upon completion.”
The overall investment of over $6.1 million includes site preparation and the construction of the new building that will be expandable to 250,000 square feet. With support of a $2 million JobsOhio Grant through the Ohio Site Inventory Program (OSIP) and local support through Community Improvement Corporation (CIC) of Gallia County and more, the new building will be well-suited for manufacturing, warehousing and light industrial projects.
“By constructing this building, Gallia County will have a tremendous asset to attract additional industrial investment,” Patrick Saunders, resident of the Community Improvement Corporation of Gallia County, says. “The CIC is focused on the betterment of Gallia County through economic development and this building will be a powerful tool to accomplish that objective.”
This new project also received $1 million from the All Ohio Future Fund through the Ohio Department of Development to assist in financing site preparations, road extension and utilities.
“Ohio’s economic momentum isn’t happening by chance,” Lydia Mihalik, director of the Ohio Department of Development, says. “It’s the result of intentional investments in our people, our places and our undeniable potential. By building this spec site, our partners in Gallia County are positioning themselves for future growth. They’re not waiting for their opportunity – they’re taking it – and that’s exactly why we created the All Ohio Future Fund.”
The All Ohio Future Fund was established by the DeWine Administration in partnership with the Ohio General Assembly to support local communities with site-readiness and preparation to attract economic development projects, including this one. The Dan Evans Industrial Park is strategically located less than one mile from four-line US-35 highway and within a day’s drive of more than 60% of the U.S. population.
“The industrial park’s location will allow access to our region’s labor surplus and support continued growth in Gallia County,” Ohio Southeast Economic Development President and CEO Matt Abbott says. “We were pleased to work with the Gallia County Community Improvement Corporation and DEIP II to provide assistance for this spec building project.”
The Gallia County Commissioners supported the spec building development with a Community Reinvestment Area (CRA) tax abatement, which will aid in the development and marketing of the building.
“Bringing new, well-paying jobs to Gallia County is a top priority for the Commission and this project will help do just that,” says the Gallia County Commissioners in a joint statement. “We look forward to supporting the eventual tenant of the spec building as they invest in Gallia County.”