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5/8/2015
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United Steelworkers, other prominent unions state opposition to two federal trade proposals — P. 4 Beachwood company is first beneficiary of Growth Opportunity Partners’ focus on job creation — P. 5
Opponents say Nexus pipeline’s benefits would be short-lived
A plan for growth
Detractors believe proposed project would result in more harm than good to economy
Groups push to get marijuana legalization on the ballot
By DAN SHINGLER dshingler@crain.com
The proposed Nexus pipeline that would carry natural gas from eastern Ohio to Canada has a planned route that pierces Northeast Ohio communities in Medina, Summit and Stark counties. But will it bring new economic opportunities, or decreased property values, on a 250-mile path upon which nothing can be built in the future? According to citizens and local governments watching it closely, the pipeline might bring both. But it’s the potential negative impacts that have some local officials opposed to the pipeline and fighting its approval. “We certainly are not going to benefit from the Nexus pipeline,” said Al Bollas, mayor of New Franklin, which is between Akron and Canton near the Portage Lakes region. Like others, Bollas has heard the claims by the pipeline’s developer, Houston-based Spectra Energy Corp., that the line would provide $42 million annually for local governments and schools. But that’s along the entire path of the line, including portions in Michigan. Besides, he doesn’t believe it for a minute. “It’s a bunch of bullshit,” Bollas said, adding that the jobs created by the project would only be short-term construction jobs, while the pipeline would require few if any local workers over the long term. What worries Bollas, and some other officials, is that once the pipeline is in, it will dominate the landscape in significant ways. Nothing can be built on top of it for example — or within 50 feet of it. Worse yet, say some, the land that it occupies can’t be regraded for future projects. No building, no digging, no smoothing out hills or valleys to create level ground. “Once they come in, you have to meet their grades. If they go three feet deep (as planned), you can’t move five
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See PIPELINE, page 25
jmiller@crain.com
LACK T POL SCOT
C
ary Senders looks forward to the day when marijuana cultivation and sale is legal in Ohio, and he’s hoping it will come soon after an Ohio constitutional amendment passes in November. That’s because he sees a business opportunity. Senders operates iGrow Induction Lighting and Sure To Grow with his brother, Eric, and another partner, Ari Seaman. The two young Beachwood-based businesses serve the indoor agriculture industry in states where marijuana is legal. “We hope to play a positive role if and when this happens” in Ohio, Senders said
in a telephone interview. “When the opportunity for marijuana production came to light here, it was exciting for us because we’ll get to use our skills locally.” The businesses sell equipment for the indoor cultivation of marijuana — primarily lighting and hydroponics — in states where cultivation is legal, usually for medicinal purposes. But if the Ohio constitutional amendment passes, Ohio will join Alaska, Colorado, Washington and, in July, Oregon, as the only states where marijuana can be grown and sold for recreational purposes. More than two dozen states allow for the use of marijuana or cannabidiol, an oil extracted from marijuana for therapeutic purposes.
To ensure a year-round supply, marijuana is nurtured in greenhouses, under tightly controlled conditions to produce quality products. So Senders sees growing opportunities. “We’ve just added to our skill set where we can help design entire operations,” he said. It’s likely that Ohioans will have an opportunity this fall to legalize medical and recreational use of marijuana. If voters approve, it will open up a multitude of business opportunities along the supply chain, from cultivating the plants to selling edible and smokable products to support businesses like Senders’. ResponsibleOhio, a political action See GROWTH, page 8
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ALSO INSIDE: NEWSPAPER
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By Jay Miller
SMALL BUSINESS Northeast Ohio’s top restaurants urge employees to be welcoming, remember names ■ Page 15 PLUS: SUSTAINABILITY ■ ADVISER ■ TAX TIPS ■ & MORE
Entire contents © 2015 by Crain Communications Inc. Vol. 36, No. 19