Norwalk breaks ground on gas upgrades backed by more than $12 million

Norwalk has broken ground on a natural gas delivery station and pipeline upgrades that local development officials say will expand capacity for manufacturers, with utilities investing more than $12 million.

Columbia Gas of Ohio and North Coast Gas Transmission are making the combined investment, according to the Huron County Growth Partnership's Nov. 4 announcement. The project is expected to enter service by mid-2027.

The new station near the Ernsthausen Recreation Center will take supply from North Coast's transmission line. About a mile of additional pipeline will carry that supply into a broader part of Columbia Gas' Norwalk system, the partnership says.

The announcement says the added capacity will support planned expansions at three manufacturers, with more than 100 new jobs projected and hundreds of existing jobs retained. It does not name those employers or report completed hiring.

The partnership also says the project will increase capacity for the 79-acre North Central Ohio Industrial Park on Furniture Parkway.

JobsOhio plans to provide assistance through its Energy Opportunity Initiative. The announcement says the amount will be disclosed after final agreements are executed.