by Jeff Saunders

Reporter

Macedonia -- For the third time in the last few months, the city is losing at least at least 40 jobs due to the departure of an industrial business.

PolyOne, a manufacturer of polymers, resins and plastic compounds, is closing down its Highland Road plant, said David Honeycutt, a spokesperson for the Avon Lake-based company.

Honeycutt said the closure is part of a consolidation of the company, which has numerous facilities in North and South America, Europe and Asia.

"We're basically looking at all our facilities and at future demand," he said July 31.

He added that a date for closing the plant has not been set, but is expected within nine months.

Honeycutt said the plant, which, according to Summit County property tax records is about 100,000 square feet, employs about 40. City Finance Director Steve Brunot said the city is expected to lose roughly $50,000 in employee withholding taxes.

Honeycutt said that worldwide, a total of 150 company jobs are expected to be cut, with another moving to other facilities.

PolyOne officials said they did not know the building's future after the business leaves.

Mayor Don Kuchta said that while he is not happy with the news, he understands that businesses come and go.

"It's just up and down," he said. "It's a never-ending seesaw."

Brunot said the city's total income tax revenues are projected this year at about $7.1 million.

"They're one of our smaller top 25 employers, so it is something we are concerned about," he said. "But one of the things that we're fortunate about in Macedonia is that we're not dependent on any one employer."

"This is big, but it's not life threatening," he added.

The city received a double blow in April, when it learned that Excello Engineered Systems on Bavaria Road was going out of business and then in May, it was announced that Norandex on South Bedford Road was moving to Hudson. Together, the losses cost the city about 230 jobs and roughly $200,000 in income tax revenues, officials said.

Kuchta said he is working to find new tenants for the two buildings, and he is inviting all city business representatives to meet with him at City Center Sept. 24 to raise any concerns or issues.

"I want them to tell me they need help before they leave," he said. "Tell me that they received a better deal somewhere else."

E-mail: jsaunders@recordpub.com

Phone: 330-688-0088 ext. 3169