HAMILTON TOWNSHIP - Rumpke Consolidated Companies Inc.'s plans for a solid waste transfer and recycling station took a big step forward - actually 300,000 steps - Wednesday as the financing puzzle continued to come together.

Lt. Gov. Bruce Johnson announced that Lawrence County will receive a $300,000 grant to assist Rumpke with an economic development project in Hamilton Township that will assist the waste and recycling company in creating 30 new jobs.

"We are pleased to assist Lawrence County as they plan improvements to benefit their communities," said Johnson, who also serves as Director of the Ohio Department of Development. "Ohio means business, and to that end we are committed to working with communities and businesses to better the lives of our citizens by attracting businesses and jobs."

Rumpke officials said Monday they are still waiting on final approval by the Ohio Environmental Protection Agency.

In the meantime, some work is progressing. The Lawrence County Port Authority will purchase 42 acres of land that is located on County Road 1 in Haverhill and construct a 38,000 square-foot building. Bids on the project will be received by Oct. 17 and are expected to be awarded by Oct. 24.

Rumpke of Ohio, will lease 13 acres of the land and the building and purchase machinery and equipment. The new facility will house the company’s regional sales, maintenance, recycling and transfer facility. The grant will be awarded through the Ohio Small Cities Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) Economic Development Program. The CDBG funds will be used to install 1,400 feet of street improvements.

Jonathan Kissell, corporate communications employee with Rumpke Consolidated Companies Inc., said the comapnay is still awaiting final state approval on the project that has grown in scope and cost.

If all goes well, the Cincinnati-based company hopes to build its new facility on 12 acres of land adjacent to Duke Energy, along County Road 1A, moving its operations from Ashland, Ky. Officials have said company has outgrown its facility in Ashland, because AK Steel and other surrounding businesses hedge it in, leaving no room to expand.

The proposed plan is to begin construction in the fall of 2005 and begin operation in summer 2006. Officials estimate the facility would process 25-30 tons of recyclables daily and 750 to 1,000 tons of solid waste each month.

Some residents have spoken out against the facility coming to the community, but company officials remain optimistic that the plan will move forward on time.