More than 20 new jobs may be on the horizon based on two business developments announced at Thursday’s Ironton City Council meeting.

Mayor Rich Blankenship asked city council to approve applications for Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) funds for an expansion at the Close To Home on Vernon Street assisted living facility and the proposed construction of a Fruth Pharmacy that would be built on State Route 141 across from the soon-to-be-opened St. Mary’s Medical Center.

The pharmacy would employ 21 full-time and part-time people

The Lawrence Economic Development Corp. (LEDC), would develop and finance the $2.1 million project for Fruth through a 10-year lease/purchase agreement. The $151,000 requested will pay for street and sidewalk improvement and street lighting in front of the drug store.

The Fruth project calls for the construction of a 10,000 square-feet pharmacy/retail building to be constructed on two acres of land currently owned by LEDC.

Fruth executive assistant Sandy Keefer said the project is “is contingent on the bidding process and being able to bring it in at an amount they can lease it to us.”

Keefer said she is excited about the prospect of coming to Ironton.

The city is also applying a CDBG grant to help Close To Home assisted living to pay for an expansion and renovation of its Eighth and Vernon streets facility.

When completed, that facility will have 25 assisted living units. Close To Home Owner Sharon Hartwig was not available for comment.