History

The Ohio Commerce Center complex was built in 1942 as a military storage depot. It saw extensive use during World War II when the buildings stored tanks, jeeps, uniforms, mess kits and other military supplies but not live ammunition. The U.S government sold the facility in 1967 to the Community Improvement Corporation of Warren.

In 1967, it was operated by The Space Center Family of Companies. In Space Center bought the facility in 1977 and changed its name to Meritex Enterprises in the late 1980s.

The facility has leased to a diverse client base, including van conversion companies, swimming pool manufacturers, packing and inspecting companies, public warehouses, pipe manufacturers, rubber extruders, customization of automobiles and railroad repair facilities, railroad trans loading facility and automobile storage.

In 2010, the complex was bought by Spirongo Lordstown LLC (LTEX), which is executing its plan that includes

• Repaving of roads and parking areas
• Upgrading of rail lines and addition of miles of new rail
• Building a new administrative office
• Developing low cost gas and electric utilities for tenants
  from on-site resources
• Developing abundant on-site water resources from two
  municipal sources – the City of Warren and Mahoning Valley
  Sanitary District
• New locomotive repair/refurbishment shops
• Development of vacant lands for rail-centric businesses
• Development/improvement of heavy haul transloading facilities
• Improved rail car storage facilities