WARREN, Ohio (From news reports) -- The Ohio Controlling Board is scheduled to consider a request Monday from the Ohio Department of Development to release $17,241,380 for a major development project in the Warren area, the same area where Kimberly-Clark Corp. purchased land in 2023.

According to the board's public agenda, the funds from the All Ohio Future Fund would go to the Western Reserve Port Authority to assist with site preparation, construction of regional transportation improvements, and remediation of brownfield environmental conditions across more than 1,000 acres in Warren, Howland Township, and Weathersfield Township in Trumbull County.

The project aims to enhance infrastructure to attract business growth and create jobs.

The All-Ohio Future Fund was established in the 2024-2025 state budget to invest in site readiness for economic development.

The potential state funding aligns with ongoing developments at the Warren site, where Kimberly-Clark, the maker of household products like Kleenex and Huggies, acquired 559 acres of a former steel property on Pine Avenue in 2023.

Warren Mayor Doug Franklin said in March that progress at the Kimberly-Clark site is expected to pick up in the coming months. He noted the city is in regular contact with company representatives and Howland Township officials regarding infrastructure needs and the formation of a Joint Economic Development District (JEDD) to encourage economic growth.

Franklin also mentioned the city has implemented a construction project to mitigate flooding concerns along Pine Avenue, which he believes will benefit the Kimberly-Clark project.