Top Property Holdings Breaks Ground on New Speculative Building in Youngstown with JobsOhio Support

YOUNGSTOWN, Ohio - Top Property Holdings marked the start of construction on the Youngstown Technology Park, a new speculative building development in Youngstown with a formal groundbreaking ceremony Tuesday, advancing a $4,775,000 investment that adds move-in-ready industrial space to the region's site inventory. Company owner Greg Toporcer joined state, county and city leaders at the site to mark the milestone.

JobsOhio is supporting the project with $2,387,000 in grant and loan funding through its Ohio Site Inventory Program (OSIP), secured with the advocacy of Lake to River Economic Development, the JobsOhio network partner for Ashtabula, Trumbull, Mahoning and Columbiana counties. The assistance helped move the two-phased project from concept to groundbreaking for the first 50,400 square-foot class-A industrial building with 32-foot ceilings, and strengthens the case for site selectors evaluating the Mahoning Valley.

Speculative construction remains one of the sharpest constraints facing communities competing for large manufacturing and logistics projects. Top Property's decision to build without a committed tenant positions Youngstown with a high-quality, ready-to-occupy option for companies working on compressed timelines.

We have watched opportunities pass over the Mahoning Valley because we did not have space ready to show a prospect," said Greg Toporcer, owner of Top Property, who developed a similar project in North Jackson that was fully leased last year. "This building plan changes that equation. We are committed to this market because the demand behind it is real.

Speed wins deals. When a company is ready to move, the community with a building ready to go gets the call," said JobsOhio President and CEO J.P. Nauseef. "Thanks to our partners at Lake to River and Top Property, Youngstown will have a Class A building ready for the next major manufacturing or logistics project, and the jobs that come with it.

Private investment like this is what allows a community to grow on its own terms," said Dani Robbins, Lake to River CEO. "Greg Toporcer is exactly the kind of visionary this region needs, someone willing to commit capital ahead of demand because he can see what we are capable of becoming.

The project also drew support from business leaders and elected officials, including the City of Youngstown, which sold the property to Toporcer and invested in an extension of utility services to it.

Several years ago, the Regional Chamber and our partners recognized that the lack of modern, Class A speculative space was costing the Mahoning Valley economic development opportunities. Greg Toporcer and Top Property Holdings stepped up to help fill that gap. Their first speculative building in North Jackson is now home to Shapes Unlimited, and today they are making that commitment again in Youngstown. We also thank the City of Youngstown, JobsOhio and Lake to River for helping make this project possible. Having modern industrial space ready to go gives the Valley a better chance to compete for new investment and jobs," said Guy Coviello, President & CEO of the Youngstown/Warren Regional Chamber.

This investment puts vacant industrial land in Youngstown back to work," said Youngstown Mayor Derrick McDowell. "Every dollar Top Property commits to this site strengthens our tax base and makes the case to the next employer considering the city.

Projects like this one add capacity across all of Mahoning County, not just the city of Youngstown, and they're knocking the rust off the 'Rust Belt,'" said Geno DiFabio, Mahoning County Commissioner. "This kind of countywide growth is what keeps our economy growing and competitive.

I hear from constituents who want good jobs close to home, and this is how we deliver them," said Rep. Lauren McNally (D-58). "Congratulations to Top Properties on this groundbreaking.

This kind of investment is critical to creating continued growth and opportunity in our region," said Sen. Al Cutrona (R-33).

About Lake to River

Lake to River is the JobsOhio network partner for Ashtabula, Trumbull, Mahoning and Columbiana counties, working to accelerate business growth and job creation through site development, business attraction, and workforce initiatives. For more information, visit laketoriverohio.org.