HRG invests $3M in Findlay spec building

100,000 square foot building will be the first of three

A brand new 100,000 square foot speculative building is being constructed in Findlay at 2615 Crystal Avenue. Humble Robinson Group LLC (HRG), a partnership between Jerry Robinson and Humble Construction based in Bellefontaine, owns the property.

Van Horn, Hoover & Associates Inc., is the civil engineer and Humble Construction is the general contractor. The project began in the fall of 2017 and is aimed to be complete in May.

The development team was awarded a grant from JobsOhio for site cleanup and financing for construction.

Tim Mayle, director of Findlay-Hancock Economic Development (FHED), said, “Findlay has seen significant growth over the past several years. The amount of growth has limited the amount of manufacturing and warehousing space for existing companies as well as new companies. Currently, there is one building on the market in Findlay, which is the former American Tire Distribution building. The building is 400,000 square feet and is for sale at $40 per square foot. As companies have continued to expand their manufacturing capacity, they are looking to move warehousing off of the production floor and into offsite warehousing. This spec building will provide an option for existing Findlay companies to grow and for Findlay-Hancock County Economic Development to attract new companies.”

According to Mayle, Findlay’s limited building space, strong economy, and strategic location were the main drivers for this building. The site is located between I-75 and Tall Timbers Industrial Park, providing great logistics for potential tenants nearby.

He also noted that there was room on the property for two additional 100,000 square foot buildings and that this is only the first 100,000 square foot speculative building planned.

“Findlay is positioned well to attract automotive suppliers, especially related to autonomous driving and light weighting. This building will allow our manufacturing base to grow, and more importantly, I believe this will show investors that Findlay is a market that can support spec buildings,” said Mayle.

Although the building will be complete in May, a tenant has not yet been found.

“You know, you never know with spec buildings, but based on the activity in Findlay right now, I would expect to have a tenant in 2018.”

Humble Robinson is prepared to invest and build a second building once the new one is occupied, Mayle noted.