Block Communications, Inc. is pleased to announce that the company plans to establish a central campus for its growing telecommunications businesses at a Northwest Ohio site uniquely suited to accommodate that growth. A 150,000 square foot facility formerly occupied by a national consumer research firm in Northwood, Ohio has been selected as the best option for the consolidation of many Buckeye CableSystem and Telesystem operations. “A central campus will enable the companies to continue to grow and innovate to meet the needs of their residential and business customers,” said Allan Block, Chairman of Block Communications, Inc. “By bringing under one roof employees now spread out at over a dozen buildings we will bring efficiencies to our business and even better service to our customers”, said Mr. Block.
“We explored numerous possible approaches to consolidating our operations”, said W.H.(Chip) Carstensen, the recently retired President of Block Communications, Inc. who led the site-selection process “and this site was far and away our best option to serve our customers. We extend our gratitude to Toledo Mayor Paula Hicks-Hudson, Northwood Mayor Mark Stoner, and to the economic development teams of both cities for their cooperation and assistance during this process.” Toledo and Northwood have committed to forming a tax-sharing district at the site that will allow both communities to benefit from the consolidated operations and the growth of these leading technology companies.
“We are proud to bring technology jobs and new investment to a local facility that has been underutilized and to support regional cooperation that will enable the cities of Northwood and Toledo to share tax revenue and fund government services,” said Jeff Abbas, President and General Manager of Buckeye CableSystem.
The Block Communications family of companies has grown to become a national enterprise with operations in nine states: Ohio, Michigan, Pennsylvania, Indiana, Illinois, Kentucky, Idaho, Mississippi and Alabama. “Employees at our Northwest Ohio operations center will serve our business units and their customers across the country,” said John E. Martin, President of Telesystem and Line Systems. Toledo will remain home to the downtown headquarters of Block Communications, Inc. as well as its advanced network operations center and several service centers.
The companies plan a phased occupancy of their new campus. They are being assisted in the process by Scott Libbe and Rod Bowe of the property management and site selection firm Rudolph/Libbe Properties, architects Dan Tabor and Ray Micham from The Collaborative, Inc., and Marty Gallagher of the real estate firm Reichle Klein.
About Block Communications, Inc.
Block Communications, Inc. (BCI) is a 115-year-old privately-held diversified media holding company headquartered in Toledo, Ohio. BCI has primary operations in cable television, high-speed Internet, residential telephone services and commercial telecommunication services, newspaper publishing, and television broadcasting. Its business units provide services in Ohio, Michigan, Pennsylvania, Indiana, Illinois, Kentucky, Idaho, Mississippi and Alabama. BCI companies employ nearly 3,000 persons nationwide.
For further information contact: Keith Wilkowski | Office: 419-724-7276 | Mobile: 419-277-6006
