AEP announces Eagle Rock Business Park is awarded certification for Eagle Rock site TIFFIN, OHIO – April 15, 2016 – American Electric Power (AEP) announced last night at the Seneca Industrial and Economic Development Corporation (SIEDC) annual meeting that the Eagle Rock Industrial Park is the fourth site in northwest Ohio to receive the Shovel Ready Certified Site designation by Austin Consulting for food processing and general manufacturing. The Austin Consulting “Shovel Ready” Site Designation Award for the Food and Beverage Industry is designated after Austin Consulting evaluates over 200 critical variables that can significantly decrease the amount of time, expense, and risk during the site selection process. The designation is valid for three years, as long as no alterations are made to the property. The certified site is 38 acres in size and in the Eagle Rock Industrial Park just north of Tiffin Insulators at the corner of Maule and Tyber Roads.  It is zoned heavy industrial, has an electric substation close by, and has access to large water and sewer capacities, important for food processing as well as general manufacturing. AEP Ohio’s Manager of Economic and Business Development Tim Wells was pleased to make the announcement. “AEP is pleased to help local economic development organizations develop capacity, and this program will help make Tiffin more competitive. They are now one of only four such sites in northwest Ohio.” Tiffin Mayor Aaron Montz applauded the achievement: “This brings us one step closer to filling the Eagle Rock Industrial park to capacity. Not many cities have a site with this level of certification; it gives us an advantage in attracting a new facility.” Seneca County Commission President Holly Stacy agreed, “We’re one of only five counties in northwest Ohio to have an industrial site with this designation, and we are excited to position ourselves for continued industrial growth.” About AEP AEP is one of the largest electric utilities in the U.S., serving nearly 5.4 million customers in 11 states. It owns the largest electricity transmission network in the nation (40,000+ miles) and has more 765-kilovolt extra-high voltage transmission lines than all other U.S. transmission systems combined. In Ohio, AEP serves nearly 1.5 million customers and provides power to more than 920 communities. AEP’s Economic Development arm facilitates projects and supports community efforts through a variety of initiatives. About The Austin Company Founded and headquartered in Cleveland, Ohio, in 1878, the Austin Company provides design-build and location consulting services for commercial and industrial operations. They offer a comprehensive portfolio of in-house services, including architectural design, engineering, design-build, construction management, operations improvement and consulting. Austin also offers value-added strategic planning services, such as site location, transportation and distribution consulting, and facility and process audits. Additional offices are located in Irvine, California; Atlanta, Georgia; Portage, Michigan; and St. Louis, Missouri; in addition to a joint venture company in Mexico. Learn more at www.theaustinconsulting.com. About SIEDC Started in 1983, the Seneca Industrial and Economic Development Corp. (SIEDC) is a private, non-profit corporation dedicated to driving positive economic, downtown, and community development in Tiffin and Seneca County, Ohio, which consistently ranks among the top communities nationally for economic development. Learn more about the great things going on at the company’s blog at www.senecasuccess.com.