Goodwill expanding Bellevue manufacturing facility

BELLEVUE — Goodwill is expanding its warehouse and dockage space at its Bellevue manufacturing plant.Goodwill Industries of Erie, Huron, Ottawa and Sandusky counties opened its Bellevue location, at the former site of the Pamida building, after the owners, the Lichtcsien family, donated the property to the nonprofit.The donation of the land, which was valued at $600,000, was one of the largest single donations the Goodwill Industries for the area has ever received. A full remodel was done at the building including lighting, electric, suppression system, HVAC, pluming, interior, exterior and IT systems.Goodwill's mission is to provide employment to people in the community with disabling or disadvantaging conditions. That's normally done through its thrift shops. But the Bellevue location completes light assembly and piecework for area business to raise revenue.It has been doing manufacturing work for more than 20 years and has operations in Sandusky and Fremont as well as Bellevue.Manufacturing jobs were secured, employees were hired and the Goodwill Bellevue manufacturing facility officially opened its doors in 2017. It employs about 50 people and the new expansion will add 10 more jobs.Since opening, the plant has completed work for Whirlpool, Ventra, Unican, Ludlow and Berry Plastics. The industry is bidding on more work from its current clients and new ones as well, said Stephen Davey the president Goodwill Industries for the region.The expanded warehouse space and additional dockage area are needed to produce increased assemblage items and allow for additional truck shipments, according to a Goodwill news release."This project not only establishes a renewed commitment to the community of Bellevue but allows Goodwill to stay committed to their mission of creating jobs in the local area," Davey said. "From the additional truck drivers and material handlers to the new assembly line positions that will be available, Goodwill is proud to be a job creator."Reach reporter Michael Harrington at michaelharrington@sanduskyregister.com, follow the Register at Facebook.com/SanduskyRegisterAn employee works at Goodwill Manufacturing Facility.