Ford Motor Company’s expansion of its Ohio Assembly Plant is progressing to the next phase, with interior work set to begin in early April. Announced in 2022, the $1.5 billion expansion project will introduce a new commercial electric vehicle line and double the workforce of the plant, located across Avon Lake, Sheffield, and Sheffield Lake.

Sheffield Village Mayor Bob Markovich shared that exterior construction should be completed by April 4. With the exterior nearly finished, the focus will now shift to the interior of the facility, which will involve the installation of the new vehicle production lines.

“We’re still on track,” Markovich said. “It’s 1,800 jobs. Everything’s still there, still the same — they haven’t changed anything.”

Ford spokesperson Lars Weborg also confirmed that there have been no updates to the original plans. The new production line of commercial electric vehicles is expected to begin operations by March 2026, with timelines and estimates provided by Ford in 2022 still holding steady.

The expansion is being managed by the Rudolph Libbe Group, a North Ridgeville-based contractor, and construction began in 2023. The work has primarily focused on the facility’s physical structure, including HVAC systems, electrical work, and plumbing, as it sits on the plant’s expansive 419-acre campus.

“At this point, it’s just a big empty white box, and then they’re going to do what they want to do with it,” said Avon Lake’s chief building official Tom Carleton.

While the building’s structure is taking shape, Ford is preparing to install the new production lines that will eventually churn out the electric vehicles. Markovich, at a recent Four Mayors’ Luncheon, emphasized the significance of the expansion and expressed his desire to capitalize on the opportunity.

“We need to figure out how to take this opportunity that’s laid at our doorstep and not ignore it,” Markovich said. “...To see what we can do in order to make this a generation of revenue for the entire region and the entire community.”

To help with this vision, Sheffield hired Mapped Out GIS Services, a Marietta-based firm, to develop a comprehensive development strategy for the region. Founder and president Dru Sexton said planning has just begun and that the village will likely involve residents through a survey to gather feedback.

“It’s not just the investment in Ford, but it’s also a unique opportunity,” Sexton said. “Ohio is a hotbed for lots of development… The mayor is cognizant of that, and he wants to take full advantage of that opportunity if we can.”

The expansion of Ford's Ohio Assembly Plant has generated excitement among local leaders, who see the opportunity not just as a job boost but as a chance to reshape the region’s economic future. With plans for creating an electric vehicle manufacturing hub, Ford's investment promises to solidify Ohio's position in the rapidly growing electric vehicle sector.

The collaboration between local officials and planning experts aims to maximize the economic impact of Ford’s presence. Community leaders are focusing on how the project can transform the area into a long-term source of revenue and growth, not just for the immediate neighborhood but for the entire region.

“We need to build a vision that aligns with Ford’s goals, but also addresses the needs and aspirations of our residents,” Markovich said. As the project progresses, local engagement will be key to ensuring that the expansion benefits everyone involved.

Originally reported by Richard Perinns in The Chronicle.