Shelby spared in electric rate hikes; 60 to lose jobs in Crawford closure; 4 other headlines
By David Jacobs
Shelby electric customers won’t face the utility rate hikes affecting other parts of the state, a city official confirmed Thursday, a day after the Public Utilities Commission of Ohio announced price increases from several major providers.
The PUCO urged customers of AEP Ohio, the Illuminating Company, Ohio Edison and Toledo Edison to review their utility bills ahead of scheduled rate increases on June 1, 2025.
But Shelby’s municipally operated utility has insulated residents from the changes through a long-term fixed-rate contract.
"The announced energy rate increase by PUCO for AEP will not affect the electric rates in Shelby," said John Ensman, Shelby municipal utilities director and the city’s deputy public service director. "Shelby has a negotiated energy contract with AEP Energy Partners through 2030."
As a public power community, Shelby city officials were able to hedge the energy market by entering into a 10-year agreement in 2020 with AEP Energy Partners, he said.
By locking in energy prices through a long-term deal, the city took proactive steps to avoid unpredictable cost spikes in the electricity market.
This strategy, often called “hedging,” helps shield customers from sudden rate increases by securing lower, steady prices in advance.
"The hedge reduced the cost of energy by 10 percent while locking in their energy rates during the first three years of the contract and then reducing their energy rate again by 9.7 percent to establish a lower fixed energy rate for the last seven years of the term," Ensman said.
In addition to customers of AEP Ohio, The Illuminating Company, Ohio Edison and Toledo Edison, the city of Willard is joining many communities in facing higher electric costs as capacity charges increase.
In Shelby, power services date back to 1890.
Shelby's Division of Electricity counts 4,879 residential customers, 169 commercial customers and 22 industrial customers.
"The city of Shelby is a public power provider and a member of American Municipal Power (AMP)," it notes.
REGION
60 jobs are being lost in Crawford County
GALION — Galion Pointe Skilled Nursing & Rehabilitation plans to permanently close its facility at 925 Wagner Ave. about July 1, eliminating 60 jobs, a WARN notice filed Thursday shows.
The facility is shutting down entirely, and all staff will be affected by the layoffs that day, the document from JAG Healthcare/Galion Pointe on file with the Ohio Department of Job and Family Services shows.
"The complete facility is closing, and it is expected to be permanent," states the document signed by an administrator with the JAG Healthcare/Galion Pointe.
SHELBY VISITOR
Jim Tressel at event in Shelby
Ohio Lt. Gov. Jim Tressel was in Shelby on Thursday, bringing together business, education, and community leaders for a roundtable discussion on the region’s workforce strengths and needs.
REGIONAL LAW ENFORCEMENT
List: Willard police respond to more than 70 calls in a week
BUSINESS
Shelby sewer tie-in possible for Jackson Township company site
JACKSON TOWNSHIP — Par-Kan Company is exploring wastewater treatment options and may seek permission to connect to the city of Shelby’s sanitary sewer system, the municipal government reports.
The company operates at 2510 Taylortown Road. A written report from Shelby municipal utilities director John Ensman states that an existing septic tank has failed. (A measure is in place to currently service the facility, Ensman said).
SPORTS
ONTARIO FOOTBALL: MOVING UP
Longtime Shelby football rival Ontario High School is heading to Ohio Division III for the 2025 football season, the Ohio High School Athletic Association announced on Thursday.
Ontario had been in Division IV, the same as the Shelby Whippets, where Shelby remains.
"Twelve...schools moved up a division due to the OHSAA’s competitive balance process that analyzes data from roster information provided by each school from the previous season," Thursday's announcement stated.
"Those 12 schools join 34 schools that remain in a higher division this year due to competitive balance, for a total of 46 schools that were moved up a division from the base male enrollment count," the OHSAA said, including Ontario on the list.
Ontario, assigned to Region 10 of Division III, remains in the Mid-Ohio Athletic Conference with Shelby for regular-season football competition and other sports.
Last fall, in a Nov. 15 regional semifinal state football playoff game that went down to the last play, Ontario rallied from a 22-point deficit to defeat Shelby 49-48 and end the Whippets’ season.
Thursday’s announcement covers only football.
The OHSAA said it recently conducted a survey with member schools regarding the format of the 2025 postseason football tournament. Those results are pending release.
Ohio’s 2025 football divisions and regions are posted here
The 2025 OHSAA Football Report, showing all schools, is available here.
OHIO
Nearly 500 jobs new are coming to Ohio
Kimberly-Clark Corporation, one of the world's leading manufacturers of personal care and hygiene products, will establish an $800 million advanced manufacturing facility in Trumbull County, bringing an anticipated 491 new high-quality jobs, the state government announced on Thursday.
The company’s board of directors met to approve the project Thursday afternoon, following the Ohio Tax Credit Authority’s approval of a 10-year Job Creation Tax Credit earlier this week.
WEATHER
"Showers and thunderstorms are possible Friday afternoon and evening ahead of a cold front," the National Weather Service said. "There is a low probability that a storm or two could be strong to severe with damaging wind gusts being the primary threat, particularly along and east of the I-71 corridor."
Shelby forecast (live updates)
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Reporter David Jacobs can be reached at davidjacobs@shelbynewsreporter.com