RICHMOND HEIGHTS, Ohio -- The city received news this week that would make any community envious -- one of its key businesses has received a state tax credit that will allow it to expand and, by the close of 2031, add 976 good-paying jobs.
The business is Flexjet, the private jet transportation company that made big news in September 2023 when it opened its $50-million, futuristic global headquarters to more than 400 employees at 26980 Curtiss-Wright Parkway at the Cuyahoga County Airport in Richmond Heights.
The latest news, however, is perhaps even bigger.
"They'll be creating 976 full-time jobs by Decemeber 31, 2031," said Economic Development Director Chelsey Kovar. "And, they're bringing (to Richmond heights) over 300 jobs from Cleveland Hopkins Airport." The 300 jobs are included in the 976 total.
"The estimated new payroll is $62.5 million," she said.
Spurring the big news was an $18.6-million payroll tax credit covering the next 15 years that was approved this week by the Ohio Tax Credit Authority.
"They're (Flexjet) also going to do this huge expansion," she said, noting that Cuyahoga County removed old hangars to help make way for the growth.
"They're going to double their campus size," Kovar said. "That's going to include a new administrative building, pilot training -- they're going to expand their training capacity -- and they're building a new auditorium. They'll have new hangars, and they're going to bring back the restaurant.
"There used to be a restaurant over there (at the county airport), and so they do want to bring back a restaurant for the city."
The restaurants JB Milano and, from 1984-89, the Red Baron, operated on the Parkway, but that restaurant building has since been demolished, meaning a new building will be built to house the eatery.
Kovar said that the expansion, will double the size of Flexjet's campus.
Mayor Kim Thomas and Kovar proposed last year a rezoning of Curtiss-Wright Parkway, which Kovar credits with the good things happening on the street that winds through the airport.
Council approved in August of 2025 the Parkway's rezoning to a B-3 classification, which allowed for multiple types of businesses to operate there. Before the rezoning, the Parkway was zoned only for industrial and office building use.
"We have (Flexjet's) expansion, and we have another (as-yet unnamed) company going through a selection proicess (for a site on the Parkway), and we are in contention for another expansion on the Parkway," Kovar said.
"We also have that 36 acres of contiguous development (the largest contiguous available lot in Richmond Heights) that's available on the Parkway for any other business that wants to come in.
"The rezoning allowed for all of these things to kind of spur off, and we have tons of different new businesses on the Parkway that fall under that zoning. So you can go to the cafe (Creative Blends Cafe) that's now there and get a smoothie or have lunch, (and) there's yoga and pilates back there.
"There's a kitchen design center (David Brown Construction) -- so there's all these different things that were never allowed there before that are now there."
The state tax break helped convince Flexjet to expand in Richmond Heights, as it had been exploring expansion at sites in Florida and Texas, states known for having fewer regulatory barriers than Ohio.
Kovar said Flexjet would have stayed in Richmond Heights, but looked only at expansion in the other states.
"So now we have all these new businesses popping up (on the Parkway) to support what's already existing, and then we have businesses already there saying, 'Hey, we feel so strongly about this area, about Ohio, we're going to make a stand here.'
"(Flexjet) decided to stay with us, so we're really, really happy."
At Richmond Heights' income tax rate of 2.25 percent, a $62.5-million payroll increase could bring the city approximately $1.4 million in additional annual income tax revenue.
Kovar discussed the Flexjet news at Thursday's (July 30) City Council meeting. During that meeting, RHPD Chief Calvin Williams said he discussed this week with Thomas, who was not present at the council meeting, about the possible need for more police officers.
In addition to the nearly 1,000 new Flexjet workers, the $500-million Belle Oaks Marketplace project is being built on Richmond Road, adding more than 800 luxury apartments to the city, as well as retail shops.
Williams said that an increase in the force may become necessary in the next 18-24 months.
Meanwhile, DealPoint Merrill Vice President and Belle Oaks Project Manager Daren Schnee was in attendance at the meeting, presenting a new plan for the entrance to the apartments from Wilson Mills Road.
The new entrance would not include a gate, as had been in a previous plan, but would have a barrier-arm at which motorists would be stopped prior to entering.
Two drives will extend from the main drive and lead motorists to parking for the retail businesses.
Williams also said DealPoint Merrill has extended an offer of space for a police substation to be located at Belle Oaks.
Trebisky RoadIn a written report to council, City Engineer Justin Hazelton stated that the newly installed water main lining has passed testing and the contractor is working on road restoration.
The work is now anticipated to be complete by mid-August. The water line work began in December and has led to the road's closing since to through traffic.
