Strongsville's bustling business parks have added 600 new jobs so far this year through expansions and new move-ins.

Economic Development Director Brent Painter said the biggest new employer is Vitamix Corp., which will take over a vacant facility on Morgan Court and bring 300 new jobs to town.

But other companies are relocating to Strongsville or expanding here -- like Republic Anode Fabricators, Victory Solutions and Sems and Associates. 

Painter said all the activity then spurs other companies to in Strongsville.

"We're thrilled with what we have here," he said.

He said the city's industrial parks are also becoming higher-tech employers, with the existing warehouse space being taken over by manufacturing plants.

The lure for new businesses will be even greater when Time Warner Cable finishes installing fiber optic lines for faster Internet service into the industrial parks -- a project that would have cost the city $1 million.

Retails Looks Good, Too

On the retail side, Earth Fare has committed to leasing the vacant Borders building on Royalton Road. 

Giant Eagle plans to break ground soon on its 110,000-square-foot Market District supermarket on Pearl Road.

Sheetz and O'Charley's are moving ahead with plans to build at the corner of Pearl and Whitney roads.

"There is activity, finally, in front of Lowe's," Painter said.

And Century Federal Credit Union recently took over the space formerly held by First Federal of Lakewood, which built a plaza across the street on Pearl Road.