On Sunday, the Columbus Dispatch took a look at one aspect of the massive Dollar Tree Distribution Center, now under construction just north of the State Route 61 intersection with I71 in southern Morrow County.
What caught the attention of writer Dean Narciso could be summed up in one word:
Traffic.
Commuters traveling southbound on SR61 have notice a distinct change in congestion in the vicinity of the new center. The new center was preceded by other commercial projects, including a large new day care center and a medical practices building.
As far north as southern Crawford County, the increased traffic is drawing attention. Two new large service stations and convenience store developments in Galion, for instance, have added diesel fuel and over the road trucking amenities, both located on SR61 just south of its intersection with US30.
Even Richland County commuters and travelers to Columbus are likely to be impacted as the traditional southbound flow along I71 in the vicinity of the new distribution center will now be joined by northbound commuters from Franklin and Delaware Counties. The southwestern edge of the county is only a handful of miles from Marengo and the new facility.
The Dispatch article, which can be accessed here, talks about the potential changes that this new activity might have on the rural nature of one of the area’s most rural counties. It also looks at tax incentives used to entice Dollar Tree to the area, and includes comments from area businesspeople.
