Canton-based Hilscher-Clarke Electrical Contractors is staffing up to open a new facility in Tallmadge to serve a market in and around Akron that the company says has been driving its business in recent years.

"In the last 16 years, we have steadily grown year over year, not only in Canton, but in Coshocton and Akron as well," company president Scott Goodspeed said. "We've worked in Akron for years, but now we've opened an Akron office to better serve our customers. We bring with us values that have been instilled in the company for more than 100 years. We are carrying that baton forward to Akron."

Hilscher-Clarke will hold a day-long open house on Thursday, Aug. 10, at the site, 441 Monroe Falls Road. But it reports it already has hired 50 people for the operation and says it will likely need to hire more going forward. The company employs about 400 people in Canton and Coshocton.

The company serves some industries that have been growing in Ohio, including the health care and oil and gas industries. In addition to construction work, it provides 24-hour maintenance, repair, testing and automation services.

"We've decided to expand to the Akron area primarily because we think our services are needed. We bring to Akron our full range of electrical services that has proven to be so successful in our Canton and Coshocton markets," Goodspeed said. "With this move, we also are primed to provide our employees with new opportunities."

- Dan Shingler, Crain's Cleveland