Cleveland Advances Housing Manufacturing Strategy with MMY US Selection and Historic Tax Credit Award for Wellman-Seaver-Morgan Building

June 30, 2026- CLEVELAND, OH - Mayor Justin M. Bibb, the City of Cleveland, and the Site Readiness for Good Jobs Fund (SRF) today announced two major milestones in Cleveland's industrial and housing strategy with the selection of MMY US (MMY) as the City's preferred modular housing manufacturer, and the award of $2.56 million in Ohio Historic Preservation Tax Credits for the redevelopment of the historic Wellman-Seaver-Morgan Engineering Company building at 7000 Central Avenue.

Together, these announcements reflect a coordinated effort to expand housing production capacity in Cleveland, create quality manufacturing jobs, and activate one of the Midline's most significant historic industrial assets.

The City and SRF selected MMY through the "Off-Site Construction Manufacturing in Cleveland" Request for Proposals, marking a major step forward in Cleveland's effort to reduce the time and cost of building new homes through innovative construction methods. The process was made possible thanks to City Council's participation and careful analysis.

MMY's investment will support the City's Housing Innovation District, a focused strategy spanning Central, Hough, and St. Clair-Superior designed to accelerate housing production through modern zoning, incentivized permitting, innovative construction techniques, and infrastructure investments.

"Clevelanders deserve access to high-quality, affordable homes, and addressing our housing shortage requires bold action. With the selection of MMY as our modular housing manufacturing partner, we are taking a major step toward building more housing, more quickly, and at a scale that meets the needs of our residents," said Mayor Justin M. Bibb. "This decision brings advanced manufacturing and good-paying jobs to Cleveland while creating the capacity to produce the homes our city needs. It is a powerful example of how we are tackling our housing challenges head-on and building a stronger, more affordable future for Cleveland families."

The company's decision to establish operations in Cleveland will expand the region's capacity to produce off-site construction housing while creating up to 150 manufacturing jobs.

Pending the completion of state and local incentives, MMY intends to locate its manufacturing facility in the historic Wellman-Seaver-Morgan Engineering Company building at 7000 Central Avenue, a 185,000-square-foot industrial landmark situated within the Midline.

The redevelopment marks another significant milestone for the Midline, Cleveland's long-term effort to transform more than 350 acres of former industrial land into a modern employment district, innovation corridor, and greenway connecting neighborhoods with opportunity.

"We are grateful to Mayor Bibb, the City of Cleveland, and the Site Readiness for Good Jobs Fund for the confidence they have placed in MMY US," said Robin Bartram Brown, CEO of MMY US. "At MMY, we believe quality housing creates stronger communities, and that the best outcomes are achieved through innovation, skilled manufacturing, and strong partnerships. We look forward to contributing to Cleveland's future."

Founded by Samuel T. Wellman, inventor of the first open-hearth furnace in the United States, alongside Charles H. Wellman and John W. Seaver, the facility served as home to the Wellman-Seaver-Morgan Company until 1978. The company earned an international reputation for engineering some of the largest material-handling systems ever built, including Cleveland's renowned Huletts.

Recognizing its historic and engineering significance, the Ohio State Historic Preservation Office determined the Wellman-Seaver-Morgan building is eligible for listing on the National Register of Historic Places. The site has also received a Cleveland Landmark designation, with a final National Register review anticipated this fall.

Building on that recognition, the Ohio State Historic Preservation Office awarded the project $2.56 million in Ohio Historic Preservation Tax Credits to support the building's rehabilitation. The award represents a key component of a nearly $26 million capital stack that will transform the long-vacant facility into a modern manufacturing hub.

"This is far more than the rehabilitation of a historic building. As the crown jewel of the Midline, Wellman-Seaver represents the opportunity to reconnect Cleveland's industrial legacy with its economic future by creating a site that will attract investment, support housing production, and generate jobs for decades to come," said Brad Whitehead, Managing Director of the Site Readiness for Good Jobs Fund. "We are grateful to receive the full amount requested to support the restoration and redevelopment of the historic Wellman-Seaver Building, and we thank Governor Mike DeWine, the Ohio Department of Development, Mayor Justin Bibb, and the City of Cleveland for their continued partnership and commitment to this transformational project."

The selection of MMY and the redevelopment of the Wellman-Seaver-Morgan building reflect cornerstone pieces of Mayor Bibb's Cleveland ERA agenda, driving economic resurgence through industrial revival, neighborhood vibrancy, and government innovation citywide.