Novatex North America will have the opportunity to expand its operations in Ashland.

Ashland City Council passed an ordinance Tuesday authorizing Mayor Glen Stewart to enter into a real estate option and right of first refusal agreement to sell land to Novatex in the Ashland Business Park. 

The land has been divided into two parcels located just north of Novatex. One parcel is 9.454 acres and the second parcel is 9.371 acres.
 

Under the agreement, Novatex can purchase the one or both parcels for $10,000 an acre.
 

"In the event that they should want to expand, the company wants to make sure they have the land adjacent to their building available to them," Mayor Stewart said.

 Novatex moved into the industrial park in 2007 taking over operations from Hospira Inc., which produced baby bottle nipples.

In other business, council approved an ordinance to advertise for bids and enter into a contract for waterline replacement project in the city.

The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency will provide 55 percent of the money for the project. The estimated cost of the project is $669,824.
 

Council also passed an ordinance authorizing the filing of an application for an Ohio Department of Transportation grant for the Ohio Elderly and Disabled Transit Fare Assistance Program.

Council also approved a resolution authorizing the mayor to endorse a request for tax credits for a rehabilitation project at Ashland Village Apartments. The estimated cost for the project is $2.5 million.