More medical marijuana businesses are hoping to start growing in central Ohio, specifically on Commerce Boulevard in Johnstown.
The village's manager said five medical marijuana cultivation companies are in contracts with property owners, with hopes to set up a business by September.
Now, nearly all of the space for medical marijuana companies in Johnstown is taken, but before growers can plant they need a license from the state.
According to the village welcome sign, Johnstown is known for its famous mastodon remains discovery in 1926, but soon it could be recognized for something more green.
Village officials have already said medical marijuana businesses are welcome in Johnstown, and 5 cultivation companies have responded to the invitation.
"I figured a couple. Maybe two, three. You know to have contracts on five of the properties is amazing, but we're all at the hands and the mercy of the state," Village Manger Jim Lenner said.
Lenner said Johnstown had 6 vacant properties that could potentially serve as a medical marijuana business park. 5 of those lots on Commerce Boulevard are now spoken for. The property owners are currently in contracts with several out of state medical marijuana businesses.
Lenner said some of the companies will take over an empty lot while others will take over existing buildings.
"They're not going to spend 10-15 million dollars just to have some run of the mill operation. It's going to be top notch," Lenner said.
Someone downtown shops and restaurants on Main Street are excited to see what happens next.
"It'll be good for businesses. I think that it will bring in people from out of town. You know Newark and New Albany are starting to squish into Johnstown," manager at The Old Horseshoe Kate Wollam said.
Some would like to serve bigger crowds and see Johnstown boom with business.
"Small towns need some more thriving business and I love to see small towns have shops on every corner that are open instead of boarded up," Myra Littleton said.
Littleton says she has a consignment out of Antiques on Main.
Others have concerns about the medical marijuana industry moving in so close to home.
"It might make crime higher around an area. Mainly maybe the crime. More problems," Lila Cornwell said.
But all of this is up to the Ohio Department of Commerce to decide.
"This all means nothing if they don't get a license," Lenner said.
Only 24 cultivator licenses will be given to businesses in the state of Ohio. Companies have to be growing medical marijuana within 9 months of being awarded a license.