Growing Alliance, Ohio in 2026

ALLIANCE ‒ The year 2026 is expected to include expansion, upgrades and celebration.

Residents are likely to see more dining options, more park programming, and a boost for the job market. The city also plans to celebrate the country's 250th birthday in style on July 4, and the Greater Alliance Carnation Festival returns beginning July 30.

Let's take a look at some of what's in store in 2026 for a city of roughly 21,500 people in eastern Stark County:

1. Carnation Caboose Turns Into An Amphitheater

A $110,000 project to upgrade the Carnation Caboose experience is planned for 2026. The Caboose − a historic railroad caboose that is a nod to the city's railroad past − has become a hot spot for summer concerts and the city's Farmers Market. It is located in the downtown municipal lot on East Main Street, across from the Alliance Area Chamber of Commerce.

The artist rendering for the project shows the parking lot feel would be replaced with an amphitheatre that looks cozier and more intimate. The caboose would remain the focal point with a stage. The project is slated to start in the spring, funded by a Community Development Block Grant. "This will definitely benefit our downtown area, as this area is where we have all our summer concerts and also hold our Farmers Market. It will definitely give our downtown an upgraded look," said Rick Baxter, chamber president.

2. YMCA's Y on the Fly program to upgrade Thompson Snodgrass Park with youth classes all summer

Niki McIlvain, director of marketing and special programs for the City of Alliance Parks and Recreation Department, confirmed YMCA's Y on the Fly program will have youth classes at Thompson Snodgrass Park this summer.

She said youth and adult classes will start June 1 at Thompson Snodgrass Park. Mcllvain also said there will be yoga classes at Silver Park.

Easter Egg Hunt at Butler Rodman Park is March 28, Robertson Community Center Pool opens May 23, Touch a Truck event at Butler Rodman on Sept. 26, and Christmas in the Park is Dec. 5 at Silver Park. The new ice rink closes Feb. 15 for the season, but reopens with Christmas in the Park.

3. Two major employers are expanding their footprint and a new company will boost the job market.

In 2025, the city's job market was hit hard with the closure of two Trilogy Plastics plants in Alliance. The company employed 153 people. But, in 2026, two of the city's largest employers − Morgan Engineering and Robertson Heating Supply − are expected to grow structurally, and add more jobs. Morgan Engineering, a leading manufacturer of overhead cranes at 1049 S. Mahoning Ave., has been operating more than 150 years in Alliance.

The company plans to expand its Big Red Bay − which houses Ingersol's largest planar mill − by 20,000 square feet for new advanced machinery. The project also includes a new lathe machine in Machine Shop Bay No. 1, officials said. The expansion will create 40 new jobs, with pay ranging from $29 to $45 an hour. The work starts March 1, with an estimated completion by year's end. "Investing in advanced manufacturing tooling to support larger, more complex projects, shorten lead times, and elevate quality. This investment, complemented by regional economic support, ensures we have the scale and precision our customers need today and the flexibility to grow with them tomorrow," said Mark Fedor, the company's owner and chief executive officer.

Robertson Heating Supply, headquartered at 2155 W. Main St., celebrates its 92nd year in business. The multi-generational family firm is a wholesaler for HVAC and plumbing services.

The company is expected to finish construction on a 2.1-acre additional warehouse and storage space by December. The work started in 2025.

Kurt Keller, product and operations manager for Robertson Heating Supply who is managing the expansion project, said the excavation and rough concrete work has been completed, with a winter break. They will resume work in the spring, likely in March. The expansion includes 24 additional loading docks, and additional 29 full-time jobs.

Lastly, Salco Machine is in the process moving from Louisville to a larger complex in the 1400 block of West Main Street in Alliance. The move is expected around March.

The company will add 20 to 25 high-paying positions. The city is providing a $840,550 loan to help with the relocation expenses and renovations.

4. There are plans for more restaurants in Alliance, including the downtown area

Mayor Andy Grove said there are plans for new dining options, most of them downtown, including a Mexican restaurant.

Grove also said the owner of Don Pancho's Tex-Mex Grill, Jesus Mireles Quezada Jr., bought the former Tailgaters Sports Bar & Grill at 1490 E. State St. He is expected to open a new restaurant called Townies Bar & Grill there.

In addition, city officials are exploring the possibility of designated outdoor refreshment area (DORA) in the downtown area.

5. The city will celebrate America 250 on July 4, Carnation Festival starts July 30

The city's summer will be loaded with fun activities and celebrations, including America 250 celebration and the Greater Alliance Carnation Festival. The city will celebrate Independence Day and Quincentennial − America 250 − from 5 to 10 p.m. July 4 at Silver Park. There will be food trucks and special musical performances.

For example, in partnership with American Musical Productions, there will be a 75-minute performance at 7:45 p.m. featuring a 23-piece concert band conducted by Joseph Rubin, park officials confirmed. The performance will create the concert program originally performed by Emil Rinkendorf and the Alliance City Band in 1926 with musicians wearing replica uniforms.

Alliance Historical Society will have educational information on the quincentennial and fun activities for children. The program will include fireworks at dark.

After July 4, the city's grandest event of any summer returns for a 12-day run. For the 61st time, the Greater Alliance Carnation Festival starts July 30 and runs through Aug. 9.

The Carnation Queen will be crowned July 25. The Carnation Food Fest runs July 30 through Aug. 1 at the University of Mount Union. Days in the Park is Aug. 5 through 8 at Silver Park. The Grand Parade is Aug. 8.

"For the last 2.5 years, with our economic development, the city's financial stability, and internal operations, we continue do well," Grove said. "That's the plan I started when I came in. That's the plan we're sticking to. It's proven well."

Those were just some of the notable projects, programs and opportunities that residents can look forward to in 2026. For example, the mausoleum in the Alliance City Cemetery, which suffered damage from a storm, will be renovated. There are others, including an overnight shelter, that have not been finalized.