Gov. Mike DeWine on Wednesday said he is optimistic about the economic future of northwest Ohio, which is still looking for its Intel-like super-project.

In a wide-ranging interview with The Blade's editorial board and a reporter, the governor said an announcement could be coming soon about the 200-acre Wood County site that Peloton backed away from in 2022 after initially committing to a $400 million manufacturing facility.

The governor would not go into specifics on the deal, but Wood County property records show First Solar Inc. bought the building and surrounding land — about 100 acres total — for $33 million last week. The Tempe, Ariz.-based company, which later Wednesday confirmed it had purchased the building, has based much of its manufacturing, research, and development footprint in Wood County, with the Peloton purchase the latest addition.