LAWRENCE TWP.: Scott Demko is looking forward to this morning's groundbreaking ceremony for a new office building on state Route 21.

But what has Demko really excited isn't just a $500,000, 4,500-square-foot building that his company, Chu & Associates, hopes to soon move into.

Rather it's that this building could be the first step toward turning a vacant, weed-choked portion of the 200-acre Ron Oser farm along the west side of Route 21 into a commercial and medical service corridor for Canal Fulton and Lawrence Township.

''Ribbon-cutting ceremonies are nice,'' said Demko, a partner at Chu & Associates, a provider of health-care insurance for companies with 25 or fewer employees. ''But what really is important about this development is that it's going to be great for everyone in the community.

''It's a great location at the intersection of Marshallville Road and 21. . . . Right now, we're the golden child of the development. But we think we have an excellent opportunity to expand the development in the future.

''We have 15 acres and will use about three acres right now for the building and 12 acres for a residential development behind it. We can expand to 60 acres or even more in the future. It's zoned B1 by Lawrence Township for light industrial and commercial.''

Demko, who also is vice president of the Canal Fulton Chamber of Commerce, said the 11 a.m. ceremony will be followed by initial grading by the Lawrence Township developer, the Barenco Group.

Chu & Associates is hoping to move from its current location on Locust Street in Canal Fulton into the new building before next year.

''It normally takes six to eight months to complete a project like this.'' Demko said. ''But we're hoping to complete it in about five months and hav everything done by Dec. 1.''

Demko said sewer service from the development will be provided by Canal Fulton and Chu & Associates will drill its own well for water, though the hope is to get water from Canal Fulton in the future.

Donna Lemmon, treasurer of the Canal Fulton Chamber of Commerce, said area residents have been looking forward to development along Route 21.

''Getting businesses and medical services in a corridor on 21 is the ultimate goal,'' Lemmon said. ''It's going to start with one business, but we believe that one business will spark interest from other businesses. . . .

''There isn't a lot of room for growth in downtown Canal Fulton, so this is the best area to expand. It's a great location being on a highway for infrastructure. Even though it's technically in Lawrence Township, we think it's great.''