Two central Ohio projects — one in New Albany, the other in Fairfield County — are expected to initially bring more than 100 jobs and $7 million in annual payroll.
Both will receive tax credits if they meet economic goals, according to the Ohio Tax Credit Authority agreements, although at least one local official has raised doubts about the Fairfield County project.
Ohio Gov. Mike DeWine, Lt. Gov. Jim Tressel, and Lydia Mihalik, Ohio Department of Development director, announced the projects Oct. 10, along with three others in other parts of the state. In total they are expected to create 218 new jobs and retain nearly 1,165 jobs statewide while producing $14 million in new payroll and $2.1 billion in investments across Ohio.
Billion-dollar data center coming to Millersport
In Millersport, a village of almost 1,000 residents in Fairfield County, known for its Sweet Corn Festival, Denver-based Vantage Data Centers Management Company has been working on a data center complex on 500 acres that would bring an estimated $2 billion in development.
Vince Topo, village administrator, said, “We’ve been meeting with these people since Jan. 10 and yet the property hasn’t changed hands. Until I see the ground being moved, I’m not sure it’s going to happen.”
“A majority of our demographic is senior citizens,” he said. “Their attitude is if they get some relief from the taxes, it’s a good thing. But nothing has been officially signed or gone into effect.”
Vantage already has three data centers in New Albany, according to tracking website Data Center Map.
The Ohio Department of Development estimates the value of the Vantage credits to be $76 million. Other states, including Georgia, Illinois, Indiana and Pennsylvania were competing with Ohio for the project.
According to Ohio development officials the site would create 37 full-time-equivalent positions, generating $3.7 million in new annual payroll. Vantage “powers, cools, protects, and connects the technology of hyperscalers, cloud providers, and large enterprises,” according to state officials The proposed project includes a fixed-asset investment of $2.1 billion of building costs. The tax authority approved a 50%, 10-year data center tax exemption for the project.
Vantage will operate a computer data center business and claim the tax exemption on sales and use taxes associated with data center equipment purchases at the project site, according to a scope of work agreement. The tax exemption would begin Jan. 1, 2026 and run through Dec. 31, 2035. Vantage must maintain operations at the project site for the entire agreement.
Axium Packaging growth in New Albany
Axium Packaging, a North American plastic packaging manufacturer specializing in rigid and extruded plastic products for personal care, health care, food, beverage, and automotive use, has expansion plans in New Albany and Jersey Township in Licking County.
The Ohio Department of Development estimates the value of Axium credits, if requirements are fully met, at $344,300 with 1,096 jobs retained. As part of the agreement, the tax credit authority requires the company to maintain operations at the project site for at least eleven years.
According to a scope of work agreement, Ohio is competing with Illinois and Missouri for the project.
As many as 70 full-time-equivalent positions, generating more than $3.6 million in new annual payroll are expecting as a result of the company’s new location in Jersey Township and the city of New Albany. The proposed project will include the construction of a new facility for added capacity for tube manufacturing and specialized warehouse operations. The tax credit authority approved a 1.23%, eight-year job creation tax credit for the project.
This story was updated with new information.
Growth and development reporter Dean Narciso can be reached at dnarciso@dispatch.com
This article originally appeared on The Columbus Dispatch: Ohio approves tax breaks for massive Millersport data center, New Albany packaging operation
Reporting by Dean Narciso, Columbus Dispatch / The Columbus Dispatch
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