A Belgian ice cream cone company expanding operations in Columbus is one of seven projects expected to initially bring Ohio more than 1,320 new jobs and $83.5 million in annual payroll.
During its monthly meeting March 30, the Ohio Tax Credit Authority (TCA) reviewed economic development proposals brought to the board by JobsOhio and its regional partners. The efforts will generate about $123.4 million in investment across Ohio and help retain more than 900 existing jobs, officials said.
Dupon USA, a Belgium-based manufacturer of baked wafers, cookies, toppings and equipment used by ice cream manufacturers, plans to construct a 175,000 building at 1700 E. 17th Ave., just north of Downtown. The $33 million investment is an expansion of its existing corporate and logistics presence in Columbus, needed to support growing demand across North America. The project will add 60 new jobs ($3 million in new payroll) to 28 existing positions. The tax authority approved a 1.195%, 7-year Job Creation Tax Credit for the project.
“This expansion represents an important next step for our company as we grow our presence in the United States,” Dick D’Hoore, Owner & CEO, said in a prepared statement, noting the company’s need for the location and support to scale operations.
With its international company headquartered in Belgium, Dupon USA’s expansion illustrates its growing foreign direct investment in the Columbus region.
“International companies are choosing the Columbus to establish and grow their North American operations,” said Deborah Scherer, senior vice president of global trade and investment at the Columbus Partnership.
Also in central Ohio, Copper Run Capital LLC expects to create 30 full-time-equivalent positions, generating $6 million in new annual payroll as a result of the company’s expansion of its boutique mergers and acquisitions advisory firm focused on serving senior-level clients. The project would lease an 18,000 square-foot office space near its Grandview Heights location. The authority approved a 1.813%, 8-year Job Creation Tax Credit for the project. Columbus City Council is also considering a tax incentive for the project.
Other Ohio jobs projects include:
NORTHEASTApplied Metal Technologies, LTD, 152 full-time-equivalent positions, generating $11 million in new annual payroll as a result of the company’s project in the city of Bedford Heights and Village of Brooklyn Heights (Cuyahoga County), and the city of Wadsworth (Medina County) to expand its machine, polishing, and finishing aluminum wheels for the automotive, commercial vehicle, and aerospace markets. Applied Metals would add domestic aluminum wheel casting capabilities to its current offering of services. The authority approved a 1.619%, 9-year Job Creation Tax Credit for the project.
East Trailers LLC, to create 175 full-time-equivalent positions, generating $9.6 million new payroll for expansion in Randolph Township and the city of Kent (Portage County) to manufacture commercial trailers and truck bodies for the North American trucking industry. The authority approved a 1.496%, 8-year Job Creation Tax Credit for the project.
SOUTHWESTResonant Sciences LLC, to create 101 full-time-equivalent positions, generating $10 million in new annual payroll in Beavercreek (Greene County) for its antenna design and fabrication operation. The proposed project includes a production facility that would support mass manufacturing and sustainment operations for military aircraft radomes (specialized weatherproof enclosure that protects radar or communication antennas from environmental damage). The authority approved a 1.738%, 9-year Job Creation Tax Credit for the project.
SOUTHEASTVertiv Corporation, to create 520 full-time-equivalent positions, generating $26 million in payroll for its Ironton (Lawrence County) operations designing and manufacturing critical infrastructure solutions that support data centers, communication networks, and industrial applications around the world. The authority approved a 1.6%, 10-year Job Creation Tax Credit for the project.
APAR USA LLC, is adding 290 full-time-equivalent positions, generating $17.9 million in payroll for its Frazeysburg (Muskingum County) company supplying overhead conductors, medium-voltage covered conductors, optical ground wire cables, specialty oils, polymers, and lubricants. The authority approved a 1.656%, 10-year Job Creation Tax Credit for the project.
Growth and development reporter Dean Narciso can be reached at dnarciso@dispatch.com.
This article originally appeared on The Columbus Dispatch: Columbus ice cream cone, toppings producer plans $33 million expansion
Reporting by Dean Narciso, Columbus Dispatch / The Columbus Dispatch
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