ThisWeek CW 01/23/2014

http://www.thisweeknews.com/content/stories/canalwinchester/news/2014/01/20/projects-expected-to-bring-up-to-800-jobs.html

Anticipated new construction combined with two other projects in the works will bring up to 800 new jobs to Groveport this year, according to Finance Director Jeff Green.

He told Groveport City Council at its Jan. 13 meeting that he couldn’t reveal more details yet because negotiations are continuing. In addition, he said, one project is awaiting a decision at the state level regarding incentives and city council itself will need to discuss some incentives as well.

Green told members of council three new warehouse buildings are scheduled for construction this year, and two new companies are interested in expanding into Groveport, potentially bringing with them as many as 800 new jobs.

“In economic development news, we’ve got at least two new projects that will bring in 700 to 800 new jobs,” Green said.

“We’ve also had discussions with three different developers who are looking at building spec buildings and at the next council meeting, we’ll need to go into executive session to discuss some possible incentives,” he added.

During 2013, the commercial vacancy rate in Groveport was at a record low, spurring the need for new space for businesses, he said.

According to Green, the two new business projects are still being negotiated and won’t be ready for announcement until February at the earliest.

One of the projects is awaiting a decision from the Ohio Controlling Board regarding state incentives.

“I should be able to talk more about it at the city council meeting Feb. 10,” Green said. “They still need to go in front of the state controlling board for approval of those incentives.

“Of the two businesses, one is planning on going into an existing building with a Community Reinvestment Area (CRA)credit already in place and the other one is what we’ll talk about in executive session, but we can’t do anything until the state decides on their tax credits.”

Council leadership

In other city council news, members re-elected Edward G. Dildine to serve another year as council president pro-tem while Jean Ann Hilbert was elected to serve as vice president pro-tem for 2014.