Tax credit could mean hundreds of new Clermont County jobs

BATAVIA TWP., Ohio - The creation of hundreds of new jobs at the former Ford plant in Batavia Township is one step closer to reality.

The Ohio Tax Credit Authority on Monday approved a 60 percent, seven-year tax credit for Huhtamaki, Inc., to create 208 full-time jobs.

In return, the Huhtamaki has to remain in Clermont County for 10-years. It currently operates a plant in the Clinton County community of New Vienna.

The specialty packaging firm wants to buy half the 1.8 million square feet of the old transmission plant to establish a new manufacturing and warehouse facility.

The new jobs are expected to generate $7.6 million in new annual payroll within three years.

A second phase would increase the tax credit to 75 percent and extent the term to 15 years if the company creates a 304 additional full-time jobs with an associated payroll of $10.9 million.