Journal-News.com

WEST CHESTER TWP. — GE Aviation is considering a Butler County site for a new, 400,000-square-foot facility that could bring 1,599 employees and a $75 million investment.

A waiver application submitted by Butler County Director of Economic Development Brian Coughlin May 22 to the Ohio Department of Development indicates GE is seeking a location to consolidate three facilities: two in Cincinnati and one in West Chester Twp.

"It would certainly be the largest project in the four years I've been here," said Coughlin.

The proposed $60 million facility would be built on the site of the former Queen City Sports Complex, 9267 Cincinnati-Dayton Road, which would allow for a 350,000-square-foot addition that could be built as early as 2011.

The employees moved to the new facility would mostly be engineers, with a total annual payroll of about $140 million, according to the request.

The waiver request also lists Evendale, Springdale and Erlanger, Ky., as other possible locations.

Officials with GE Aviation could not be reached.

A draft enterprise zone agreement submitted by West Chester Twp. Business Retention and Expansion Manager Brad Evans to the state May 23 is requesting a 10-year, 100 percent tax abatement for the facility. The draft agreement indicated the company, township and Lakota Local Schools are negotiating details of any school reimbursement.

The draft agreement lists Aug. 1 as the potential start date for the new facility to be under construction, if approved. It would be operational by Jan. 1, 2010.

Contact this reporter at (513) 755-5127 or mcunningham@coxohio.com.

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