$18M facility could bring 69 jobs to Middletown

MIDDLETOWN — A Houston-based metal coating and metal building component manufacturing company is looking at investing nearly $18 million to create a facility in Middletown.

NCI Building Systems Inc. is considering repurposing a Yankee Road facility to house a local branch of their international manufacturing operation. The company appeared before the Ohio Tax Credit Authority Monday, April 26, where members approved a 50 percent state tax credit for six years, beginning Jan. 1, 2011.

Bethany Close, a spokeswoman with the Ohio Department of Development, said the value of the tax credit is estimated at $197,675 over the six-year period. NCI would be required to maintain operations at the site for at least nine years, Close said.

The project would bring a total of 69 new jobs to the city, with an estimated $3.2 million in annual payroll, according to Economic Development Director Mike Robinette.

“They’re looking to make a total investment of approximately $17.9 million in facilities,” Robinette said. “They like Middletown as a location strategically for their business.”

Robinette does not think NCI currently does any business with AK Steel Corp., but said he “would assume there is certainly a potential they would do business together.”

The city has been courting NCI for approximately three months, Robinette said. Company representatives were in Middletown on March 30 to take a tour of the city and meet with agents of various local organizations.

Originally founded in 1984, NCI has 39 operational manufacturing facilities across the U.S. and Mexico with additional sales and distribution offices in Canada. NCI’s family of companies earns more than $1.5 billion in annual revenue and is listed on the New York Stock Exchange under NCS, according to company documents.

Representatives with NCI Building Systems did not immediately return calls for comment.

In addition to the tax credit secured Monday, Robinette said he believes NCI is pursuing additional tax incentives through the state. The company also will likely look into several local incentives, though Robinette said the city has not talked specifically about anything.

“I could potentially see them going after an enterprise zone tax abatement or local job creation tax incentive grants,” he said. “We’ve had general discussions about it, but we’re holding off on anything detailed until May.”

Assuming NCI opts to invest in Middletown, the facility would likely be operational during the first part of 2011, according to Robinette.

“But I don’t ever characterize anything as a done deal until it’s a done deal,” he said.

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