BATAVIA, Ohio — Clermont County commissioners have finalized a 30-year tax break for a $497.5 million pharmaceutical manufacturing plant planned for Williamsburg Township, a project expected to create 312 full-time jobs by the end of 2036.
The Board of County Commissioners voted 2-0 at its Aug. 5 regular session to adopt a Community Reinvestment Area agreement with ADS Batavia Inc., a Delaware corporation, and its tenant, identified in county records as Project USHUB, according to meeting minutes released by the board. Commissioner Bonnie J. Batchler was absent from the vote; Vice President David L. Painter and Commissioner Claire B. Corcoran voted yes.
The agreement grants a 75% exemption on real property taxes for up to 30 years on new construction at the project site within the Williamsburg Township Area 1 Community Reinvestment Area, with the exemption period beginning no later than tax year 2042 and running no later than tax year 2072, according to the resolution. The project is projected to generate about $22.5 million in new annual payroll, the resolution said.
Commissioners noted during the meeting that both Williamsburg Township and the local board of education had reviewed the tax exemption offer before the vote. The Williamsburg Township trustees approved a resolution authorizing the exemption on July 27, according to the county. The agreement will now be forwarded to the Ohio Department of Development, the Ohio Department of Taxation and the Clermont County auditor.
In other business at the meeting, commissioners voted to direct outside counsel to draft a memorandum of understanding with the Mental Health and Recovery Board spelling out how opiate settlement funds will be used to support the county’s planned Mental Health Crisis Receiving Center. The item was added to the agenda that morning at the request of County Administrator Thomas J. Eigel. Ryan Spitzer, an attorney with the Isaac Wiles law firm, briefed the board on the funding during the discussion.
Commissioners also voted to rescind the reappointments of Larry Hatfield and Rose M. Coors to the county’s Airport Zoning Board of Appeals, Flood Damage Prevention Variance Board and Water Management and Sediment Control Regulations Variance Appeals Board, citing a rule barring members from serving more than two consecutive terms.
During public participation, Chris Hicks of Cincinnati addressed the board on public records requests, and Julie Toliver of Batavia Township spoke about a brownfield site and property taxes, according to the minutes.
The board approved the minutes and resolutions from the Aug. 5 session on Aug. 12.
The information contained in this story was obtained from the Clermont County Board of Commissioners.