County gives boost to $17M Infinity Labs project

Dayton city commissioners have had the first of two readings of a resolution to accept a grant in support of a $17 million project expected to bring 100 high-paying jobs to downtown.

The resolution would accept a $250,000 Economic Development/Government Equity grant that Montgomery County awarded to Infinity Labs.

Infinity Labs is a fast-growing defense contractor that wants to turn a vacant building at 118 E. Fourth St. into a “collaboration space” where the company will work with entrepreneurs on projects for the defense and commercial markets, says a memo from Todd Kinskey, Dayton’s director of planning, neighborhoods and development.

The project will result in the full renovation of one of Dayton’s oldest buildings — the 1887 Dayton Power & Light steam power plant, the memo states. Infinity Labs’ new headquarters is expected to finish in 2024.

Earlier this year, the Ohio Tax Credit Authority approved a 2.028%, nineyear Job Creation Tax Credit for the project.

JobsOhio said the firm focuses on research and development and “disruptive technologies;” its primary customers are the U.S. Navy, Air Force and Army.

Infinity Labs won the Dayton Development Coalition’s 2020 Entrepreneurial Startup of the year award.

Infinity Labs is less than two years old but already demonstrates the maturity of a large, seasoned company, Jeff Hoagland, president and CEO of the Dayton Development Coalition, said in a statement.

“While we are growing in several other states, Ohio prioritized our workforce expansion in a way that other states should note,” said Ken Edge, Infinity Labs CEO, in a statement.