Ace, AEP receive tax incentives for projects

A total of 139 jobs are expected to be created as four companies received approval Monday for state tax incentives. Those projects include plans by Ace Hardware to create 72 jobs in West Jefferson and AEP’s plan for a $130 million data center in Groveport.

The four projects were among six statewide approved by the Ohio Tax Credit Authority.

The six projects will create 272 jobs statewide and retain 421 others. The projects are expected to result in new payroll of $14 million and spur more than $190 million in investment.

Ace plans to expand its four-year-old distribution center in West Jefferson by 309,000 square feet. Construction is expected to begin this summer and be finished next spring.

“We look forward to breaking ground on the expansion of our West Jefferson retail support center, an integral piece in Ace’s overall supply chain,” said Lori Bossmann, Ace’s chief supply chain officer, in a statement. “Ace’s continued volume growth has driven our need for a larger facility to accommodate our growing business demands.”

The distribution center serves stores in Ohio, part of Michigan, eastern Indiana, Kentucky, West Virginia and western Pennsylvania.

The new jobs will have an estimated payroll of $2 million, and the tax incentives have an estimated value of $100,000.

American Electric Power received approval for its plan to invest $130 million in Groveport to build a data center that will serve as a backup to its data center in New Albany.

The power company said the investment is meant to add more safeguards to AEP systems and ensure that the company can monitor its equipment at all times.

AEP will hire 17 workers with an annual payroll of $2.2 million as part of the project, along with 25 contractors.

The tax credits have an estimated value of $14.2 million.

Technology company Smartrac Technology Fletcher, based in the Netherlands, plans to create 30 jobs in central Ohio as part of a new operation that it is setting up here at a yetto-be-determined site.

The company develops and manufacturers radiofrequency identification products, software and products for the internet.

The tax credits have an estimated value of $685,000.

Prime Equipment, a maker of poultry processing equipment, plans to add 20 jobs as part of an expansion in which it will move its local manufacturing facility and offices to 2001 Courtright Road.

The company’s investment will top $6 million.

The move will allow the company to handle growing demands while being more efficient.

The tax credits have an estimated value of $60,000.