Projects to bring 890 jobs to area

Central Ohio stands to gain 890 jobs from four projects that received approval Monday for state tax incentives, including an expansion by healthcare company Quantum Health that will bring 350 jobs to Columbus.

The four projects are among 11 approved by the Ohio Tax Credit Authority that will create 1,715 jobs and retain 1,448 jobs statewide, and spur $463 million in investment.

Columbus-based Quantum Health, which helps coordinate health care for its clients' employees, currently has 740 workers and an annual payroll of $47.8 million.

The additional 350 jobs will have a payroll of $18 million, or more than $50,000 per employee.

The tax credits have an estimated value of $2.8 million.

Automotive systems company Magna Seating of America received approval for a project that will create 300 jobs in Lancaster from a new operation the company plans to establish there to make seats.

The company will invest $14.6 million, and the 300 jobs have an annual payroll of $14 million.

The tax credits have an estimated value of $2 million.

Software company Nexient plans to add 200 jobs in Dublin and automated manufacturing machinery company ATS plans an expansion of its operations in Orange Township in Delaware County that will add 40 jobs.

Payroll for the Nexient jobs will total $15 million. The tax credits are worth $2.6 million.

Nexient, based in the San Francisco area, is creating a product development center in Columbus to help meet growing demand.

The company develops software for industries including technology, healthcare, finance and insurance, and manufacturing.

ATS will combine two facilities and expand its operations at a 25-acre site in Lewis Center. Hiring is expected to begin in 2020.

The new facility will provide more space for the company to produce automation machinery for a variety of customer applications, including automotive power storage systems.the new jobs at ATS will generate $2.5 million in annual payroll and the company plans to retain $8.9 million in existing payroll.

The tax credits are worth $225,000.

Outside of central Ohio, South African mining company Petmin received approval for a project in Ashtabula in northeast Ohio in which the company plans to invest $347 million in an operation that will produce and export iron for use in steel making.

The tax credits are worth $1.2 million.