Thu Mar 22

West Chester playing role in Ohio’s economic development

Posted by akiefaber March 22nd, 2012, 1:38 pm

The Atlanta-based magazine Site Selection awarded Ohio and Governor John Kasich first place in its annual Governor’s Cup rankings. The Governor’s Cup, which was announced in its March issue, ranks the 50 states according to their success in attracting capital investment projects.

Overall, Ohio had 498 projects that met at least one the following three criteria; which includes a minimum investment of $1 million, the creation of 50 or more new jobs or new facility construction of at least 20,000 sq. ft.

Liz Claiborne

A total of 365 jobs will be lost when Liz Claiborne shuts down its distribution center in West Chester in 2012. However, according to the township, nearly 3,600 jobs were created in West Chester in 2011. Photo taken by Cara Owsley.

West Chester Township played a role in the state’s accomplishment – qualifying for 36 of the projects statewide and nearly 32 percent of the total projects submitted in Greater Cincinnati.

According to West Chester Township public information officer Barbara Wilson, nearly 3,600 new jobs were created in West Chester in 2011. Furthermore, nearly 8,200 jobs were retained as a result of expansion of existing companies in the township.

There have been numerous reports of job loss in West Chester Township in 2011, however, that number, which is around 500, is much less than jobs created.

Among the jobs lost in 2011 – include 62 from Omnicare, which relocated some positions to Cincinnati, but still has 163 jobs still in West Chester; 30 from ATC Aerospace, which relocated bulk of operation to Florida, but kept 6,000 sq. ft. facility in West Chester; 200 from BAE Systems, which is still open, but lost contracts in 2011; and 194 from CEVA Logistics, which closed local facility, as Dell transferred operations to new location.

Other job losses reported in 2011, but that won’t officially happen until 2012 include 365 jobs when Liz Claiborne Inc. shuts down its distribution center at 8741 Jacquemin Drive in West Chester. The company is expected to shut its doors by Sept. 1.

Separately, Schneider Logistics Inc. will eliminate 10 positions by the end of March due to ceasing services for General Motors Corp.’s distribution center at 8752 Jacquemin Drive.

Furthermore, the Lakota school district is expected to eliminate 141 positions by the 2012-2013 school year.

New job and lost job information does not include small retail stores or restaurants. Lakota positions are not all West Chester based jobs. Furthermore, those positions have not been officially eliminated yet.

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