Immediate Release
August 14, 2009
Batavia, Ohio. The Board of Clermont County Commissioners (BCC) has approved a resolution that will help secure financing for the private acquisition of the former Batavia Ford Plant. This is the first in a series of approvals necessary for the proposed issuance of $6,125,000 Ohio Enterprise Bond Funds by the Ohio Department of Development. The bonds, anticipated to be sold in November, would finance the acquisition and renovation of the former Ford plant in Batavia Township by Industrial Realty Group (IRG); the site consists of a 1.8 million square foot building on 230 acres.
IRG’s proposed acquisition of the facility is based on its unique size, excellent utility infrastructure, and environmentally clean status; IRG owns over 50 million square feet of industrial and military space in other parts of Ohio and across the country. The Batavia Township facility will be marketed to large users looking at multiple regions or states to establish new operations. These factors, along with IRG’s proven record in attracting new investment to its other properties, were instrumental in the BCC decision to provide financial support to move this project forward.
“This is a significant move forward for Clermont County,” said Clermont Board of Commissioners President Ed Humphrey. “There is no other space of this size and quality available in the Greater Cincinnati region at this price point, making it a significant asset to the county’s economic development portfolio. We are confident that this property will be well positioned for a viable future that will bring new jobs to Clermont County.”
The Ford plant closed in 2008 idling over 1,700 workers.
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For additional information about this or other county news, contact Clermont County Communications Director Kathryn Lehr at (513) 732-7597 or by e-mail, klehr@co.clermont.oh.us.