Success Stories

Safeway Packaging, Inc.

[New Bremen]
Safeway Packaging, Inc., manufacturer of corrugated cardboard packaging invested $3.6 million for machinery and equipment and $6.5 million for the construction of a 260,000 sq. ft. manufacturing and distribution center for its new location in New Bremen. The company had also considered a location in Michigan. By working with Ohio Department of Development, the Village of New Bremen was able put together an Enterprise Zone Agreement which lead to Safeway's decision to put the facility in New Bremen.

The tax abatements negotiated as part of the Enterprise Zone Agreement will result in a savings of $757,000 over a ten year period for Safeway.

Safeway brought 90 employees with them to New Bremen, and anticipates hiring an additional 15-20 within three years.

Graham Packaging

[Minster]
Graham Packaging Company recently invested $18 million for machinery and equipment at a new facility in Minster, Ohio.   Graham Packaging is a global leader in the design, sale, and manufacture of value-added, custom blow-molded plastic containers for branded foods and beverages, personal care and specialty products, household products, chemical-based products, and automotive lubricants.   Headquartered in York, Pennsylvania, the company has 87 facilities worldwide.

The Village of Minster worked with the Ohio Department of Development to put together a package of incentives which met specific needs expressed by Graham.   These incentives included:

• A 412 Business Development Grant in the amount of $20,000 to help with costs associated with the acquisition and installation of machinery and equipment.
• $ 30,000 through the Ohio Investment in Training Program costs associated with specific training and other workforce development needs.
• $150,000.00 in Ohio Small Cities Community Development Block Grant Economic Development Funds to partially cover costs associate with an approximately 8 million dollar planned improvement to the Village's Waste Water Treatment Plant to accommodate additional volume that will be result from Graham's operation..

The project will result in 25 new jobs with an average pay rate of $20.50 per hour.

AAP St. Marys Corp.

[St. Marys]
AAP St. Marys Corp., a division of Hitachi Metals, has realized great success in St. Marys, Ohio! The aluminum wheel manufacturer has expanded many times since beginning operations in 1988. Employment has grown from the initial 80 associates to over 400 employees today. AAP completed a $28 million expansion project in 2007, adding 20 new jobs and expanding the size of their building by 107,000 sq. ft. The company has been assisted in several of their expansion projects with Enterprise Zone Agreements approved by the City of St. Marys and Auglaize County Commissioners.