Milacron Inc. Is Home To Stay

Milacron Inc. sold its 459,000-square-foot Batavia plant to the Hamilton County Development Company Inc. for $11.5 million under the Ohio Enterprise Bond Program. The Cincinnati-based manufacturer of plastic processing and metal working technologies will continue to employ 660 people and operate the plant at 4165 Half Acre Road, while it leases back the facility for 10 years at favorable terms. At the end of the 10-year lease term Hamilton County Development is contracted to sell the building back to Milacron for $1. The Ohio Enterprise Bond Program is designed to preserve manufacturing jobs in a state that is realizing a downturn in the industrial sector by providing incentives against relocation. Ohio's Governor, Bob Taft, was the first person to approach Milacron about participation in the program in early 2002. Hamilton County Development is a not-for-profit economic development organization that works with the Small Business Association and the Ohio Department of Development to provide commercial loans within the eight counties of Southwestern Ohio.