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“We’re really excited for Taylor and for the employees to experience what is happening in our downtown area, something that we haven’t experienced in this city for about 50 or so years and you are going to be a key part of it,” Whaley said, speaking at a ribbon cutting Wednesday for the new office.
The print and digital communications company will also retain about 100 employees at its 600 Albany St. campus.
“We help our customers grow their businesses and reach their own customers. And we’re very proud of the work we do and we’re very proud and excited to continue that work here in Dayton,” said Taylor Communications President Mark O’Leary.
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About 150 employees with Taylor Communications — formerly Standard Register before the company filed for bankruptcy in 2015— have already moved into new office at 111 W. First St. and all staff are anticipated to be moved in around January.
The 111 Building, owned by Montreal-based Olymbec, was extensively renovated into a modern office space in preparation for the company’s move in.
The move into eight stories of the downtown building was funded with help from the city and county government.
The city and county gave a combined $1 million incentive and as part of the agreement, Taylor says it will spend at least $2.4 million on facility improvements, equipment and other items so it can occupy about 130,000 square feet of space in the office tower.
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In exchange for the city’s support, Taylor has also agreed to pay at least $500,000 annually in wage withholding taxes through 2023.
Montgomery County Commissioner Dan Foley said the government officials made the right call when they decided to invest in Taylor’s move.
“We made the right decision and we’re thankful for Taylor investing in our community,” Foley said.
JobsOhio, the state’s private economic development arm, said it is working with the company but does not have an incentive agreement with the company at this time.
O’Leary said the new office space is designed to support collaboration and the needs of its employees.
“We want to make sure there are great opportunities for members of our team and that comes from having a strong vital business that’s growing. This is a big part of that,” he said.
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He said it’s a good time to be downtown and part of the revitalization happening in the city’s core.
“Being one of the anchor residents of the downtown corridor, I think that will help us with recruitment and retention of great people,” O’Leary said.
When Taylor Communications first announced its plans to shift employees to downtown, neighboring businesses celebrated the upcoming move bringing more employees that could become future customers or renters.
Todd Evans, property manager at the Landing, the downtown apartment complex by Taylor’s new office, said previously that it was good news since people like to “live and work and play” all in the same location.
Whaley said at the ribbon cutting that she urged the Taylor employees to get out and enjoy the amenities and environment of downtown.
“We’re encouraging you, employees of Taylor, to get out and enjoy what is a renaissance of downtown,” she said.
By the numbers
600: Number of Taylor Communications employees moving downtown
130,000: Square feet it will occupy in the 111 Building
$1 million: City and county incentives given to the project
$500,000: Income tax Taylor agreed to pay annually through at least 2023
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