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Vandalia firm to add 140 jobs, expand business

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By Thomas Gnau, Staff Writer Updated 1:13 AM Wednesday, December 23, 2009

VANDALIA — Crown Solutions will add about 140 jobs and expand by 70,000 square feet in the next five years, the company and Vandalia city government said.

A Crown Solutions executive, Jim Marten, stressed that a new building will be constructed, saying that the plan for a building was to be the core announcement the company wanted to make Tuesday, Dec. 22.

But Marten, a Crown Solutions vice president, also confirmed a written announcement from the city — including a city statement that 140 jobs will be added during five years.

Crown Solutions has about 180 employees today.

The building project — to be built by Wenco Inc. and owned by Harbor Investments, of Fort Wayne, Ind. — will be at 913 Industrial Park Drive, the company said.

Asked about the number of jobs the company plans to add, Marten said, “I’m confirming that it’s part of our business plan.” He said he couldn’t give a pay range for new jobs.

For months, the company has sought state and local grants for expansions that at times were identified as offering about 140 to 157 possible new jobs. Early in 2008, the Ohio Department of Development awarded Crown $200,000 to help with a planned expansion that it expected to retain 106 jobs and create 157 jobs.

A subsidiary of global company Veolia Water Solutions and Technologies, Crown has operated from offices and labs at 945 S. Brown School Road for six years.

The new facility will be used to manufacture water and wastewater treatment equipment. About 20,000 square feet will be set aside for engineering, procurement and financial functions, the city said.

“Crown Solutions has been a very strong company in Vandalia for many years,” Vandalia mayor Bill Loy said in a statement from the city.

Crown Solutions will have a long-term lease agreement to occupy the building, the city said. The building is scheduled to be complete by early 2011.

Contact this reporter at (937) 225-2390 or tgnau@DaytonDailyNews.com.

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