Kettering could land 100 new engineering and corporate jobs

The $20 million project, which Kettering and Montgomery County officials have pursued for more than a year, would include construction of a 167,000-square-foot building at the park for the consolidation of BWI locations in Michigan and two existing sites in Kettering and Moraine. BWI has locations at 3100 Research Blvd. in Kettering and 2582 E. River Road in Moraine.

The Ohio Tax Credit Authority on Monday approved a 60 percent, seven-year tax credit to BWI for the creation of $7.9 million in additional payroll in Kettering. As a part of the tax credit agreement, BWI is expected to remain in Kettering for at least a decade.

The average wage for new full-time employees will be $38.22 per hour, plus $12 per hour in benefits.

The value of the tax credit is $923,758, according to the Ohio Department of Development. In addition, Kettering is making available $500,000, and $450,000 is being offered for roadwork development, while $350,000 through being made available through an Montgomery County ED/GE (Economic Development/Government Equity) grant. Other incentives include $300,000 through an Ohio “rapid outreach grant,” $90,000 through an Ohio “work force guarantee,” and $25,000 from the Dayton Development Coalition.

BWI would be expected to invest $20.2 million in the project, including $13 million for a building, $1.4 million for land, $800,000 for machinery and equipment and more than $5 million in other investments, according to the Ohio Department of Development.

Dronen said the new facility will focus on design and validation of brakes and suspension system products. The company’s North American presence today is primarily in Kettering, he said.

The company’s main customers in North America are General Motors and Harley-Davidson, Dronen said.

The project would involve the retention of 206 jobs already in Kettering and Moraine and another 100 jobs from Michigan or created anew, said Mark Schwieterman, Kettering city manager.

Dave Hicks, Moraine city manager, said BWI has about 70 employees in Moraine. Hicks said company and local officials kept Moraine informed of developments in the past year.

“If we (Moraine) can’t have them, it’s important that they (BWI) stay in the region,” Hicks said.

Staff Writer William Hershey contributed to this story.