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GE adding 1,400 jobs in Greater Cincinnati

GE

The parent company of Evendale-based GE Aviation is expanding operations in Greater Cincinnati. General Electric will open its new U.S. Global Operations Center here, breaking ground sometime this summer.

GE says the shared services center will create 1,400 jobs.  GE's Joe Allen says, "When we're fully staffed and ready to go a few years from now, we could as many as 2,000 employees."

Ohio Governor John Kasich says, "This is the biggest job announcement and single job growth in a decade."

The company plans to be fully operational here by 2017.

When asked directly by Ohio Public Radio, both Governor John Kasich and GE's Allen wouldn't elaborate on what incentives were offered by the state to draw the company.

"There's incentives that are consistent with our other packages and we're going to help them with training," said Kasich.

Allen continued, "Our relationship with the state has been tremendous and we think the local talent pool that we can draw from is excellent and that makes it easy for us to really go after a target of 1,400 new jobs."

Deborah Case with GE Aviation says, "A temporary site will be Downtown while the permanent center is being built." A permanent location hasn't yet been decided.

Cincinnati Mayor John Cranley also wouldn't be specific about incentives but says the goal is to make sure GE chooses to locate in the city. He says it's a good sign that temporary offices are being set up in Downtown's Atrium Two building.

"We'll do the kinds of things we do for our normal jobs," says Cranley. "The kind of incentives that we made available for dunnhumby or for Catholic Health Partners and others that we're trying to lure to the city... We're going to see what they need and what they need (like a parking garage) will depend on the site that they select."

In a release, JobsOhio writes:

The center is key to GE's global strategy to simplify its operations. GE is creating shared service sites where enabling functions like finance and IT can be standardized and managed in one place. The Greater Cincinnati site will be one of GE's five shared services centers around the world. JobsOhio worked closely with GE to provide information on suitable sites for the new shared services center, as well as economic development assistance. Ohio was in competition with a number of other locations in the United States. "GE is one of the most innovative, forward-thinking, well-run companies on the planet. The company knows the Greater Cincinnati area is an excellent place to be because of its long-time, successful GE Aviation operation and we're thrilled with the confidence this move shows in the people of Ohio. JobsOhio has once again shown its value by working successfully with the company to make this happen. It's great to see more jobs created by JobsOhio's efforts," said Ohio Gov. John R. Kasich.

Locally, Interim Executive Director of REDI Cincinnati Matt Davis says it's no surprise GE chose the Cincinnati region. "GE knows that our region is an ideal place to live and work, and we're excited to again be part of its plans for the future."

Davis reiterates this is the biggest largest economic development project, in terms of jobs, in the last decade. "That really speaks to where our economy was and where we hope to get it. This is a huge boost to our local economy and great signal from GE to grow where they have infrastructure already and where they're familiar. Familiarity is a huge key and it really speaks to our assets to be able to attract them to grow here."

Senior Editor and reporter at WVXU with more than 20 years experience in public radio; formerly news and public affairs producer with WMUB. Would really like to meet your dog.