Whirlpool expansion receives tax credit

The expansion of Whirlpool Corporation's facility in Ottawa has been awarded a seven-year, 1.12% Job Creation Tax Credit by the Ohio Tax Credit Authority. The company expects the expansion to create 100 full-time positions, generating $3.7 million in new annual payroll and retaining $23.5 million in existing payroll. The expansion, beginning in mid-2022 and reaching full production in 2023, will make the Ottawa plant the premium refrigeration factory in North America, the company reported in November. The plant employs about 485 individuals. The company's Ottawa operations were established in 1990 and currently produce freezers, under-counter ice makers and hybrid heat-pump bases for ventless dryers. Its employees manufacture products for the Whirlpool, KitchenAid, Amana, Maytag, Gladiator and JennAir brands. The TCA recently approved assistance for 10 projects statewide, which are set to create 946 new jobs and retain 2,485 jobs. Gov. Mike DeWine announced the approvals on Monday. Collectively, the projects are expected to result in more than $50 million in new payroll and spur more than $296 million in investments across Ohio.