Battelle Announces Expansion, Investments

COLUMBUS, Ohio—Battelle, the world’s largest nonprofit research company and development organization, planned an expansion and major investment.

NBC 4’s Marcus Thorpe reported with the FAST FACTS Wednesday.

Thorpe attended a news conference during which Battelle, civic leaders and government officials announced the expansion and investment.

Battelle planned to invest $200 million in Central Ohio while creating hundreds of new jobs. 

At its King Avenue complex, modernization and renovation were planned. Offices and laboratories will incorporate new energy efficient capabilities and green technologies. 

A 16,000-square-foot Battelle Discovery Center will help with childcare for employees. 

Battelle also moved to West Columbus for its new armor assembly facility that opened last year. 

“Fortune favors the brave. History tells us that businesses investing during tough times emerge successfully,“ said Jeff Wadsworth, Battelle president and CEO.

In West Jefferson, Battelle planned to construct a new state-of-the-art health and life sciences research laboratory that will be up and running in 2011. 

In Dublin, Battelle planned to renew the lease and expand capabilities at its Blazer Parkway production facility to boost light-manufacturing capacity and increase production of key electronic components used for energy efficiency, the medical community and the U.S. military forces.

The investments will retain thousands of jobs and create about 200 new science and research jobs.  That was in addition to construction, renovation and modernization work. 

The jobs were expected to generate a total regional income of $75.5 million.

The Battelle business model is one that Lt. Gov. Lee Fisher said should be watched by all.

“I don’t know any environment, anywhere in the word that says you can cut your way into prosperity. You just can’t,“ Fisher said.

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