International Paper Co. will expand its Loveland technology center with an $11 million information technology building that will eventually employ up to 325.

        The Stamford, Conn.-based paper giant announced last spring it was considering the 46-acre Loveland technology campus, located just off Interstate 275 at Ward's Corner Road. The investment will include about 90 former employees of Champion International's Knightsbridge administrative center in Hamilton.

        IP acquired Champion in 2000. The new information technology center will also house about 65 employees of IP's xpedx paper distribution business now in Fort Wright. xpedx is headquartered in Covington. Another 230 jobs will be created at the Loveland facility to support information technology needs of IP's global business, officials said.

        “The ability to attract and employ qualified technical specialists, combined with the quality of life for our staff, made southwest Ohio a logical choice for our new Information Technology Center,” said Chris Scalet, IP's senior vice president and chief information officer.

        The company initially planned to relocate employees from its Memphis, Tenn. IT center to the Loveland facility, but officials said the Loveland center will now supplement its Memphis operations.

        The Loveland complex now employs 630. It includes a 182,000-square-foot paper and packaging design center and another 120,000-square-foot manufacturing technology center. The new IT center will be a two-story, 90,000-square-foot building, said Bob Baillie, facility manager.

        Previously IP won Ohio job creation tax credits, job training assistance and property tax abatements from Clermont County's Miami Township. The state Development Financing Advisory Council Monday will consider a $4 million low-interest construction loan.

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