By Mike Boyer
The Cincinnati Enquirer

International Paper Co., which on Wednesday announced 3,000 job cuts worldwide, is expanding its technology center near Wards Corner in Miami Township.

The world's largest paper company said it would transfer 70 technical jobs to the three-building complex after closing its corporate research center in Tuxedo, N.Y.

The Wards Corner center, which opened in 1996, now employs 800.

The company said it would spend about $3 million to renovate the packaging development center at the site for added laboratory space.

The functions moving here from New York include the company's paper science group; its surface science group; product development and technical service for its printing and communication papers unit; intellectual property and patent counsel and analytical testing services.

IP said its coated products pilot plant will remain in Tuxedo.

The expansion is the latest of several at the Clermont County office park.

In 1997, IP opened a manufacturing technology center at the site after closing engineering operations in Mobile, Ala.

Last year, the third building, an Information Technology Center, opened.

And in March this year, IP's xpedx paper distribution headquarters was moved from Covington.

IP said the worldwide job cuts, representing 3.5 percent of its workforce, are part of an effort to cut $1.5 billion in costs. The cuts, to be completed by the end of 2004, include 450 jobs at its Stamford, Conn., headquarters.

E-mail mboyer@enquirer.com