By Erica Solvig
The Cincinnati Enquirer

HAMILTON TWP. - An international manufacturing company might expand its facility in this booming Warren County township if the county gives them an economic incentive. It could mean hundreds of new jobs.

The county commissioners will discuss today giving Sumitomo Mitsubishi Silicon Group (SUMCO) a 10-year personal property tax abatement. The agreement has already been approved by Hamilton Township and the Little Miami School District.

The company is considering consolidating some of its U.S. operations, and is eyeing this location to do it at, according to spokeswoman Janet Clark. It could bring upwards of 320 new jobs, nearly double the current number of employees.

"Once we know for sure whether those enterprise zone benefits come through, then we'll forward that information to our parent company in Japan," Clark said. "They'll make the final decision on whether we'll consolidate our manufacturing operations."

The company makes silicon wafers, which are the foundation that integrated circuits and computer chips are applied to. They have 15 plants worldwide, including six in the United States.

Should the county approve the tax abatement, SUMCO would pay 25 percent of the taxes on personal property over 10 years. That includes about $50 million worth of new machinery and equipment and about $6 million worth of inventory, said Karen Garrett, director of economic development in Warren County.

SUMCO is expected to make a decision on the consolidation by late November, Clark said.

E-mail esolvig@enquirer.com