By Ken Alltucker
Enquirer staff writer

The state of Ohio would give Dell Products Corp. a $2.9 million corporate earnings tax credit, if the computer maker establishes a West Chester distribution center.

Ohio Tax Credit Authority this week approved the 70 percent, 10-year credit for Dell to build a $15.4 million distribution center for the Round Rock, Texas-based company's software and peripherals division.

Dell is considering locations in multiple states for a distribution center to serve the East Coast, where 70 percent of the company's customers are located, a company spokeswoman said.

The Dell center would create 665 full-time jobs that pay an hourly average wage of $11 and benefits, according to the Ohio Department of Development.

West Chester Township development officials are also considering an enterprise zone tax break for Dell, but township trustees and Butler County commissioners aren't expected to vote on the proposal until next month.

West Chester's preliminary offer calls for a 60 percent tax abatement on property and equipment over seven years.

The deal also would require that Dell pay a fee to West Chester's school districts in lieu of property taxes, Economic Development Director Melissa Koehler said.

Koehler said Dell has narrowed its West Chester search to one existing warehouse. She signed a confidentiality agreement that prevents her from identifying the site.

Ohio development officials say that Dell would spend $5 million to improve the facility and another $10.4 million for new equipment.

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E-mail kalltucker@enquirer.com