Explanation
BACKGROUND: The need exits to amend Ordinance 1871-2026 (the “ORDINANCE”), approved by Columbus City Council (“COUNCIL”) on June 29, 2026. The ORDINANCE authorized the Director of the Department of Development to enter into a City of Columbus Enterprise Zone Agreement (the “AGREEMENT”) on the behalf of the City of Columbus (“CITY”) with West-Ward Columbus Inc. and Hikma Pharmaceuticals USA Inc. (“Hikma”), (collectively, and hereinafter referred to as “ENTERPRISE”) for a tax abatement of seventy-five percent (75%) for a period of ten (10) consecutive years in consideration of a proposed capital investment of approximately $92,000,000.00 in real property improvements and $123,700,000.00 in machinery and equipment. The investment in real property improvements include the construction of a new 131,000 square foot pharmaceutical storage and distribution facility as well as a 40,000 square foot expansion to the existing facility (the “PROJECT) at 1809 Wilson road, Columbus, Ohio 43228, Parcel No. 560-138818 (the “PROJECT SITE”). Additionally, Hikma committed to create fifty (50) net new full-time permanent positions with an associated annual payroll of approximately $3,000,000.00 (“New Employees”) and retain one-thousand two hundred twenty-four (1,224) full-time permanent positions with an associated estimated annual payroll of approximately $93,627,177.00 at the proposed PROJECT SITE, within the City of Columbus Enterprise Zone.
Prior to executing the AGREEMENT, the 90-day period needed to execute the City of Columbus Enterprise Zone Agreement expired. In a letter dated October 23, 2026 received by the CITY, and through ensuing correspondence, the ENTERPRISE confirmed that they are committed to the aforementioned PROJECT and is requesting the 90-day period be extended to execute the AGREEMENT.
The need now exists to amend the ORDINANCE. The ENTERPRISE is requesting the ORDINANCE be amended to revise the 90-day period needed to execute the AGREEMENT...
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