Construction is continuing on the new headquarters for CBT in Columbia Township as the company plans to move at least 120 jobs from Cincinnati later this year.
And with CBT’s move, questions are emerging about whether the city did enough to convince the company to stay within its borders.
The move is a big deal for Columbia Township, which stands to gain about $100,000 a year in earnings taxes from the jobs, administrator Michael Lemon said. That money equals about 2.4 percent of the township’s annual budget.
“It’s a very well-respected company,” Lemon said. “We’re very excited about them coming. They’ve got extraordinary owners and leaders. They’ve been an absolute delight to work with.”
CBT wants to open the new operation at 5500 Ridge Ave. by July 1, Lemon said. The company, which was founded in 1921, is currently in Queensgate at 737 W. Sixth St.
City Councilman Chris Seelbach said Friday he has asked Mayor John Cranley’s administration to provide details on the circumstances that led to the company’s exit from Cincinnati.
Seelbach said he sent a congratulatory message to the company learning it received an award. In a handwritten reply sent in November, CBT President James Stahl Jr. hinted the city staff members didn’t do enough to help keep it in Cincinnati.
“CBT approached the city of Cincinnati about helping us stay in Queensgate where he have been since 1988,” the letter said. “We were told by several individuals there is nothing the city could do and wished us good luck. Obviously we were shocked and disappointed.”
Stahl couldn’t be reached for further comment Friday. City officials with knowledge about CBT’s plans couldn’t be reached for comment Friday.
Seelbach said working to get information isn’t designed to be a witch hunt, but to better understand what happened.