Manufacturer applies for tax credits for Springfield project

An Eaton-based manufacturer has applied for tax credit assistance for a new project in Springfield.

Silfex Inc., a custom silicon and manufacturing company, has applied for credits for a Springfield project, according to an agenda for the Ohio Tax Credit Authority. The board is scheduled to meet Wednesday, Aug. 29, to discuss whether it will award the credits to Silfex along with other companies throughout Ohio.

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Neither officials from the company or staff at the Chamber of Greater Springfield returned calls seeking comment Tuesday.

“The Ohio Tax Credit Authority is a five-member, independent board consisting of taxation and economic development professionals throughout the state who are responsible for reviewing and approving applications for tax credit assistance,” according to the agenda. “The authority also has oversight responsibilities that include monitoring and reporting the progress of approved tax credit projects.”

The meeting is at 10 a.m. Wednesday at the Vern Riffe Center in Columbus. More details are expected to be provided at the meeting.

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Silfex headquarters is the world’s largest custom silicon-growing facility, according to the company’s web site, and provides services including prototyping and manufacturing of low-volume components and assemblies.

According to its web page, Silfex was formerly known as Bullen Semiconductor, a family-run business that started about 30 years ago. Lam Research Corp., one of Bullen’s major customers, purchased the firm’s silicon growing and fabrication capability in 2006.

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The company’s website says Silfex provides silicon products for the solar, optical and semiconductor equipment markets.

According to information from the Ohio Tax Credit Authority, the Springfield project is one of eight items to be reviewed. The agenda also includes a project in which Amazon is seeking state tax credits for separate projects in Warren and Cuyahoga counties.

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Amazon didn’t return a request for comment with more details. The city of Monroe and the Warren County Port Authority also did not return requests for more information about the scope of what the company is proposing.

The giant Seattle-based conglomerate worth more than $500 billion has expanded well beyond its early beginnings as the go-to place to buy books online, rapidly branching into everything from alcohol delivery to data storage to the organic grocery business to even brick-and-mortar book stores.

The potential Amazon project could mean more direct jobs with Amazon, other businesses benefiting from Amazon presence, and a boost to neighboring colleges, said Shu Schiller, chair of Wright State University’s department of information systems and supply chain management.

Amazon has already been hiring thousands and planning to invest billions into Ohio and northern Kentucky.


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