Local and state leaders in rural Sidney, Ohio, enthusiastically welcomed SemCorp Manufacturing USA LLC in 2022, hailing the Chinese company’s commitment to invest nearly $916 million and create up to 1,199 jobs by 2027. Only problem is, they fell short of creating those jobs and they are importing foreign labor.
The company, which produces lithium-ion battery separator film at its facility in the Sidney Ohio Industrial Park, received preliminary approval for state tax credits worth up to $22.7 million tied to those job and investment targets.
Ohio Governor Mike DeWine publicly praised the project as a significant boost for the region. However, SemCorp never fully executed its tax credit agreement with the Ohio Department of Development. On June 1, 2026, the Ohio Tax Credit Authority voted to cancel the incentives entirely.
Ohio Chief Communications Officer Mason Waldvogel confirmed the decision, stating: “SEMCORP never executed its tax credit agreement with the Department of Development. As a result, the Ohio Tax Credit Authority voted on June 1, 2026, to cancel the tax credit. Because Ohio’s Job Creation Tax Credit is a performance-based incentive, companies must meet specific commitments before receiving any benefit and an agreement must be executed. Without an agreement, SEMCORP did not receive its tax credit.”
The company has also drawn attention for its hiring practices. It has filed I-129 L petitions to bring in foreign workers, including Chinese nationals. Visitors to the site have reported seeing a large number of Asian employees, with some housed in on-site accommodations behind the factory. Witnesses described company vans transporting workers from the plant to nearby housing and local motels, including airport pickups.
At the local level, Sidney approved a Community Reinvestment Area (CRA) agreement with SemCorp in November 2023. City officials say the company remains in compliance with that agreement for one project.
A separate Enterprise Zone (EZ) agreement for another parcel, however, faces potential termination. Sidney Community Development Director Barbara Dulworth said: “A CRA Agreement was approved by Sidney City Council in November 2023. Semcorp Manufacturing USA is currently in compliance with the provisions of the CRA Agreement. To clarify, Semcorp Manufacturing USA also has an EZ Agreement for a different project on a different parcel of land. City Council will be considering termination of the EZ Agreement later this year due to non-performance: the proposed development/construction was not commenced or completed within the project timeframe.”
The situation in Sidney underscores the risks of performance-based economic development deals, where projected jobs and investments do not always materialize as announced. The SemCorp facility is bringing in foreigner workers, while not living up to its own commitment to the community.
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5 Responses
Good! The Chinese are much better workers than white trash American workers who are covered in tats, drunk on beer, and high from vaping odors 🙂
The Chinese need to produce those batteries (which will be mandated by Trump) and get most of America into electric cars as parts houses close, junkyards burn from dew weapons, and right to repair protections are removed from US i.c.e. vehicles. This is why the fake war with Iran was started, to get gas prices so high that no one can afford to drive. It has already taken a huge toll on average Americans despite the Trump trolls on here who still stand by the Orange Clown no matter how much things cost.
Serves them right, they trusted a CHINK
they did the same shid in georgia with a new battery plant, instead of chinese it was south koreans.
Ice went in there and arrested / deported hundreds of them, they had wrong visas
And people in the truth movement still think Trump and Musk are on our side, even though they’ve been importing more poop throwers into our country.
What a joke!
What an absolute retard take. This article is about a local issue, not a federal issue.