Health insurer Aetna plans to add 350 jobs in central Ohio as part of an expansion in New Albany.

The Ohio Tax Credit Authority on Monday approved state tax incentives for the project, which includes retaining 957 jobs in New Albany.

The project was one of six to be approved; they are to create 656 jobs statewide and retain 1,365 others. The projects are to result in new payroll of $35 million and investments of $30 million.

Aetna declined to comment on the project in New Albany, saying a formal announcement is expected next week.

Aetna plans a new office in New Albany to accommodate growth, according to the state.

The new jobs will have an annual payroll of $14.2 million. The tax incentives have an estimated value of $1.4 million.

Also receiving approval for state tax incentives was a plan by Central Machinery to expand in Marion.

The project is projected to add 55 jobs, with hiring expected to start this summer. The company has 54 workers.

The family-owned manufacturer performs laser cutting, robotic and manual welding, stamping and other work.

It plans a 30,000-square-foot expansion of the facility at 1339 E. Fairground Road and will invest $8.6 million.

“The strong workforce in Marion and in the Columbus region as a whole has helped fuel our company’s ongoing growth,” said Rod Galbreath, the company’s president, in a statement. “This investment will enable us to upgrade our capabilities and provide the much-needed expansion for this phase of our growth.”

The tax credits have an estimated value of $325,000.

By Mark Williams
From The Columbus Dispatch