American Greetings Gets $1.25 Million From State

American Greetings has received its final $1.25 million payment from the State of Ohio that was part of its deal to stay in the state.

State representative Tom Patton (R-Strongsville) announced Tuesday that the State Controlling Board has released the money, which was a Legacy Projects grant. The first $1.25 million payment was released in November 2011.

The final payment was approved at a meeting of the State Controlling Board on Sept. 10.

The request from the Ohio Department of Development said, "As a result of the project and State assistance provided, American Greetings will retain 1,750 at-risk, existing, full-time jobs in the City of Westlake. Based on the number of at-risk, existing, full-time jobs retained, the average cost of Legacy Grant assistance is approximately $1,428 per job."

In addition to the Legacy Projects grant, the Department of Development said that American Greetings is getting a 75 percent, 15-year Ohio Job Retention Tax Credit. The City of Westlake is slated to receive $1 million in a Roadwork Development Grant for infrastructure related to the project.

were approved at last week's City Council meeting. The current building plan is for 660,000 square feet -- 600,000 for American Greetings headquarters, 60,000 for retail space on the ground floor. A parking garage will also be built.

American Greetings announced in May of 2011 it would be from its current location in Brooklyn to the southeastern end of .

Income tax revenue in Westlake is for the next five years in Westlake largely because of American Greetings' move here.