Inside BioTouch’s $12.5M expansion in Columbus. Who gets what from whom in the deal?
BioTouch, a health care logistics company based in West Haven, Connecticut, announced three weeks ago it will invest $12.5 million to expand its two kit manufacturing facilities in Columbus.
Now, the Ledger-Enquirer has obtained the inducement agreement documents signed between BioTouch and the Development Authority of Columbus.
Here is an inside look at the deal that promises to bring 480 new jobs to the Chattahoochee Valley.
What is an inducement agreement?
An inducement agreement is commonly signed when two parties formalize plans for a major economic development project. These documents outline the incentives offered, approvals granted and commitments each side makes.
The inducement agreement documents for this project were signed by Development Authority chairman Selvin Hollingsworth, Development Authority secretary Geniece Granville and representatives from BioTouch and Path-Tec, a subsidiary of BioTouch.
Who gives what to whom in the BioTouch Columbus deal?
According to the documents, the Development Authority agreed to issue bonds, or loans. The Development Authority fronted $12.5 million in bonds to help the company cover the cost of expanding both of its Columbus facilities.
The bonds being offered are industrial revenue bonds (IRBs), which are typically issued by a government entity to help provide capital to private businesses to stimulate economic development. Individual taxpayers are not responsible for the repayment of these bonds.
BioTouch is required to pay back the IRBs. The length of the repayment period is not disclosed in the inducement agreement. The interest rate for repayment is also not disclosed.
Details about the IRBs for this deal would be disclosed in a bond resolution, a document that authorizes the issuance of bonds and outlines their terms and conditions. The Ledger-Enquirer asked for a copy of the bond resolution, but the Development Authority did not provide it before publication.
BioTouch will create 480 jobs within the first three years of the project’s operation, according to the documents.
The agreement may terminate in 18 months if BioTouch does not begin the construction project. BioTouch can terminate the agreement at any time if the company provides a written notice and reimburses the Development Authority for any costs incurred.
This story was originally published December 24, 2025 at 5:00 AM.