Hilliard-based e-Cycle last week was granted an extension on a state tax credit from the Ohio Tax Credit Authority, but the company still is deciding whether to move its operations to New Albany.

E-Cycle officials said last week they have not yet decided if the technology-recycling company will move to New Albany, which has offered income-tax credit incentive packages.

"Right now, we are still in negotiations in a lot of things between Hilliard and New Albany, so we're probably looking at another two months before we finalize what we're doing," said Paulie Anthony, the company's marketing director. "Right now, we're still looking at our options and have not made any concrete decision on whether we're moving part, all or any of our operations to New Albany."

E-Cycle's corporate offices and distribution center are on Leap Road in Hilliard. The company is considering moving one or both of the facilities to New Albany, said Jennifer Chrysler, New Albany's community development director.

"We have a wonderful working relationship with both communities," company co-founder Tonia Irion said. "We're excited about our growth and the ability to add jobs to the central Ohio community."

The Ohio Tax Credit Authority on Aug. 27 approved a six-year extension of the company's 40 percent income tax credit, originally granted in July 2009. The extension increases the credit to 55 percent over the next 11 years.

The company has agreed to invest an additional $1.5 million in facilities, to create 233 new jobs and retain 17 existing jobs.

The credit requires the company to remain at its current location for 12 years, but state officials say that could change.

"If the company were to relocate, they would need to notify the negatively affected community and the (Ohio) Tax Credit Authority," said Stephanie Mennecke, spokeswoman for the Ohio Department of Development. "It would then come to a vote and ultimately an amendment for the location to change to keep the incentives active."

New Albany City Council on Aug. 21 approved two incentive packages for e-Cycle:

* A 10 percent income-tax credit on 48 new jobs created if the company moves its corporate office to New Albany.

* A 15 percent income-tax credit on 183 new jobs created if the company moves both its corporate office and distribution center to New Albany.

Hilliard Economic Development Director David Meeks said Hilliard has made a counteroffer, which includes extending an eight-year, 25 percent income-tax credit three years to 2020 and lifting a lease-renewal stipulation in that original agreement.

"They're on fire and experiencing a lot of growth," he said. "They've been a great corporate citizen (since they opened in 2010 at 4105 Leap Road) and met or exceeded all the targets (of the Hilliard economic-incentive agreement)."

Meeks said the company has a few options.

"There isn't a lot of room to expand (at its current location), but it remains possible we can find a way to meet all their needs in Hilliard," he said. "But they also could move the corporate office to New Albany and leave operations here, or vice versa."

E-Cycle buys mobile phones and other mobile devices from businesses and erases stored data. It disposes of or recycles the devices in "developing countries where the technologies are valued and needed," according to the company's website.

ThisWeek reporter Kevin Corvo contributed to this story.