NiSource, an Indiana-based energy company and the parent company of Columbia Gas, recently signed a 10-year lease for an office in New Albany.

The company acquired 43,000 square feet on the third floor of the Water’s Edge building on Walton Parkway in the New Albany International Business Park.

NiSource spokesman Mike Banas, said 80 to 90 employees would move from the NiSource/Columbia Gas offices in downtown Columbus to New Albany by early July as part of the company’s plan to separate the Columbia Pipeline Group from NiSource.

The Columbia Pipeline Group spinoff was announced last year by company officials. “The actual lease was entered into by NiSource Corporate Services Co. but will be transferred to Columbia Pipeline Group once it becomes an independent entity,” Banas said.

He said moving the Columbia Pipeline Group operations and employees to New Albany would not affect the other 850 jobs in Columbus.

“I want to reinforce that after the separation from NiSource, we will still have 800 some jobs in downtown Columbus,” Banas said. “Columbia Pipeline Group is headquartered in Houston, Texas, and will maintain this office in New Albany to support the company’s corporate-wide services, including information-technology, finance, human-resources, legal and supply-chain operations.”

New Albany spokesman Scott McAfee said the company would employ 150 people at the site, including the 80 to 90 coming from the Columbus office. Another 60 to 70 are expected to be hired as needed.

McAfee estimated the New Albany location’s payroll at $15 million.

Banas said company officials looked at several sites in and around Columbus, but they chose New Albany partly because the space was vacant and ready for the company to occupy.

“Our decision to locate to this facility included a variety of factors, including timing of the facility, design for maximum suitability to our operational needs, parking, proximity to the airport, ease of access and community amenities,” Banas said.

McAfee said the Columbia Pipeline Group is not receiving any incentives from the city for the move.

By Lori Wince
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