Two subsidiary units of Towne Properties, a property development company, are relocating to Batavia.

Spokesman Chris Bortz said he has bought the property at 500 Kent Road and should be in full operation before the end of 2012. He said the operating units, Towne Construction Services and TowneScapes, expect to begin operations with an annual payroll of about $2 million.

“Our estimated employment at the Kent Road location will start at approximately 60 seasonal and full-time employees,” Bortz said. “We have been experiencing rapid growth, and expect that number will grow significantly in the years to come.”

Towne Construction Services and TowneScapes are subsidiary units of Towne Properties, a leading Cincinnati property development company. Established in 1961 and based in Cincinnati’s Mt. Adams neighborhood, Towne led the renaissance of that neighborhood and has developed residential, office and commercial properties throughout the region. Towne has won numerous regional and national honors for excellence.

“We are very excited to move to our new location in Batavia,” Bortz said. “We have experienced rapid growth and are in desperate need of a site that will accommodate our existing operation and still provides room for continued expansion. Towne Properties has always been committed to community and to ‘Creating Great Places to Live, Work, Shop and Play.’ TowneScapes and Towne Construction Services are equally committed to that mission. We look forward to being an engaged and productive member of the Batavia community,” he said.

Batavia Mayor John Thebout welcomed the announcement.

“Towne is a company that has earned the highest respect for excellence, and we could not be happier than to have their affiliate companies locate in Batavia,” Thebout said.

The mayor said the news comes at a perfect time, fitting with the village’s renewal plans.

“Batavia’s annexation program will provide funds to restore the county seat and improve highway access, and having a desirable business and employer locate at Batavia’s west gate is just a wonderful thing to hear,” Thebout said.

“I think it’s great to see business returning to Batavia,” said Batavia Councilman Steve Staton. “This will be a great addition for the west end of town.”

Bortz said Towne is relocating the Batavia business units from Newtown.

The company is bringing its skilled and professional staff with it, but job opportunities will arise, he said.

“We are always on the lookout for skilled concrete finishers, stone masons and equipment operators,” Bortz said. “Our door is always open for people with a positive attitude and a commitment to professionalism, quality and customer service.”

He said Towne Construction Services and TowneScapes were launched in 2004, initially specializing in design and installation of decorative and stamped concrete for residential applications, including driveways, patios and pool decks. He said the decorative concrete business has expanded to include landscape design and installation, natural stone masonry, concrete pavers, and outdoor living spaces.

“In 2010, we expanded into commercial site construction, including excavation, underground utilities, site concrete, foundations, footings and asphalt,” Bortz said.

“Our goal is to be fully moved and operational at the Kent Road location by December 1st,” he said.

Bortz said Towne will use the existing building, constructed in 1986 for an auto dealership, and some of the exterior space, and that the 22.6-acre site will provide space for expansion and for lease to other businesses.

“We are having conversations with other businesses interested in leasing some of the paved area, though we have not yet finalized those plans. We have talked with a stone supplier, an Amish Barn retailer, and a few others,” he said.

Records in the Clermont County Auditor’s Office report that the company 500 Kent St., LLC, paid $525,000 for the property, acquiring it from Plumb Properties of Clermont County, Ltd. Bortz said 500 Kent St., LLC, is his company.

Former Clermont County Commissioner and Batavia Township Trustee Archie Wilson is part owner of Plumb Properties. The Stone Source, which specialized in decorative granite and marble, was the last operating business there. Granite Investment Co. bought the site in 2001 for $1.15 million and sold it to Plumb Properties in 2010 for $500,000.