The La Porte County Council approved preliminary plans to grant Heartland Footwear a tax abatement.
The county will hold a public hearing before their next scheduled meeting on the matter. Then, the Heartland Footwear tax abatement will have to be officially approved at the next county council meeting.
La Porte County Economic Development Director Matt Reardon said this would create up to 52 jobs with about $2.2 million in salaries. He said having this manufacturing company would be better than having an empty building.
With hesitation by Councilman Jeff Santana to grant Heartland a 10-year tax abatement plan, Councilman Matt Bernacchi said this abatement could create more jobs.
Heartland Footwear is expected to be moving their shoe manufacturing business to La Porte County in the near future.
The business, currently located in Pocahontas, Ark., will being relocating their production to Rolling Prairie in the existing O’Tech Corporation building.
O’Tech is located at 4744 E. Oaknoll Road, between U.S. 20 and Ind. 2. It is a supplier business to Heartland Footwear.
Heartland produces rubber and polymer based waterproof footwear that is distributed worldwide.
The County Council meeting for December has been canceled and the next meeting will be held in January 2014.
http://www.heraldargus.com/articles/2013/11/26/news/local/doc5294156217743494580394.txt
