From the Indianapolis Star:
Heartland Food Products and ConAgra Foods have asked for property tax abatements on two Indianapolis food factory expansions.
The expansions, both on the Northwestside, will create up to 210 jobs over the next several years.
Carmel-based Heartland wants an eight-year abatement worth $135,289 from the city for $20 million in improvements to its plant at 4635 W. 84th St. The leased 130,000-square-foot plant makes flavor enhancers and food sweeteners.
Heartland told the Metropolitan Development Commission that the expansion will increase its production and allow it to compete for more business. The plant employs 267 employees, and the expansion could create up to 151 new jobs by 2017, paying an average of $18 an hour, Heartland said.
ConAgra Foods also asked for city approval to assume the tax abatements given to a bakery ConAgra bought at 7575 Georgetown Road last year from Avon-based Harlan Bakeries. The Omaha, Neb.-based food giant paid $35 million to acquire the Harlan bakery, which was a ConAgra contract manufacturing site and produced pies, bread, cakes and nutrition bars, including Clif bars.
The plant now employs 540 full-time and 300 part-time and contract employees, and ConAgra said it aims to add about 60 more full-time employees, at an average wage of $10.24 an hour, in the next two years.
City planners recommended that the commission on Wednesday approve a four-year abatement to ConAgra worth $618,855. Harlan had received three previous tax abatements on the site that were slated to run through 2018.
http://www.indystar.com/story/money/2014/03/31/food-factories-seek-tax-abatements-help-expansions-northwestside/7123347/
