The proposed multimillion dollar expansion at Albanese Confectionery would create 60 new jobs at the business by the end of 2016, according to the city.
Albanese has submitted 10-year real estate and personal property tax abatement requests, which received initial approval during Wednesday's City Council meeting.
The matter requires a public hearing, which will occur May 7. Following the public hearing, the city can take final action on the tax abatement requests.
Albanese plans to add more than 190,000 square feet to its facility on U.S. 30 near Grand Boulevard.
Denarie Kane, the city's director of development, said the estimated cost of construction is about $12 million.
James Dragon, director of engineering at Albanese, said the company currently has two production lines. A goal of the expansion is to have a third line operational next year.
Albanese would purchase millions of dollars in new manufacturing equipment to increase its production.
Dragon said the addition to the facility will be large enough to house more production expansion in future years.
Approval of the tax abatement requests would come with the condition that Albanese would establish a project labor agreement with the Northwestern Indiana Building & Construction Trades Council regarding the amount of union labor used during construction.
...
