Global Packaging Manufacturer Selects Muncie as Second U.S. Plant Location

Global packaging manufacturer CANPACK will build its second U.S.-based, state-of-the-art aluminum beverage can body manufacturing plant in Muncie, creating over time approximately 345 high-paying, local jobs by 2023.

The proposed project, which represents a $380 million investment in Delaware County and the State of Indiana with the potential to expand to 425 jobs and $490 million by 2025, will be located on 139 acres of land on the southwest corner of South Cowan and West Fuson Roads in Monroe Township in Muncie. Construction of the 862,000-square-foot facility is expected to begin in mid-2021. Plant operation is slated to commence in the fourth quarter of 2022.

For more information, visit Muncie-Delaware County Economic Development Alliance.

NTN announces $58 million expansion in Anderson

NTN Driveshaft, which first began operations in Anderson in 2017, has announced a $58 million expansion of its local facility.The expansion will create 140 new jobs at the facility with an annual payroll of $5.4 million, plus benefits. The average wage is expected to be $18.89 per hour.

Two companies announce expansions in Richmond

DAK Americas LLC, an Alpek Polyester Business, is expanding with a $32 million investment. The PET recycling company will also hire 30 new full-time employees with an average wage of $20.89 by the end of 2021.

Holland Colours Americas, Inc., a producer of colorants for the plastics industry, will expand operations by adding a new product line. The company plans to invest $1.66 million and create 20 new full-time jobs.

OCRA awards several rural communities with federal grant funds

Lt. Governor Suzanne Crouch and the Indiana Office of Community and Rural Affairs awarded 21 rural Hoosier communities with more than $12.3 million in federal grant funding.

Of the Hoosier communities to receive funding, the east central Indiana communities were Randolph County with $500,000 to renovate the Jay-Randolph Developmental Services building, the city of Union City with $600,000 for drainage improvements, the city of Alexandria with $700,000 for wastewater system improvements and the town of Eaton with $600,000 for drinking water system improvements.

Five local businesses invest $268 million in Anderson

Four existing business expansions and a new company that located in Anderson will eventually create 192 employment opportunities. The investment into the local economy by the five businesses amounted to $268.7 million. The largest business expansion announced in 2019 was a $200 million investment by Nestle USA that will create an additional 30 jobs.

The Anderson City Council gave preliminary approval to provide a 70% tax abatement for seven years for the expansion of the Anderson plant. The council will consider final approval of the requested tax abatement on Thursday. The more than $200 million Nestle USA investment is for the purchase and installation of new equipment.

The new investment is expected to create 30 jobs with an annual payroll of $2.25 million. The average hourly wage is $36.06 with benefits.

Nestle first announced it was locating in Anderson in 2006 with an initial investment of $359 million and the creation of 300 jobs. This is the fifth expansion of its Anderson facilities. Since locating in Anderson Nestle has invested approximately $1 billion in its facilities and employs more than 800 people.

Sirmax opened its North American headquarters in Anderson in 2016 and started production in 2017. At the plant’s dedication on the former Guide property, it was announced the company was planning to expand. In March, Sirmax acquired S.E.R., which specializes in the recycling of plastics. S.E.R. is purchasing 35 acres south of the Sirmax property along Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Boulevard.

The Italian-based company is investing an additional $17.6 million in the Anderson facility. The facility will be approximately 130,000 square feet and the company expects to create 38 new jobs with an annual payroll of $1.3 million plus benefits. The new jobs will be phased in with the first 25 jobs being created by September 2020.

The new facility will produce a high-quality plastic product following a recycling and extrusion process that is similar to that produced by Sirmax. Sirmax North America made an initial investment of $25.6 million in the Anderson headquarters.

The company purchased 26 acres on the former Guide Corp. property on Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Boulevard near the intersection with 25th Street. The company currently has 40 employees. Employment is expected to reach 50 in 2020.

Italpollina announced last year an investment of $6.8 million for the construction of a new research and development center that will eventually employ an additional seven people. The average hourly wage is expected to be $38.46.

Italpollina opened its production facility in Anderson in 2017 following a $10 million investment. The facility employs 38 people just to the west of the Purdue Polytechnic Institute.

NTK Precision Axle made an initial investment of $98 million in Anderson in 2018 creating 198 jobs. This past year the company invested an additional $47 million in equipment transferred from its Frankfort facility. The new equipment is expected to create an additional 100 jobs.

Through the collaboration between MOFAB and Barrett Bates, the company located Forged Alliance in the former Pay Less building on Broadway. The new company is expected to create 17 new jobs with an investment of $1 million.

By Ken de la Bastide

For more information, visit The Herald Bulletin.

Crouch announces 21 communities to receive more than $12 million

Lt. Governor Suzanne Crouch and the Indiana Office of Community and Rural Affairs announced that 21 rural Hoosier communities will receive more than $12.3 million in federal grant funding.

“I’m thrilled to kick off the new year by awarding these 21 rural communities with over $12 million in grant funding that will take them to even greater levels,” said Lt. Governor Crouch. “This funding will support projects that are crucial to their continued economic development efforts, and will ultimately improve the quality of life for residents throughout the community.”

The state of Indiana distributes Community Development Block Grant funds to rural communities to assist units of local government with various community projects such as: infrastructure improvement, downtown revitalization, public facilities and economic development.

“This was the first round to fully utilize the new Indiana Electronic Grants Management System as announced last year by Lt. Governor Crouch,” said Jodi Golden, Executive Director of OCRA. “This new system has streamlined the application and funds distribution process and we are excited for how it will continue to help us improve the quality of life for Hoosiers across the state.”

The first round of the 2020 CDBG program begins on February 24, 2020, with proposals due on April 3 at 4 p.m. ET and final applications due May 22 at 4 p.m. ET.

For more information, visit www.in.gov/ocra/cdbg.htm.

Main Street Revitalization Program

The Main Street Revitalization Program encourages communities with eligible populations to focus on long-term community development efforts. Eligible applicants have a designated active Indiana Main Street group in their community, and the project must be a part of the Main Street’s overall strategy. Main Street Revitalization Program projects include streetscapes, facade renovations and downtown infrastructure rehabilitation.

The City of Logansport is awarded $600,000 for a façade improvement project. This project will restore the façades of 8 buildings in the two designated historic districts within the city’s Main Street district. The project will address blighted building conditions, restore original and historical façade features and create a more aesthetic appearance within the Main Street district to improve quality of place.

The Town of Remington is awarded $600,000 for a streetscape project. This project replaces sidewalks and curbs along North and South Railroad Street with decorative crosswalks and sidewalks which connect parking areas to local businesses. Both North and South Railroad Street will be repaved, and additional seating areas will be added around the Remington Depot, as well as street trees and improved pedestrian crossings.

Public Facilities Program

The goals of the Public Facilities Program is to improve quality of place, generate jobs and spur economic revitalization through improving community facilities or historic preservation projects. Eligible community facilities include fire stations, community centers, daycares, libraries, museums, senior centers and performance spaces.

The Town of Birdseye is awarded $500,000 to build a new fire station. The new 5,150 square foot station will provide an increase of 1,691 square feet and will include HVAC, plumbing and electrical systems as well as a large concrete pad on the east side of the building to pull the vehicles out of the building.

The Town of Kentland is awarded $500,000 to construct a new 6,673 square foot fire station to serve Jefferson Township and the Town of Kentland. This station will have five double drive-through bays, another bay for the department’s equipment and will feature office space, training and meeting rooms, shower facilities and a mezzanine level for storage and exercise equipment.

The Town of Mecca is awarded $500,000 to rehabilitate the town’s fire station. The project will repurpose the current 3,450 square foot truck bay space into a multi-functional space for training, running reports and a community gathering place. Also, additions to the building will include locker room space and two drive through truck bays with two back-in truck bays totaling 3,262 square feet.

Randolph County is awarded $500,000 to renovate the Jay-Randolph Developmental Services building. This facility, which provides residential, community and center-based services for people with disabilities, will build an addition to include an ADA accessible kitchenette with sinks, stoves and client cabinets. Some exterior renovations, such as adding a handicap ramp and canopy for entry and exit along with some site demolition, will also be completed. Finally, facility restrooms will be relocated and improved to better accommodate clients and allow space for staff members to assist as needed.

Wabash County is awarded $500,000 to renovate the former Wabash Plain Dealer Newspaper building to serve as a community thrift store and house the following non-profit organizations: Wabash Lighthouse Missions, Advantage Housing of Wabash County, 85 Hope and FISH of Wabash. This multi-use facility will feature medical examinations rooms, a locked pharmacy storage room, counseling suites, ADA restrooms, dressing rooms and a covered donation area.

Stormwater Improvement Program

The Stormwater Improvement Program strives to reduce flooding, to cut stormwater treatment and energy costs, to protect rivers, lakes and vital landscape and generate jobs to spur economic revitalization. Types of activities that are eligible for this grant funding include stormwater improvements, as well as demolition and/or clearance.

The Town of Chandler is awarded $600,000 for drainage improvements. This project will install two stormwater detention facilities to offset the burden on the existing stormwater infrastructure. The proposed work for both facilities will include approximately 3.9 acres of clearance, 3,550 cubic yards of stripping, 9,350 cubic yards of excavation and two new outlet structures along with erosion control and seeding.

The City of Ligonier is awarded $450,000 for drainage improvements. This project will replace existing deteriorated storm drainage lines and inlets in order to eliminate the ponding of surface water and sanitary sewer back-up issues currently being faced by residents. Approximately 2,173 lineal feet of new storm drainage lines will be added along with 16 new inlets and standard manhole castings.

The City of Union City is awarded $600,000 for drainage improvements. This project will remove and replace 23 catch basins and remove and replace approximately 775 lineal feet of storm sewers along Clifford Street. Along Columbia Street, an eight inch PVC or polyethylene liner will be installed in an existing eight-inch storm sewer line. Finally, the project will include the addition of six concrete storm manholes along with eight-catch basins.

Wastewater Drinking Water Program

The goals of the Wastewater Drinking Water Program are to protect the health and environment, reduce utility rates for low-to-moderate income communities and improve rural infrastructure to enable long-term economic growth. Eligible Wastewater Drinking Water Program projects include many aspects of wastewater improvements and drinking water system improvements.

The Town of Advance is awarded $700,000 for wastewater system improvements. The project will install various improvements to the Town’s municipal wastewater utility, including treatment plant upgrades and replacements. In addition, both of the lift stations will be upgraded and 6,600 lineal feet of sewer lateral segments will also be replaced.

The City of Alexandria is awarded $700,000 for wastewater system improvements. The project includes building a new 1,200 square foot climate-controlled building to protect the chemical feed system and bulk storage tank. The new building will have a spill containment curb inside, HVAC equipment, two overhead doors, a manual security entry door, electrical and instrumental controls and fixtures. Additional improvements include replacing the clarifier drive assembly, replacing the center torque tube and scraper arms, installing two weir panels and clarifier trough replacements along with a sandblast and paint bridge.

The Town of Brookville is awarded $600,000 for sewer line system improvements. The project will cover the relocation of the gravity sewer on Progress Street and the rehabilitation of the wastewater treatment plant’s west clarifier. The work on Progress Street involves demolishing the existing sanitary sewer and installing new PVC lines west of the current line, excavating existing fill soils until native soils are encountered and replacement with soils similar to the native soils to provide stability. The rehabilitation of the west clarifier will involve replacement of the weirs, weir troughs, support brackets and scaffolding rehabilitation.

The Town of Carlisle is awarded $600,000 for drinking water system improvements. The project will upgrade the town’s water treatment facility, to include replacing the existing gallon per minute package treatment units along with structural improvements to the building’s HVAC system, electrical wiring?system? need another word here and emergency backup generator system. Also, new high service pump motors and variable frequency drives will be installed, as well as new pressure and flow instrumentation devices.

The Town of Eaton is awarded $600,000 for drinking water system improvements. The project will be inserting 37 valves on the asbestos pipe on both sides of the intersection and installing a new C900 main water line between the valves. Specifically, 690 linear feet of granular back fill will be added along with 665 linear feet of water main. Five cross fittings will also be installed as well as nine clamps and sleeves, 15 tap and corporation stops and an additional 600 linear feet of water service line.

The Town of Glenwood is awarded $250,663 for wastewater system improvements. The project will install a premanufactured building at the entrance of the wastewater lagoon. Once built, the building will house two new chemical feed pumps to supply chemicals to the wastewater prior to reaching the lagoons. A new panel board for general equipment operational purposes will be installed along with 400 feet of wastewater service line and 433 feet of chemical feed piping to reach the lagoons.

The City of Martinsville is awarded $700,000 for drinking water system improvements to the supply and treatment plant as well as to the distribution system. The supply and treatment plant improvements will consist of drilling three new wells, renovating the interior of the existing treatment facility building and constructing a new facility. The distribution system improvements will consist of replacing approximately 11,200 linear feet of high priority water mains with approximately 80 isolation valves, 80 hydrants and replacing the Hacker Creek Booster Station with new electrical components.

The Town of Milltown is awarded $700,000 for wastewater system improvements. The project will improve the wastewater treatment plant by installing a new AeroMod type package plant, which contains most of the treatment operations into one tank. The existing digestors, headworks, clarifiers and oxidation ditch will be demolished.

The Town of Newport is awarded $700,000 for drinking water system improvements. The project will renovate the deteriorating infrastructure with the purpose of preventing a complete system failure. Renovations include: upgrading all the well disinfection facilities, back-up power and control; building a new well building, installing SCADA equipment, replacing the existing water treatment plant, along with replacing the booster station and existing ground storage tank.

The Town of Spencer is awarded $700,000 for sewer system improvements. The project will focus on the rehabilitation of the existing sewer mains and manholes with cured-in-place pipe lining and internal manhole coatings. Specifically, the cleaning, video measuring and removal of protruding laterals will be conducted and installation of approximately 8,400 linear feet of sewer mains as cured-in-place pipe will be performed. An internal manhole coating system will be added to rehabilitate the existing manholes and inflow dishes under manhole castings located in low lying and flood prone areas will be installed.

The City of Washington is awarded $700,000 for wastewater system improvements. The project will replace the wastewater treatment plant maintenance building. It will house the newly required chemical feed system along with new chemical storage and pumps.

January 9, 2020

Office of Community and Rural Affairs 

Cormo USA Inc. to plant first US production in Rushville

Cormo USA Inc., which utilizes technology to turn corn field waste into sustainable products, announced plans today to establish operations in Rushville, creating up to 250 new, high-wage jobs by the end of 2023.

“Indiana’s economy is increasingly global, and we are excited to welcome yet another international company to the Hoosier state,” Governor Eric J. Holcomb said. “With strong roots in agriculture and a flourishing tech sector, Indiana is the perfect destination for innovative companies like Cormo USA to locate as they work to develop and refine critical solutions.”The company, which was incorporated as a joint venture between Switzerland-based Cormo AG and Florida-based Sustainable Projects Group Inc. in 2018, will invest approximately $29.5 million to establish its first U.S. production plant in Indiana, constructing and equipping a state-of-the-art facility on 10 acres in the Commerce Park at Rushville.

The new facility, which the company plans to break ground on this summer, will process maize straw from up to 150,000 acres of corn fields each year into a 100 percent sustainable peat moss substitute (TEFA) for agricultural uses and into foam products (BABS) for material science uses. This patented process has been utilized at the company’s pilot plant in France since 2016.

Accutech Systems Plans Headquarters Expansion in Delaware County

Accutech Systems, a software company providing innovative wealth management solutions, announced plans today to expand its operations in Indiana, investing in a new headquarters facility in downtown Muncie. With this growth, the company will nearly double its Delaware County workforce, planning to reach at least 100 local employees by 2023.

“Indiana's tech community is on a roll thanks to the spirit and commitment of Hoosier entrepreneurs and innovators across the state," said Indiana Secretary of Commerce Jim Schellinger. "Companies like Accutech are not only helping advance our economy by developing new solutions with 21st century technology, they're also propelling our communities forward. With this announcement, it is clear that Accutech will be a true partner in enhancing the quality of place in the Muncie area and in supporting the continued momentum of Indiana’s tech industry and workforce."

The company, which offers state-of-the-art software solutions for the investment industry, will invest more than $5.5 million to purchase and redevelop a 40,000-square-foot facility in the 100 block of Walnut Street that has been underutilized for decades. The new space, which previously housed a Sears Department Store, will allow Accutech to increase and upgrade its technology and computer hardware in order to scale its workforce and develop new software and operations offerings for clients. The company plans to complete the build out and move into the new headquarters by the end of this year.