12/29/11 Wednesday evening members of the Plymouth Common Council approved the first step in the two step process to obtain a tax abatement for Hoosier Tire and Rubber Corp. They declared a certain piece of real estate on PIDCO Drive to be within an economic revitalization area.
Jennifer Laurent, Executive Director of the Marshall County Economic Development Corporation explained that the project on the application “has been in the works and planning stages for some time.” She said the $8 million project is an expansion to incorporate a rubber mixing plant. In the short time the expansion will create 16 new jobs with consideration for more indirect employment in the future.
John DeSalle Vice President of Engineering and Manufacturing gave on overview of the project which includes a 37,000 square foot expansion of their current manufacturing facilities with operation expected to begin in November 2012. Hoosier will invest $2.7 million in real property and $5.6 million in personal property. DeSalle said one-third of rubber used in their manufacturing is made offsite in Akron, Ohio. This new rubber mixing plant triples their capacity making future expansions possible. He also said, “We a competent about our future…last year was quite good to us and this is a timely investment.” He continued by saying, “This is one of the largest single investments our company has made.” DeSalle closed his comments saying, “We have broken ground.” Equipment for the project should be delivered in June with installation to follow next summer.
Laurent and DeSalle also noted that NIPSCO was a partner in the project moving a electrical substation and expanding to meet their future electric needs.
