Expansions Planned in Fort Wayne
(image courtesy of Harris Corporation
Subscriber Benefit
As a subscriber you can listen to articles at work, in the car, or while you work out. Subscribe NowSeveral companies in Fort Wayne are looking to the Fort Wayne City Council for approval of tax abatement requests related to proposed expansions. Among them is a $7.5 million investment by Silverado Cook Properties LLC to nearly double the size of its 240,000 square-foot facility which houses nearly 500 Harris Corp. (NYSE: HRS) jobs.
The facility at 1919 W. Cook Road houses a number of tenants, including the Florida-based company. Silverado spokesman Andrew Norton tells the News-Sentinel that the expansion, which would add 200,000 square feet of space, would retain those jobs and allow Harris to expand if necessary.
However, Harris spokesperson Kristin Jones tells Inside INdiana Business there are no current plans for the company to expand its operations at the facility. She says the building owner’s efforts to expand the facility’s footprint are unrelated to Harris’ work.
Silverado is seeking a 10-year, $1.27 million tax abatement for the project. The company has begun construction on a 25,000 square-foot lab facility, according to the publication, and has plans to build more additions and make site improvements. Construction is expected to be complete in January, according to documents filed with the city.
The council will also consider a three-year, $51,000 tax abatement request from Apollo Plaza Ltd., which is planning to invest $750,000 to construct a 20,000 square-foot building and add 24 jobs. The facility would consist of eight units offering manufacturing and warehouse space for startup businesses. If approved, construction could begin this month and be complete in November.
Paul A. Walters LLC in Fort Wayne is looking to invest $4 million to build two buildings for manufacturing purposes, with construction beginning this month. The company says the project would result in six new full-time jobs and one part-time position. The council will consider five-year real and personal property tax abatements totaling more than $300,000.
Finally, Fort Wayne-based Deister Concentrator LLC is planning to invest $428,000 to add 11,000 square-feet of warehouse and production space to its existing facility. The company says the investment will create five full-time positions and two part-time jobs. The council will consider a five-year, $44,000 tax abatement.
The Fort Wayne City Council will meet Tuesday to consider the expansion projects.