Gary Lands Hundreds of Jobs
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As a subscriber you can listen to articles at work, in the car, or while you work out. Subscribe NowA Chicago-based industrial furniture manufacturer is bringing hundreds of jobs to Gary. Edsal plans to hire around 300 workers and hopes to begin production in Lake County as early as next month. Gary leaders say the city beat out locations in Tennessee, Illinois, Pennsylvania and China for the expansion. Gary Economic Development Corp. Executive Director Bo Kemp says the city's location, transportation assets and available work force helped attract Edsal.
April 16, 2015
News Release
Gary, Ind. — Today, City of Gary officials announced the expansion of Edsal, an industrial furniture manufacturer, into the Gary area. Scheduled to be located at 700 Chase St. (Chicago Steel Building), company leaders estimate that nearly 300 jobs will be available to Gary residents over the next couple of months with some slated to start as soon as May.
“We are extremely excited to welcome Edsal to Gary and especially all of the job opportunities they are bringing with them,” said Mayor Karen Freeman-Wilson. “They heard my message loud and clear that Gary is open for business, and they took us up on the offer.”
Gary beat out sites in Tennessee, Illinois, Pennsylvania and China which were also in consideration for Edsal's expansion.
Located in Chicago, Edsal currently employs 1,500 workers. Growth and product demand created the need for expansion, and Gary's Economic Development Corporation (GEDC) worked with the owners of the Chicago Steel building and Edsal representatives to build an incentive package that would bring them to nearby Gary. Bo Kemp, Executive Director of the GEDC, led the negotiations.
“Gary is ripe for the manufacturing industry,” said Kemp. “We have the land, a willing workforce and incentives that we think will drive even more businesses and job opportunities into the city.”
Mitch Liss, Executive Vice-President and co-owner of Edsal, expressed his delight over the expansion project.
“Gary's location and related industries made it a logical choice for business expansion,” said Liss. “The key to this decision has been the city's willingness and ability to help alleviate the stress points in the expansion specifically the cost and the labor force.”
Second District Councilman Michael Protho attended the press conference to show support of a new business setting up shop in his district.
“I couldn't be more pleased,” said Protho. “This is a very big deal not only for my district but the entire city. It's a great sign of hope and proof that jobs are coming for our residents.”
The City will be partnering with several local organizations such as Calumet Township, WorkOne and the Urban League of NWI to promote and screen candidates for job opportunities to help Edsal recruit its needed employees. A job fair will be held Friday, May 8 at the Hudson and Campbell Fitness Center, 455 Mass. St in Gary from 10:00a.m. – 4:00p.m. For more information, call (219) 881-4386 or email jobs@ci.gary.in.us.
About Edsal
For more than 50 years, Edsal has been dedicated to providing companies with only the best quality storage systems and industrial furniture. Today, products marketed under the Edsal brand name have earned a substantial share of the market in every region of the country. For more information about Edsal, visit Edsal.com.
Source: City of Gary