BUSINESS BUZZ
eastern U.S. The 20,000 square-foot building houses a variety of equipment; including air chain hoists in capacities up to 25 tons, modular spreader beams in capacities up to 170 tons, and thousands of other rigging and hoisting products. “This new facility will increase the availability of equipment for our customer’s rental needs. It will also offer equipment not yet seen in the Florida market” said Brad Weiss, Regional Sales Manager.
CVB Launches New Brand The LaPorte County Convention & Visitors Bureau has launched a new logo and branding campaign aimed at boosting LaPorte County as “Chicago’s Northern Indiana relaxing escape.” The new brand identity was developed by Believable Brands, Inc., a Californiabased brand advisory company specializing in branding strategies for municipalities and destinations. The company has developed brands for more than 15 communities in the United States, including Door County, WI, Hilton Head Island, SC and Charlotte, NC. The LPCCVB’s fresh efforts tout the county’s easy accessibility from Chicago via I-80/90 and I-94; its coastal and lakeside scenic settings, including the Indiana Dunes National Lakeshore Park; and attractions such as the Blue Chip Casino Hotel, outlet shopping, and a variety festivals and events. The county’s two primary cities, Michigan City and LaPorte, get special attention under the new campaign. Michigan City boasts a “Golden Triangle” of assets in the Blue Chip, Lighthouse Place Premium Outlets and Washington Park. The city of LaPorte is positioned as a classic, restful Midwest community that offers a spiritual small town feeling of historic neighborhoods, arts and cultural events and boutique retail shopping.
County Lures 30 Jobs Nearly 30 new full-time jobs and a combined investment of $1.6 million will happen in Wayne County thanks to expansions by two Richmond companies, Reel Options, a division of Vandor Corporation, and J. M. Hutton Company, Inc. The EDC of Wayne County has approved EDIT applications for both companies. J. M. Hutton will receive $18,080 to put toward the purchase of a building and equipment and Vandor will receive $15,640 to put toward the purchase of new machinery. J. M. Hutton, a casket and metal stampings company, is purchasing an adjacent building and new laser cutting machinery, which will allow the company to perform work in-house rather than outsourcing to other locations. The company is investing more than $675,000 and creating 11 full-time jobs. They currently employ 94 people. Reel Options is purchasing new machinery to add a new product line, creating 16 new full-time jobs with an investment of $975,000. Reel Options manufacturers packaging reels from reprocessed plastic. The new machinery will allow the company to produce plywood reels and utility spools. The company currently employs 65 people.
Crothersville Company to Grow Aisin Chemical Indiana LLC, (ACIN) a manufacturer of components and materials for the automotive industry, will expand its Crothersville operations, creating up to 37 new jobs by 2013. The company, which manufactures friction material components used in automatic transmissions and liquid applied sound dampening material used in vehicles to reduce noise and vibration, will invest more than $9 million by the end of 2011 to construct a new 72,000-square-foot manufacturing facility adjacent to its current operations. Aisin will use the additional space to expand production of its Liquid Applied Sound Dampening product line. The Indiana Economic Development Corporation offered Aisin Chemical Indiana up to $165,000 in performance-based tax credits and up to $36,000 in training grants based on the company’s job creation plans. The city of Lawrenceburg will provide Crothersville with a $200,000 regional economic development grant toward the project. www.buildingindiananews.com
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