Plymouth City Council advances tax abatement for AK Industries expansion

The Plymouth Common Council took the first step last week in the tax abatement process for AK Industries, unanimously approving a declaration placing the company's property within an Economic Revitalization Area.

The move paves the way for the wastewater industry manufacturer to invest in new equipment and expand its product line, adding jobs in the process.

Greg Hildebrand of the Marshall County Economic Development Corporation told council members that AK Industries plans to purchase a new piece of equipment valued at $1.2 million for a new product line. The investment will create a minimum of six new jobs while allowing the company to retain its 206 current employees.

AK General Manager James Connelly presented council members with a mini-scale visual aid of the new 1,500-gallon septic tank the machine will produce. The tank measures 13.5 feet long, 7 feet wide, and 5 feet tall.

The new product is aimed at Indiana, Midwest markets, and coastal states. AK Industries currently sells its products in 38 states.

The new equipment is expected to be shipped by the end of November and installed in December, with working production beginning in January 2027.

AK Industries is a leading producer of fiberglass and polyethylene products for the wastewater industry, providing solutions for both centralized and decentralized wastewater management. With a history spanning over four decades, the company specializes in manufacturing products ranging from high-capacity fiberglass lift stations for municipalities to ejector basins for individual residences.

The company maintains approximately 480,000 square feet of space spread across five buildings.

The council will conduct a public hearing on the tax abatement request at its next meeting on Monday, August 24, followed by a confirming resolution.