CEO of Marshall County Economic Development Corp. presents third qtr. update to County Commissioners and Council

Marshall County Economic Development Corporation CEO Greg Hildebrand gave the County Commissioners and County Council the third-quarter update this month.

Hildebrand said there has been almost $200 million in CapEX investment in the county, which has created about 230 jobs. He said his office is currently working on four attraction projects to bring new industry into Marshall County, and there are six active retention and expansion projects.  These are manufacturers that are expanding their operations in the county.  

Hildebrand said they are also working with most of the communities in the county that are working on housing projects.  He said there is some difficulty attracting developers to help with housing projects because they are on a smaller scale.   

On the manufacturing side of things, Hildebrand said SDC on Pioneer Drive is a new die-cast corporation that anticipates production to begin this quarter. They are in the hiring process and plan to hire 30 to 35 employees to get started.

American Containers is in the process of receiving a business personal property tax abatement from the City of Plymouth for over $5 million in equipment for the pharmaceutical packaging.

Southwire in Bremen announced another expansion this quarter, bringing its total expansion to approximately $80 million. This expansion is in the low-voltage portion of the company. Hildebrand said they are currently the number one employer in Marshall County, and they anticipate adding 100 more employees with this expansion. 

C.T. Polymers on Elm Road in Bourbon is also expanding with nearly a 100,000 square foot addition at the back of their current facility.  Hildebrand said they will be doing more compounding.  Right now, they are doing a lot more of recycling polymers, but will be expanding the compounding they do on-site, which will require hiring additional employees. 

The County Council approved a tax abatement for B & G Truck Conversions in Argos last year, and Hildebrand said they continue to work on the expansion, but it has been internal so far. Some changes in their partnership and financing have slowed the expansion, so they will be seeking an extension. 

Hildebrand told the commissioners that Sequel Wire in Argos is continuing its second building expansion and creating a sister company across the street.

Of interest to Sequel Wire and citizens of Argos and Marshall County, Hildebrand said the design for U.S. 31 and State Road 10 is scheduled for release any time now.  He attended a U.S. 31 Coalition meeting a few weeks ago and found out that funding for INDOT is an issue.  He said they don’t have the funding they need for some of the jobs that have already been let.  Hildebrand noted there is some concern with the Coalition regarding the necessary improvements for 31 and 10.