1993-07-15 Resolution 79 - Laserfiche WebLink

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INDUSTRY AND ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT The industries of South Bend manufacture a variety of products including ethanol, engine controls, plastic pipes, vinyl siding, and electrical switches. The Michiana azea provides varied employment opportunities. The attraction of new business and the development of four industrial parks has expanded the economic base during the last five years. St. Joseph County's manufacturing employment rose by 600 jobs during the twelve months ended April, 1993 as reported by the Indiana Department of Employment and Training Services. Bendix Aviation Corporation, initially an automotive brake factory is now a major part of Allied-Signal Inc., comprised of three major businesses: aerospace, automotive systems, and wheel and brake division. Today, Bendix carbon brakes aze used in a number of commercial and military aircraft. Bendix is a world leader in this field. Retail and shopping facilities also employ a large work force in the South Bend area. There aze two major enclosed malls, a discount mall, and several shopping centers throughout the County offering consumer goods to residents. The following are excerpts from the Chamber of Commerce of St. Joseph County reports on business expansion and new investment activity in St. Joseph County for the first quarter of 1993. ACCURIDE INTERNATIONAL INC. of Santa Fe Springs, California, is constructing a $6 million, 165,000 sq. ft. metal stamping plant in the Airport 2010 Landmark Industrial Park. When completed in August, the company will begin producing ball bearing drawer slides for sale to the many- office furniture manufacturers located in western Michigan. An estimated 250 people, most of whom will be hired locally, aze expected to be employed by the firm. As incentives, the City of South Bend granted aten-yeaz real property tax abatement and afive-yeaz personal property tax abatement, with the State of Indiana providing the firm with a $175,000 grant to help pay for infrastructure- improvements at the plant site. BENDIX WHEELS AND BRAKES completed the critical design review phase for components that will be used on the Boeing 777, the first of a new generation of big, long distance airliners. Production can now begin on the nose wheels, main wheel, and brakes, following three years of development, analysis, and prototype-testing activity. The plane, being built by Boeing Company in Seattle, Washington, is scheduled for its first flight in June, 1994. The contract will help maintain the current employment of 925 people in the declining defense mazket. CAPITAL TECHNOLOGIES. INC. will receive a tax abatement on $1.275 million of new equipment. The major new items being added aze computer-controlled milling machines and lathes. As a manufacturer of specialized industrial machinery, dies, and fixtures, the company experienced a 203'o growth last year and hopes to double the size of its operations in the next five yeass. Currently employing 124 workers, with a payroll of $5.2 million, the 35 year old firm expects to add 20 new jobs, paying about $40,000 each. COCA-COLA BOTTLING COMPANY, received the zoning necessary to relocate its distribution center to a 9.8 acre site in South Bend. Plans are to build an 80,000 sq. ft. warehouse estimated to cost $2 million. The new regional facility will service sites throughout St. Joseph, Elkhart, and Marshall Counties, utilizing 30 small trucks. Construction is expected to start soon. A-8