Columbia City machining company plans $1M expansion, to add 14 jobs

By WANE

Columbia City - 

 A Columbia City machining company announced a $1 million expansion that will add 14 jobs.

AJ Machine, located at 507 S. Line St. in Columbia City, said Tuesday it will invest $1 million to construct a new 14,900 square foot facility along East Business 30 in Columbia City. The facility will include both office and manufacturing space.

The company said the expansion will allow it to add 14 jobs over the next five years.

The expansion is a result of growing business, the company said.

“As our business has continued to grow we’ve moved to larger facilities, but this project allows us opportunities to continue expanding well into the future,” said AJ Machine President Ronda McClure.

Established in 2002, AJ Machine specializes in the design, engineering and manufacturing of gauges and fixtures, tooling, machining and automated equipment. The company works with a wide-range of industries including automotive, agricultural, water treatment and purification, medical, appliance, food processing, marine and recreational vehicles.

AJ Machine currently has 25 employees.

“I am pleased that the McClures decided to build their new facility here in Whitley County,” said Whitley County Economic Development Corporation President Jon Myers. “Their business is one of several local companies that provides cutting-edge design and engineering services to manufacturers across the country and around the world.”

The Whitley County Council approved a 10-year tax abatement for construction of the new facility. Construction on the new facility should begin this month, the company said.