Graphic Packaging plans expansion in Kendallville
Graphic Packaging plans warehousing space expansion in Kendallville
Dennis Nartker, News-Sun
Kendallville-Graphic Packaging is planning to occupy a vacant building in the East Industrial Park to gain warehousing space and improve its shipping movements.Wednesday morning, the Kendallville Redevelopment Commission recommended a two-year tax abatement on a vacant building with an assessed value of $869,500 and five years of sliding abatement on approximately $80,000 of improvements to the building. The City Council is expected to vote on the abatements at its meeting Tuesday night.
The project will not create new jobs, but will help retain the company’s 143 employees, according to an application for the tax abatement.
Judy Geist, a Graphic Packaging representative, told commissioners the company’s manufacturing plant at 301 Progress Drive in the East Industrial Park currently uses a warehouse at 2705 Marion Drive for product storage, but the company needs more space. The existing warehouse has only two shipping doors.
The company wants to purchase the vacant Arden Benhar Corp. building at 230 S. Progress Drive, which has more space and five shipping bays.
“This strategic move allows us a long-term growth opportunity and a sustained presence within the community due to the five-year commitment,” said Stephen A. Hellrung, Graphic Packaging senior vice president.
Indiana allows tax abatements on industrial buildings that have been vacant at least one year. Arden Corp. closed in 2012.
Graphic Packaging International makes packaging for the consumer products industries, flexible and specialty packaging, paperboard, bags, labels and inks.
