Vibracoustics expanding in Noble County

Ligonier company adding new jobs

Tax abatements approved by city council for Vibracoustics

Posted: Tuesday, February 26, 2013 12:00 am | Updated: 6:15 am, Tue Feb 26, 2013.

By Bob Buttgen
bbuttgen@kpcnews.net

LIGONIER — The Ligonier City Council approved two tax abatements to Vibracoustics, a local manufacturing firm that will be adding six to nine new jobs within the next month.

Vibracoustics controller Bob Schultz told the council Monday night his company has already started installing new equipment valued at approximately $500,000 at its factory, located on Gerber Street in the Ligonier Industrial Park.

A second project will add new equipment valued at more than $1.2 million dollars and help retain many current jobs, Schultz said. The company, which makes torsional dampers for the automotive industry, currently has 115 employees.

If nine new employees are hired, they would add about $344,000 to the company’s annual payroll, Schultz said.

Ligonier Mayor Patty Fisel told Schultz the city appreciates all that Vibracoustics has done in in the past, and will continue to do for the city.

City attorney Steve Hagen questioned Schultz on several aspects of the company’s plans. Those questions are part of the established process when a company applies for a tax abatement, Hagen said.

Council members gave unanimous approval to both abatements.