At its Dec. 11 meeting, the Kosciusko County Council granted Warsaw orthopedic manufacturing company Alpha Manufacturing a tax abatement.
The abatement was requested at the council’s November meeting.
“We’re going to triple the workforce with this tax abatement,” said Alpha’s representative Richard Helm. Alpha Manufacturing is planning a significant expansion project. A planned $5.62 million investment will add 12,000 square-feet to the company’s existing 5,000 square-foot facility on Cessna Road in Warsaw. Alpha Manufacturing also plans to add 25 new employees to its current 13 member staff.
Helm noted that other counties did solicit Alpha Manufacturing to move its operation. Owner Ben Garden opted to stay in Kosciusko County and seek the tax abatement.
The county council granted Alpha Manufacturing a five-year abatement on personal property, which includes the purchase of manufacturing and information technology equipment. Additionally, the company was granted a 10-year abatement on real estate.
“We appreciate you doing business in Warsaw and Kosciusko County,” said councilman Jon Fussle.
Also at the meeting, the council approved the following appointments:
Commissioner Ron Truex came before the council to request a temporary assistant county administrator be hired to help with the succession of Kosciusko County Administrator Ron Robinson. “We think it’s in the best interest of the county with a new county administrator, potentially new commissioners and potentially new county council mnembers going through training at the same time,” said Truex.
Truex said the assistant administrator would be paid out of the county commissioner’s budget. “I think its just as important that we transition effectiviley, so I’m in favor of this temporary position,” remarked councilman Brad Tandy. Councilman Larry Teghtmeyer noted, “I was on the council before there was a county administrator, and I assure you we don’t want to go back to the situation.”
Ultimately, the council approved the new position. The position is expected to be dissolved in 2016 after elected officials have been established in their respective offices.
Additionally, all transfers, additional appropriations and other business on the agenda was approved.