News
Council supports grant for Creative Liquid Coatings
2/23/2010
City Council Monday morning authorized Mayor Suzanne Handshoe to seek a $455,000 state grant for a company planning to expand in Kendallville and add 65 full-time jobs to its workforce.
Meeting in special session, council voted for Handshoe to prepare and submit the application for the Community Economic Development Fund grant from the Indiana Office of Community and Rural Affairs for Creative Liquid Coatings Inc. The Fort Wayne-based firm announced last week it plans to introduce a new automated equipment on a paint line Noble Paint Co. is installing in the former Budd Company building at 2620 Marion Drive in the East Industrial Park.
Council also committed the required local funds of $20,465 provided by Creative Liquid Coatings contingent on receiving the grant.
At the Feb. 16 council meeting, Nate Cole, a Region III-A grant consultant, told council Region III-A had received tentative notice from the state the grant will be made available as long as Creative Liquid Coatings meets the grant requirements for job creation and the city supports the grant request. The company has a job creation agreement with the city, according to Handshoe.
Stephen Geist, Creative Liquid Coatings' operations manager, said his company plans to install robots and automated equipment and begin the operation in July and be fully operational by Sept. 1. The company will be hiring skilled workers through Work One.
Noble Paint Co. has 60 employees operating a paint line and stamping equipment in the building.
Last week council granted Creative Liquid Coatings 10 years of tax abatement on $2 million in new equipment, and Noble Paint Co. an amended abatement for 10 years on $8 million on new equipment. Back to Top