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Vanair Manufacturing Inc. will move from its home in New Buffalo, Mich., and relocate into a building twice as large in Michigan City, IN, bringing with it new jobs.
Greg Kokot of Vanair said “We’re certainly very excited about the move to the Michigan City area, and this new direction and location will give Vanair the opportunity to grow and expand our business. Working with the Michigan City Economic Development Corporation, the Indiana Economic Development Corporation, and the LaPorte County Economic Development team to put together an attractive incentive package made the decision to move to Indiana a much easier one for our company.”
The LaPorte County Council approved a request from Kokot Brothers Development LLC for an economic revitalization area and tax abatement to develop a 60,000-square-foot building on a former farm on County Road 300 North in Coolspring Township, just south of Michigan City.
Council President Jerry Cooley said Vanair is committed to creating some 60 new jobs paying $21 an hour over the next three years. “It’s a great opportunity for the county to get more jobs,” Cooley said. “The property tax (for the parcel) is $250 a year. When you figure the gain in the county income tax, we’ll make up in one week what we get in property tax for one year.”
Michigan City Mayor Oberlie said, “The Vanair project is an example of what can happen when we work together as a county. As any good prospect should do, Vanair representatives considered several options, some in our city and some in the county. Kevin Kieft and Matt Reardon were able to provide the proper answers that resulted in the Vanair commitment to build in LaPorte County. Everyone involved can be proud of the coordinated effort that resulted in this new industrial development.”
Ralph Kokot, owner and chief executive officer of Vanair Manufacturing, said he appreciates the economic incentives offered to move his company from Michigan to LaPorte County. He said the company plans to actively recruit new employees from LaPorte County. “We will be looking for a myriad of employees, from professional engineers to assemblyline laborers—He said he has talked with three LaPorte County contractors about constructing the new building and expects to make a decision within a month.
Vanair Manufacturing has been at its present location on U.S. 12 just west of New Buffalo since it was founded in 1972. Kokot bought the company in 1997. He said the 44-employee company manufactures vehicle-mounted air compressors and its major market is utility companies.
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