At the Kosciusko County Council’s Nov. 14 meeting, Warsaw-based manufacturing and design company Alpha Manufacturing requested a tax abatement for an expansion of its operation.

“We’re going to be tripling the number of employees from this tax abatement,” said Richard Helm of Rockhill Pinnich, representing the company. He reported the new jobs would be created at the beginning of the expansion.

“There will also be significant new equipment,” he said. On top of 12 retained employees, 25 new positions will be created over the lifetime of the tax abatement.

Alpha Manufacturing plans to invest $5.62 million to add 12,000 square-feet to its existing 5,000 square-foot facility on Cessna Road in Warsaw. “We moved into that building in 2009,” said Ben Garden, president of Alpha Manufacturing.

“The Warsaw, Indiana-based orthopedic cluster has been the perfect fit for Alpha Manufacturing and its growth,” said Ben Garden. “With three of the world’s five largest orthopedic medical companies residing in Warsaw, an employee talent pool second to none and a host of related firms to streamline our special process requirements, the decision is simple and easy to make. Warsaw is home.”

“Despite launching in 2008 during the depths of the economic recession, Alpha Manufacturing found its niche and grew, showing us what’s possible with determination and perseverance in a business-friendly environment like we have here in Indiana,” wrote Eric Doden, president of the Indiana Economic Development Corporation, in a related press release.

Additionally, improvements will be made to the existing structure, additional manufacturing equipment will be purchased and a small amount of information technology equipment will be acquired.

Alpha Manufacturing is a contract manufacturer in the orthopedic industry. Alpha Manufacturing is hiring skilled CNC machinists, CNC programmers and quality control personnel. Interested applicants can apply by emailing [email protected].

The requested abatement would be for 10 years. The council approved a public hearing on the abatement for its Dec. 11 meeting.

Additionally, Highway Superintendent Scott Tilden announced a need to replace a highway truck driver. “We’re coming into snowplowing season, so I make a motion to approve,” said Councilman Jim Moyer.

Statewide 911 announced plans to use part-time employees to help with the departure of a full-time dispatcher. This strategy would also help reduce overtime at the department.

All the transfers and additional appropriations listed on the agenda were approved. Among the additional appropriations was $60,222.97 to the highway department for calcium, salt and weed spray.

This appropriation requires no additional expense to the tax payers. The majority of these funds come from FEMA.

County Treasurer Sue Ann Mitchell reported property taxes we’re being processed. Before the close of the meeting, Councilman Larry Teghtmeyer announced to the council that North Central Cooperative was expanding its operation to the Mentone area.