This rendering shows a new building (depicted in yellow) to be constructed at Paragon Medical’s Pierceton location at 8 Matchett Drive. Operations in the 34,000-square-foot building will focus on 3D printing. Photo provided.

By Leah Sander
InkFreeNews

PIERCETON — Paragon Medical is planning an expansion at its Pierceton location.

At its regular meeting on Monday, Sept. 13, the Pierceton Town Council heard information on the plan from Paragon Engineering, Maintenance and Facilities Manager Matt Thomas.

The council had already heard from Paragon leadership about the expansion, which includes a new building at the company’s location at 8 Matchett Drive, Pierceton, at a special public meeting on Thursday, Sept. 2. Then, the council approved a five to seven-year tax abatement for real estate with a net value of $8.5 million.

According to information from Paragon, the new building will be 34,000 square feet and be “dedicated to 3D printing.” A groundbreaking for the project will be on Thursday, Sept. 23.

The project will create 15 more jobs.

2022 Budget

The council also had a public hearing on the 2022 town budget at the meeting.

As of now, the 2022 budget is $1,508,457. That’s broken down to: $20,000 in the rainy day fund; $482,667 in the general fund; $20,500 in the local road and street fund; $115,240 in the motor vehicle highway fund; $230,000 in the cumulative bridge and street fund; $4,500 in the continuing education fund; $14,550 in the park fund; $8,000 in the cumulative capital improvement fund; $30,000 in the cumulative capital development fund; $120,000 in county economic development income tax (CEDIT); $313,000 in the redevelopment general fund; and $150,000 in the ARPA Fund.

No one spoke during the hearing. The council plans to adopt the budget at its next meeting on Monday, Oct. 11.

In other business, the council:

• Heard from Lee Newswanger. He and his wife Deb Newswanger are seeking to vacate an alley near their home at 306 S. Third St. That’s related to his wife operating her counseling business Healing Hearts Ministry. Town Council Member Mandy Espinoza, who also serves on the Kosciusko County Area Plan Commission, is to help him with the formal vacation process.

The council’s next meeting is 6:30 p.m. Monday, Oct. 11, at the Pierceton Community Building.