Mechanical contractor breaks ground in East Chicago

EAST CHICAGO, Ind. (Inside INdiana Business) — An Illinois-based mechanical contractor has broken ground on a new facility in East Chicago. Manhattan Mechanical Services says it is investing $2.5 million to build the 20,000-square-foot facility and create up to 100 jobs over the next few years.

Manhattan provides mechanical services to oil refineries, chemical plans, steel mills, paper mills and other heavy industrial operations. The city says the new facility will include offices, a fabrication shop, a craft training center, and a corporate office.

“We have been fortunate to have significant growth in recent years and based on that growth, we began exploring the necessity of relocation to better serve the Midwest market,” said Mike Uremovich, President of Manhattan. “The evolution of our company continues today. East Chicago and the state of Indiana provide a business environment where we and our clients can continue to prosper.”

The facility is being build on a former vacant, city-owned property. The company says it expects to continue its growth over the next several years and selected the 2.8-acre site to accommodate that growth.

“East Chicago’s reputation for redevelopment and productive reuse of municipal property continues to draw development and businesses, and we appreciate the commitment Manhattan has made to our city,” said East Chicago Mayor Anthony Copeland. “With our focus on fostering a friendly business climate, East Chicago is a community that companies can rely on to help provide a return on their investment and future prosperity.”

The Indiana Economic Development Corp. has offered Manhattan up to $1.3 million in conditional tax credits, which the company will not be eligible to claim until Hoosier workers are hired for the new jobs.