Seymour council OKs tax credits

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A longtime Jackson County employer is planning a major investment in 2018 that has the potential of creating nearly 250 new jobs, but filling those positions could be a problem.

And a small local engineering company is expanding its injection molding business, resulting in the need for two additional workers.

Valeo North America and C&T Engineering, both located in Seymour, received approval from the city council Monday night on requests for tax abatement for their respective projects.

Abatements allow the businesses to phase in paying taxes on the investments over a period of 10 years.

Jim Plump, executive director of Jackson County Industrial Development Corp., spoke on behalf of both companies.

Plump said Valeo, located in Freeman Field Industrial Park on the city’s southwest side, plans to spend $38.4 million to purchase new manufacturing equipment to support its business growth.

The company has been producing automotive lighting systems in Seymour since 1978 and has developed several lighting innovations for the industry used by automakers worldwide.

It’s estimated the investment will begin in January and be completed by the end of 2018, allowing the company to retain its current workforce of 1,578 employees and potentially hire an estimated 245 more people, Plump said.

Those new jobs will increase the city’s income tax base by $14.8 million, Plump said. The company already generates $128.1 million in salaries and is the county’s second-largest industrial employer after Aisin USA.

Matt Morley, a representative from Valeo, said most of the jobs, around 200, will be hourly assembly positions with the rest being salaried engineers.

Filling those jobs may not be easy, as the county’s unemployment rate stands around 3 percent and other area manufacturers struggle to find and keep quality employees.

Council President Jim Rebber, who chairs the industrial development committee, thanked Valeo for its continued presence in the city and involvement in the community.

Morley said the company values the partnership it has with Seymour and wants to see it continue.

C&T Engineering at 322 Thompson Road will spend $300,000 to purchase new injection molding equipment over the next year.

The company, established in 1986, offers customers services including plastic injection molding, tooling, design engineering and production.

C&T Engineering currently has 10 employees and expects to hire two new people as a result of the investment, Plump said.

The project is expected to start this month and be completed by the end of 2018.

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