FCC set to expand

A local manufacturer plans to invest $19 million in new equipment for new vehicles.
Eric Garringer of FCC (Indiana) Inc. told members of the Portland City Council that the company must purchase $19,582,000 in new equipment and tools to prepare for new models. FCC makes clutches for Hondas.
The new equipment will create eight new jobs with salaries totaling $240,000.
FCC asked for a 5-year tax abatement on the purchase of the new equipment. Council members voted Monday night to send the request to the Portland Tax Abatement Advisory Committee for review.
In a related matter, council members approved tax abatements for Dayton Progress.
The company asked for a 10-year abatement on a 22-foot by 60-foot addition, and a 5-year abatement for $140,500 in new equipment.
Jay County Development Corporation executive director Bill Bradley said the abatement advisory committee recently met and recommended that the council approve the requests.
Dayton Progress recently purchased Lane Punch, which operated plants in Canton, Mich., and Salisbury, N.C. Some of the equipment from those plants is being moved to the Portland factory. The company expects to hire four new employees with salaries totaling $112,320.
Tax abatements phase in taxes on new investments over a period of years.
Also Monday, a moment of silence was held for Portland Fire Chief Matt Aker.
Aker died Saturday night following a motorcycle accident.
“Sometimes, it’s tough to be tough,” Portland Mayor Bruce Hosier said, clearly trying to fight back tears.
“I think we’re gonna have a big open spot without Matt here with us,” said council president Bill Gibson. “He’s going to be missed.” As fire chief, Aker often attended city council meetings.
In other business, council members:
•Voted to close a portion of an alley near Asbury United Methodist Church for a special event.
The church, located at 204 E. Arch St., will hold an Impact Community Block Party May 15 from 4 to 8 p.m. The event is being held to collect donations for the local food pantries and to raise money for the Jay County Flood Relief Fund. A portion of an alley located along the north side of the church will be closed for the event.
•Learned that a memorandum of understanding between Portland and the city of Anshan, China, was signed during Hosier’s most recent trip to China.
Hosier said the agreement states that the city and Portland officials will continue to build economic development relations.[[In-content Ad]]