Frankfort pork, chip producers seek tax abatements

Indiana Packers is seeking an abatement to make improvements to its shipping and warehouse facility at 1150 Vermont St., according to the Jim Hardison, vice president of human resources for the Delphi-based company.

"What we're asking for here today - we're not asking for money for our equipment - when we came to the community we said we really wanted to look at tax abatement for property only," he said.

The company always planned to add production capabilities to its recently-opened Frankfort operation, and the improvements should allow the company to increase its number of employees.

Currently Indiana Packers employs 28 people in Frankfort, Hardison said, and more than 300 people have applied to work at the facility.

"My goal is to have 120-125 by the end of the year," he said. "I believe we'll have the full 98 - which we committed to - probably by the end of the summer."

Company officials hope to have the majority of improvements done and be in production by late summer.

"Build it and fill the plant," he said. "The quicker we fill the plant the (quicker) we start getting a return on investment."

Additionally, Frito-Lay is looking to invest nearly $16 million to modernize its Frankfort operation by updating and replacing equipment, according to Dave Hendrickson, manufacturing director at the core plant.

Frito-Lay is the largest employer in Frankfort, and if the abatement is granted it is expected to help the company retain employees.