LOWELL — The Town Council has made the first move toward providing a tax break for Aunt Millie's Bakeries, which has purchased the former Ashland Industries property at the town's west end.
The council on Monday approved a statement of benefits and a resolution, the opening steps toward tax abatement for the Fort Wayne-based company.
Jay Miller, Aunt Millie's chief financial officer, told the council crews are already doing cleanup in the facility at 790 W. Commercial Ave. A distribution center and branch depot will open there around May 1.
The company expects to make a $25 million total investment in new equipment and building improvements.
Miller said Aunt Millie's expects to be fully operational in April of next year. At that time, he said, it is expected there will be 117 new jobs, all of which will receive full benefits. A total payroll of $5 million is planned.
Accompanied by Vice President of Finance Judy Bobilya-Feher, Miller thanked Lowell Clerk/Treasurer Judy Walters and town attorney David Westland for "helping us through the application process."
Renovations to the facility will begin as soon as all government approvals are received. Construction of the bakery section of the building will begin after the branch depot opens.
In a news release, President John F. Popp said, "We are pleased to be making this investment in Indiana, our home state. We have experienced a great deal of westward expansion, and this new bakery will allow us to better serve our Illinois and Wisconsin customers."
Begun in 1901, Aunt Millie's Bakeries now operates six bakeries in Indiana, Michigan and Ohio. The Lowell facility will be the seventh.
The company has more than 50 branch depots and 35 outlet stores in its bakery states as well as in Kentucky, Wisconsin and Illinois.