Marion Steel gets tax abatement to expand, renovate office

By Maribeth Holtz, Chronicle-Tribune
mholtz@chronicle-tribune.com

Marion Steel Fabrication will double its office space, making room for potential growth in personnel.

The company, currently at 2301 S. Western Ave., will move into 333 W. Fourth St.

Marion Steel owner Jim Swan is expanding the nearly-empty office building into a 10,000-square-foot facility for his company offices.

"We've outgrown the one we're in now for a long time ..." Swan said. "It's really designed so we can expand."

The project was granted a 10-year tax abatement by the Marion City Council on Tuesday.

According to abatement paperwork, there will be a complete interior and exterior renovation of the space, as well as the construction of a 3,600-square-foot addition and a new parking lot. There are currently 12 employees, and the project might create eight more positions.

Swan said the project is between $400,000 and $600,000.

"We hope to be in the new building by the end of the year," he said.

Indiana Utility Shareholders Association is currently in the building, and Swan said it would remain there.

The building was the headquarters for the Grant County Republican Party last year.

Swan said he plans to rent out portions of the current building.

Also at the meeting,

Mayor Wayne Seybold introduced Jonathan Perez as new chief of staff, and Darren Reese as city development director.

Perez, a Marion native, had been working as director of community relations for Congressman Dan Burton's local office for almost three years, and before that he worked for the Grant County Commissioners.

Seybold announced that he would be traveling to China on an economic development trip in September with Gov. Mitch Daniels.