Fort Wayne's Icon Exhibits to expand, add nearly 60 jobs

Greater Fort Wayne Business Weekly

Icon Exhibits plans to add a new 20,000-square-foot building at its Fort Wayne campus to enhance its operations and logistics capacity.

The $4.3-million project is expected to ensure the retention of 30 jobs and could create the potential for 58 new positions, according to a written statement from the Fort Wayne-Allen County Economic Development Alliance. It is expected to be completed in 2012.

Icon manufactures products for trade shows, museums, retail outlets and events. The company already has a 60,000-square-foot facility in Fort Wayne, where it was founded 64 years ago. In March, the company merged with Alameda, Calif.-based Delphi Productions, a similar company that also produces items for trade-show exhibits, museums and events.

The Fort Wayne City Council will consider a tax abatement for the project that could result in Icon saving $106,467 on real and personal property taxes over 10 years. A $46,000 city grant also could be awarded, and the company is eligible for $65,000 in job training, $16,000 in recruitment, and $4,550 in computer training funds from WorkOne Northeast.

The Indiana Economic Development Corp. will provide a $10,000 Industrial Development Grant, $485,000 in performance-based tax credits and $40,000 in training grants.