GTA Containers gets tax breaks from council to expand on South Bend's west side

GTA Containers manufactures collapsible drums and tanks for both military and civilian operations and also designs and implements fluid transfer systems for clients. It currently has a two-building campus at 4201 Linden Ave. but plans to construct a 112,000 square-foot third building at 445 N. Sheridan St. that will house a new computerized camouflage paint line for covers for military vehicles.

GTA Containers is partnering with Great Lakes Capital Sheridan, which will build the facility and lease it back to GTA Containers through a triple net lease once the expansion is complete. A triple net lease is a lease where a tenant agrees to pay the property expenses such as real estate taxes, building insurance, maintenance, rent and utilities.

The real estate tax abatement would be for an eight-year real property tax abatement and a five-year personal property tax abatement.

Igor Popov, CEO of GTA Containers, told the council committee on Jan. 27 that the new building and the new line are needed to allow the business to grow in the city's west side. Currently, 143 people work at GTA Containers, and the expansion would mean 15 more employees would be hired by the end of 2027.