By Giavonni Nickson
Known for its large steel mills, the Steel City, Gary IN, will soon be the new home of the Alliance Steel headquarters and production facility.
The company, a manufacturer of flat-rolled steel supply and coil processing, has created dependable steel supply and coil processing solutions for nearly 20 years in the Chicago area. Alliance plans to continue to grow and build a legacy of steel at its new home in Gary.
Alliance Steel will move its operations from Bedford, Illinois with plans to be operational in Gary by January 2020. This move supports an economic revival in the city, bringing 100 full-time jobs. The company plans to expand and create up to 35 additional high-wage jobs by 2023.
“Today’s news is an exciting step forward for the city of Gary, and for the northwest Indiana region, as we welcome Alliance Steel to the Hoosier state,” Governor Eric J. Holcomb said. “Our fiscally-predictable, pro-growth business climate paired with communities that are ripe for growth provides a unique advantage for companies like Alliance Steel to grow their operations with the support of a skilled workforce.”
Alliance Steel will invest $19.7 million to establish operations in Gary, purchasing and equipping a 250,000-square-foot facility at 2700 E. 5th Ave. ATCO-Gary Metal Technologies formerly occupied the facility. Alliance will begin renovations on the facility in early 2019.
The new facility will allow the manufacturer to expand its flat-rolled steel supply and coil processing operation and to grow its customer demand within the automotive, construction, agriculture, transportation, energy, material handling, and appliance industries.
Alliance Steel President and CEO Andy Gross purchased Alliance Steel in the late 1990s and has transformed the small toll processor into a state-of-the-art steel distributor and service center. The company plans to continue this growth and transformation in Gary.
“Northwest Indiana and Gary are making all the right moves to recreate a very promising industrial area, and Alliance Steel hopes to be one of the cornerstones that provide a track for this new cycle,” said Andy Gross.
The Indiana Economic Development Corporation (IEDC) offered Alliance Steel up to $1.85 million in conditional tax credits and up to $150,000 in training grants based on the company’s job creation plans. These tax credits are performance-based, meaning until Hoosiers are hired, the company is not eligible to claim incentives.
The IEDC also offered up to $900,000 in conditional tax credits from the Industrial Recovery Tax Credit (DINO) program, which provides an incentive to invest in former industrial sites and improve quality of place in Indiana communities. The city of Gary offered additional incentives.
“Acquiring Alliance Steel further demonstrates the attractiveness of Gary IN to development. Increasing Gary’s tax base is a priority of the City of Gary and the Gary Chamber of Commerce. Speaking on behalf of the Chamber, we certainly applaud the move,” said Chuck Hughes executive director, Gary Chamber of Commerce.
“The decision by Alliance Steel to select Gary as its new headquarters and production facility is a testament to the economic revival occurring in the city,” said Gary Mayor Karen Freeman-Wilson. “We welcome their commitment to repurpose an existing industrial structure, invest in our community and create quality, good-paying jobs for Gary residents and those throughout our county and region. Gary is on the shores of opportunity, and we are pleased that Alliance Steel recognizes the assets and benefits of operating here. We look forward to many years of partnership and prosperity for Alliance Steel.”
Alliance plans to increase workforce training on new equipment and add drivers to handle the extra volume. The company will hire for many different positions. Interested applicants may contact the company online at www.alliancesteel.net for more information.
