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Laidig Industries expansion wins favorable committee recommendation for tax abatement
Summary
A declaratory resolution recommending a real-property tax abatement for Mishawaka Leasing Corporation (operating as Laidig/Latex Systems) passed the committee March 10; the company said the expansion will add about 33,900 sq ft, cost roughly $12 million and create five jobs averaging $30/hour.
The land-use planning committee unanimously recommended a declaratory tax-abatement resolution for Mishawaka Leasing Corporation (operating as Latex Systems/Laidig Industries) on March 10, advancing the request to the full council.
Terry O'Brien, an economic development specialist, said the petitioner plans to expand an existing Mishawaka facility of approximately 120,000 square feet by roughly 33,900 square feet for engineering, warehouse, office space and a fitness center, at an estimated cost of about $12 million. The petitioner said the expansion would create five new positions averaging about $30 an hour.
Council members pressed the petitioner on wage commitments. One member noted the countywide average wage is $28.78 per hour; the ordinance’s 125% threshold would imply target wages near $35–$36 per hour. The company representative said the proposed positions would pay about $30 per hour, and company officials offered to provide more detailed average pay information for the full-council consideration. The petitioner also confirmed most current employees are local and that local contractors would be used for construction.
“Their average salary for the proposed new positions is approximately $30 an hour,” Terry O'Brien told the committee, and he added that the company had met prior abatement compliance requirements in 2025.
Next steps
The declaratory resolution moves forward to a confirming resolution in April, where the council will consider final terms and any wage- or compliance-related conditions before the abatement can be enacted.
