J.W. Hicks asks Knox council for tax abatement to support expansion, pledges jobs and job fair

Representatives of J.W. Hicks presented a formal request March 24 asking the Knox City Council to consider a tax abatement tied to a planned facility expansion and footprint change. Company representatives described the work as a revamp of storage and material-handling to accommodate larger product sizes and to improve safety and operations.

"Currently here in Knox, we have 105 teammates," a company representative said, adding that the firm had historically promised about 70 jobs in earlier abatement requests and expects continued growth. The presenter said some operations began in Merrillville and that long-term plans had included moving capacity to Knox; they also said the company is exploring land acquisition through the Economic Development Foundation to enable further expansion.

No formal vote was taken on the abatement request. Council members confirmed the matter will proceed through the planning commission and Board of Works as required; the presenter provided formal documents and council said it would take the request under advisement and place it on next month's agenda after those reviews.

Company representatives announced a public job fair on Saturday from 8:00 a.m. to 11:30 a.m. at the firm's campus (identified in the presentation as the facility with a 6:35 address). The presenter described recruiting steps (local billboards, on-site fairs), recruiting needs for skilled roles including materials scientists, and a profit-sharing program that requires one year of employment before participation.

Council members thanked the company for its long-standing presence and community partnership. Officials did not set specific abatement terms, dollar amounts or a timeline at the March 24 meeting; those details will be determined in subsequent review steps.