Noblesville OKs tax break for iron castings plant

Three time-worn buildings on the old Noblesville Foundry property are set to come down this spring to make way for a 260,000-square-foot factory employing 50.

Noblesville Common Council voted 5-0 on Tuesday to approve a three-year tax abatement for ID Castings LLC, which plans to install $31 million in manufacturing equipment as it brings the long-neglected site back to life.

The company’s capital investment is expected to be about $20.4 million.

Plant Manager Jack Kruse told council members that demolition permits are in hand for two of the buildings, and the work is expected to begin in the next few months.

The company already has 27 workers in an existing building on the property, turning out iron castings for clients nationwide. Kruse said production—and employment–should double within a year.

Demand for domestic castings is strong, he said, and the competition is not as stiff as it once was. Kruse said only about 500 iron foundries remain in operation in the United States, compared to about 4,000 in the mid-1970s.

ID Castings was founded last fall. Kruse oversees operations for an investment group that owns the company.

“This has been a long time coming,” he told the council. “We’re very happy.”

Council member Steve Wood said although past owners have failed to deliver on promised improvements, he is encouraged by current activity on the site.

“I think this is going to be a good project for Noblesville,” he said told Kruse. “I hope you’re going to do what you say you’re going to do.”