"Our company is enjoying tremendous growth at present," said Lenex Steel owner and Purdue University graduate Mike Berghoff. "Our new Terre Haute facility will allow us to better serve our customers in western Indiana and Illinois."
Lenex Steel was founded in 2002 by Berghoff to provide fabricated steel products and engineering design services for the construction industry. The company maintains its headquarters and two fabrication shops in Indianapolis. Lenex will continue to serve its eastern Indiana and Ohio clientele from its Indianapolis facilities. Two recent projects that utilized Lenex Steel's products and services include the Metropolis Mall in Plainfield, Ind. and the new Simon Headquarters building in downtown Indianapolis.
"Lenex Steel's decision to continue its growth within our borders is a true indication of a growing confidence in our economy. It's clear that west central Indiana has economic growth momentum, and we expect many more such announcements in the future," said Michael S. Maurer, Indiana Secretary of Commerce and Indiana Economic Development Corporation president. The state of Indiana, through the Indiana Economic Development Corporation (IEDC) and the Terre Haute Economic Development Corporation, worked together to provide an incentive package that helped assist with the company's expansion. The IEDC offered incentives including up to $45,000 in training grants and approximately $305,000 in tax credits based on job creation and capital investment.
"We are thrilled that Lenex Steel has recognized Terre Haute as a great place to do business," said Terre Haute Mayor Kevin D. Burke. "We are also pleased that the former Interstate Welding building will be utilized once again to provide needed employment opportunities for the citizens of our community."
The city of Terre Haute's incentive offer consists of local property tax abatement as well $50,000 from city Economic Development Income Tax proceeds to assist the company with a minor onsite environmental mitigation issue.
About IEDC
As a result of legislation passed by the Indiana General Assembly in 2005, the Indiana Economic Development Corporation has replaced the Department of Commerce as the premier entity charged with state economic development. The IEDC has a 12-member board chaired by Governor Mitch Daniels. Indiana Secretary of Commerce Michael S. Maurer is also president of the IEDC. For more information about IEDC, visit www.iedc.IN.gov.
