Community Renewal Good Stories - Gary/Hammond/East Chicago

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Northwest Indiana Businesses Profit From EZ Locations

Gary/Hammond/East Chicago, Indiana, EZ and Columbus, Ohio, EZ

Les Kaplan, controller of Interstate Blood Bank, Inc., understands the value of locating in a Federal EZ. A sister company, Bio- Blood Components, Inc., is located in the Gary/Hammond/East Chicago EZ and another facility is in the Columbus, Ohio, EZ. Both companies in the EZs are realizing tremendous tax savings because of their locations. The companies, which provide human blood and/or blood components to the therapeutic and diagnostic industries, have realized more than $37,000 in income tax savings from the EZ-related employment credits. Kaplan is very pleased with the service provided by the Gary/ Hammond/East Chicago EZ staff and says he will continue to take advantage of the tax incentives and will spread word of the EZ advantages to business partners and associates.

The International Steel Group, Inc. (ISG), a new but highly profitable competitor in the global steel industry, operates an H-4 blast furnace, a basic oxygen furnace, and a continuous casting machine at a facility called ISG Indiana Harbor, Inc. The company has greatly benefited from its decision to locate in the Indiana EZ. It not only took home huge profits, it also boasted tax savings of more than $126,000 from EZ employment credits.

Union Tank Car Company (UTLX), also located in East Chicago, Indiana, has claimed EZ employment credits for the past 2 years. The resulting tax savings are impressive. In 2002 UTLX saved $40,542 and in 2003 it saved $64,155. UTLX employs a total of 23 EZ residents, 8 from East Chicago and 15 from Gary, Indiana. Don Kepplinger of UTLX is pleased enough to say, "I have recommended to all my business associates to take full advantage of the EZ tax credits."

For more information on the programs of the Gary/Hammond/East Chicago, IndianaEZ, please contact EZ Executive Director Scott Upshaw at (219) 886-9047 X12.