ANGOLA - Angola and Steuben County economic development officials have found a tenant for one of Angola's vacant industrial properties. Coupled with the expansion of two other local companies, officials announced over 180 new jobs for the community Monday night.

Fuel Systems of Angola will move into the former Millennium Automotive facility on Wohlert Street, it was announced Monday at a meeting of the Angola Common Council. The company will add 140 jobs.

Also, Steffy Wood Products is expanding its operation by 20,000 square feet and will add up to 38 jobs. General Products of Angola is adding 12 positions, with the potential for six more, and bringing in $422,000 in equipment. The council approved tax abatements for all three companies.



Fuel Systems, a startup manufacturer of automotive and recreational fuel components and assemblies to Tier I and Tier II manufacturers, will invest more than $2.5 million to lease and equip an existing 160,000 square-foot facility at 1501 Wohlert St.

"We are truly excited about the opportunity presented by the state of Indiana, Steuben County and the city of Angola. The EDC team, from the top down has turned the Angola site from an afterthought to a focal point of growth," said Les Thornton, president of Fuel Systems of Angola. "I am looking forward to starting the process of building the FSA team and starting operations."

Thornton told the council that the state had "put an old fashioned whupping," on Michigan in efforts to lure the company to the state. Once the decision to locate in Indiana was made, Thornton said, the Angola location was a perfect fit, as it was formerly used by Dana Corp. for assembly purposes. "This has a huge potential for growth, enough that we think we can utilize the entire 160,000 square feet," Thornton said. "The facility is uniquely set for fuel assembly. It really is."

Steffy Wood Products, a manufacturer of early childhood wood furniture for schools and daycares, will invest more than $2.3 million to add 20,000 square feet of additional manufacturing space at its existing Angola facility, creating up to 38 new jobs. The company supplies furniture to educational dealers throughout the United States.

"Angola is an ideal area for our manufacturing. The Steuben county location allows easy access to major interstate highways which is critical as we ship products to every state in the U.S. The Steuben County EDC and Indiana EDC were very helpful and played a key role in our decision to stay in Angola," said John Steffy, president and general manager of Steffy Wood Products.

Steffy noted that the company had considered a move to Michigan, but preffered to stay in the city, where the business began in 1998.

Both Fuel Systems of Angola and Steffy Wood Products plan to begin hiring additional production and supervisory associates later this summer as new work is phased in. Additional hiring will take place over the next few years.

Ed Bristow of General Products said the new equipment his company was bringing in would allow for expansion into new industries, including parts for aerospace, heavy trucks, construction equipment and light trucks. The company's abatement submission states that it expects to hire 12 people this year, with another six possible in the future.

"This is a great day for the city of Angola. We are very pleased that John Steffy has decided to expand Steffy Wood Products in Angola. We are also excited that Fuel Systems of Angola has chosen our city to locate their business. The 30 jobs from Steffy Wood Products and the 140 jobs that Fuel Systems of Angola are bringing will be a huge boost to our economy," said Angola Mayor Richard Hickman. "Our thanks to the state, Julie Cole with Angola Economic Development and Gary Nielander at the Steuben County Economic Development Corporation for their help with the project."

Nielander was obviously very pleased with the results of the evening's work.

"We got three hits tonight," Nielander said. "We're very pleased."

The Indiana Economic Development Corporation offered Fuel Systems of Angola up to $750,000 in performance-based tax credits based on the company's job creation plans. Steffy Wood Products was offered up to $80,000 in performance-based tax credits and up to $20,000 in training grants. The city of Angola will provide property tax abatement for both projects at the request of the Steuben County Economic Development Corporation.