Niles Township officials are hoping that a growing local credit union planning to build its new headquarters in Michiana will choose the township to call home.
United Federal Credit Union, which announced last week plans to expands its headquarters to accommodate a growing workforce, is looking for 15 to 40 acres of property for the new building.
Niles Township Treasurer Jim Ringler told trustees at Monday’s board meeting that all area municipalities were sent a letter about the credit union’s search for a site for the headquarters.
“Niles is in their path of possible sites to locate,” Ringler said. “Half of their employees live in Indiana and drive to St. Joe (Mich.). That’s one of the factors that makes Niles attractive.”
United Federal Credit Union plans to make more than 500 new hires by the year 2020.
“That’s some exciting potential,” township Clerk Marge Durm-Hiatt said.
Shelly Klug, executive director of the Southwestern Michigan Economic Growth Alliance, is happy to see a business expanding in the area.
“I love hearing about expansion plans that include significant job growth,” she said. “We would be delighted to see a beautiful new building with easy on and off access from U.S. 31, which would also be very convenient for employees.”
United Federal Credit Union, which has nine branches in Michigan including two in Niles, issued a request for proposals for the project last week with the intention to complete the expansion over the next two years.
The institution, which manages assets of more than $1.3 billion, has seen its member base grow about 5 percent in the past year. Its corporate offices and main branch are currently located in St. Joseph.