Spartan Tool is planning on moving into this vacant building at 1618 Terminal Road in Niles. It is a former National Standard facility. Leader photo/CRAIG HAUPERT

Barring a last-minute change of heart, a large manufacturing company will be relocating to a vacant facility in the Niles Industrial Park, creating as many as 50 new jobs.

Spartan Tool, a manufacturer of professional drain and sewer cleaning equipment, is in the final stages of moving to the former National Standard facility, 1618 Terminal Road, Niles.

“We are always cautiously optimistic until we actually see them moving in, but all indications point this is where they want to be,” said Joe Sobieralski, executive director of Southwestern Michigan Economic Growth Alliance.

Juan Ganum, Niles Community Development Director, echoed Sobieralski’s optimism.

“I am fairly confident the company is moving forward to relocate its plant to Niles,” he said.

Spartan Tool could not be reached for comment Thursday.

Sobieralski said Spartan Tool’s employment projections for year one are between 40 and 50 fulltime jobs with the vast majority being toward technical, professional and managerial positions.

Sobieralski said the deal has been several months in the making. He said it was a collaborative effort between SMEGA, the City of Niles and the Michigan Economic Development Corporation.

“I think we all have put together for them a very competitive package,” Sobieralski said. “I think it shows the Niles area is committed to economic development, committed to jobs … We (Michigan) are becoming a competitive state and people are starting to look at us.”

On Monday, the Niles City Council is expected to schedule three public hearings concerning the granting of property tax abatements for Spartan Tool.

Spartan Tool has proposed doing a major restoration of the facility, while investing in machinery and equipment, in addition to creating new jobs.

If the deal goes through, Sobieralski said rehabilitation of the facility could take place in the next six to 12 months.

Since 1943, Spartan Tool has been manufacturing sewer and drain cleaning equipment for the professional user. Originally located in Chicago, Spartan moved to its current headquarters location of Mendota, Ill., in the 1950s.