Spartan Tool, a manufacturer of sewer and drain cleaning equipment, promises to create more than 50 jobs and invest more than $2.2 million into a vacant building in the Niles Industrial Park in exchange for tax abatements from the city.

A subsidiary of Heico Companies, Spartan Tool plans on relocating to the former National Standard facility at 1618 Terminal Road, which has been vacant for 10 years.

Joe Sobieralski, executive director of Southwestern Michigan Economic Growth Alliance, told the Niles City Council Monday the company has promised to create at least 55 jobs over the next two years.

The company also plans to invest around $1 million into rehabbing the facility and purchase approximately $1.2 million in equipment/personal property, he said.

On Monday, the Niles City Council voted to approve two separate tax abatements for Heico/Spartan Tool — one for the plant rehab and the other for the personal property. Both are seven-year abatements.

By law, Sobieralski said the company has two years to move forward with the plan, but Sobieralski said he expects Spartan Tool to begin work this summer.

Daniel VandenHeede was the only councilmember to vote no on the tax abatement request for personal property. He said the Niles company National Standard, which is also a subsidiary of Heico, has not made good on promises made to the city in exchange for tax abatements in the past. Councilmember Gretchen Bertschy expressed similar concerns during the meeting.

Niles Daily Star