www.thepaperofwabash.com LOCAL POSTAL
PO Box 603, Wabash, IN 46992 (260) 563-8326
PATRON
IDEM to test wells near Treaty Creek - Page 15 March 2, 2022
Proudly Serving Wabash County Since 1977
PRSRT STD U.S. POSTAGE PAID WABASH, IN PERMIT NO. 233 Vol. 44, No. 51
An artist’s rendering of the Bionutrients facility to be located in the Arc Light Business Park. Photos provided
$58M in investment coming to Wabash
Hello Nature, MPS Egg to build fertilizer manufacturing facility Hello Nature, a global leader in organic fertilizers, biostimulants and microbials, has partnered with sixth-generation Indiana business MPS Egg Farms to form a joint venture that will make a nearly $50 million investment in Wabash, Indiana to construct and operate a specialty fertilizer manufacturing facility. The joint venture, Bionutrients, will combine high-quality raw materials and cutting-edge technologies. Bionutrients will employ 46 people and construct two facilities totaling nearly 300,000 square feet to be built at 1555 Manchester Ave. Wabash. The partners will break ground this spring, with the facility fully operationally in the summer of 2023. This facility will expand Hello Nature’s Indiana presence and complements its two facilities in Anderson. “By expanding our offerings into Indiana’s growing organic farming sector and supporting a sixth-generation, Hoosier-owned business, we couldn’t be more excited to join this partnership,” said Ann Lathrop, executive vice president of global investments for the Indiana Economic Development Corporation (IEDC). “As we work to sustain our local communities, we continue building on our strengths of manufacturing and agribusiness, which allows us to connect locally, regionally and globally. Hello Nature’s investment in Wabash County is impressive, and we’re excited to see the impact it will have for Hoosiers
FREE
and our state.” Based on the company’s job creation plans, the IEDC committed an investment in Hello Nature Specialty Fertilizers of up to $490,000 in the form of incentivebased tax credits. These tax credits are performance-based, meaning the company is eligible to claim incentives once Hoosiers are hired. “We believe that this new production facility will be a turning point for the North American market,” said Luca Bonini, Hello Nature’s CEO. “Today the fertilizer industry undergoes multiple challenges such as rising prices, logistics issues and shortage of inputs, and there is a desperate need for innovative solutions to feed a growing population with less inputs and less land available. Our facility will ensure a regular production of sustainable fertilizers to help North American farmers achieve their yield goals. We are honored to partner with MPS and the Krouse family in this important project.” The project will also enhance MPS operations in and near Wabash. “MPS is excited to partner with Hello Nature to bring their expertise to Wabash. After a thorough review of potential sites in two states, we determined Wabash was the most attractive location and allowed us to expand at home,” said Dan Krouse, vice president of operations at MPS Egg Farms. “We couldn’t be more thrilled to make
An artist’s rendering of the new Plus 5 Global plant to be located in the Arc Light Business Park. Photos provided
Plus5 Global to build rubber recycling facility Plus5 Global, Inc. has announced its intentions to open its first operational processing plant in Wabash County. This eco-tech, upcycling company will bring what CEO Paul Andrade calls a “disruptive yet leading-edge business” to Wabash County with the objective of minimizing its carbon emission footprint, and those of other companies, by creating high value substitutes for traditional carbon and petroleum material that remain cost-effective. “We are excited about our new facility location in such a progrowth atmosphere of the City of Wabash,” Andrade said. “The Wabash site brings with it our benchmark process and product applications that will experience continued innovation as we further our site roll out plan.” Plus5 will invest almost $8.5 mil-
Continued on Page 17
Published Weekly, Read Daily
lion in machinery and equipment and occupy a 43,000 square- foot facility being constructed in the Arc Light Business Park to convert used recyclable rubber materials into industrial products that are in highdemand across the country and internationally. “Indiana’s vision for long-term sustainability is supported by innovative startup companies like Plus5 Global committed to growing in the Hoosier state,” said Ann Lathrop, executive vice president of global investments for the Indiana Economic Development Corporation (IEDC). “The company’s energy-efficient technologies, out-of-the-box thinking, and environmentally friendly solutions will help lead Indiana through an important energy transition while creating quality careers for Hoosiers.” Continued on Page 17
FREE