KNOX – Knox Industrial Park manufacturer J.W. Hicks has modified the expansion it announced last fall.

   Brian Hicks, his father Jim Hicks, and a project engineer appeared before the Knox City Council last week to explain the changes.

   In all, the completed project will include a $2.5 million, 110,000 sq. ft. addition, and eventually,  20 new employees. The additional employees will mean approximately $650,000 in added payroll at the plant. Also, J.W. Hicks will be purchasing additional land within the industrial park, according to Starke County Economic Development executive director Charles Weaver.

J.W. Hicks well have an expanded footprint, with the original planned addition north of the present plant, and the new addition just south of the new Reagent plant across Pacific Ave..

   J.W. Hicks representatives will appear before the city council at its next meeting to request an additional abatement beyond the one it received last fall.

   J.W. Hicks, which is a quality refractory supplier of equipment for handling, treating and controlling the flow of molten metals , is headquartered  in Merrillville, where it maintains a manufacturing and warehousing operation.

   The additional facilities and operations in Knox will increase J.W. Hicks’ capacity in providing services, recycling and manufacturing