MERRILLVILLE | The Town Council gave a growing Merrillville business a tax incentive on Tuesday to keep it in town.
Councilmen unanimously approved 10-year real estate and personal property tax abatement for Horizon Financial Management, which provides billing and practice management services to health care providers across the country.
The business, which has 60 employees, currently operates from six suites in the Chase building at 8585 Broadway.
Holladay Properties would build a new a 20,000-square-foot office in the AmeriPlex at the Crossroads development, which is near 101st Avenue and Broadway. Horizon would move into the new facility so it could expand its business.
Frank Termini, managing partner at Horizon, said the new facility could house up to 240 employees.
Larry Mudd, vice president of development at Holladay, said the investment for the new facility would be about $3 million.
"Thank you for staying in the town instead of moving," said council President Shawn Pettit after the council approved resolutions for the abatement.
Construction could start in March, and the project would take about five months to complete.
In other business, the council granted a special exception for a new church looking to open at 5650 Harrison St.
The Rev. Robert Mabon would remodel an existing building to start the Solid Foundation church there.
Tuesday's approval came with multiple conditions, including a fellowship hall at the facility only would be used by church members and the parking situation would be reviewed next year.
Councilman Tom Goralczyk said he is concerned the property might not have sufficient parking if the church's congregation grows.
Mabon told councilmen he is exploring the possibility of purchasing adjacent lots to expand parking for the church.
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