MERRILLVILLE | Modern Forge Companies' relocation to Merrillville from Blue Island, Ill., is four to five months behind schedule, but a company official and town leaders remain enthusiastic about the project.
Patrick Thompson, Modern Forge's chief financial officer, said there are three phases to opening the facility at 8757 Colorado St.
The first phase involves ground excavation work, which is nearly complete, Thompson said.
Modern Forge, which is expected to bring 250 new jobs to Northwest Indiana, also has started remodeling the existing building at the Colorado Street site. That portion of the project is expected to take several months to complete, Thompson said.
The last aspect of the work involves constructing a forging building that will be connected to the existing structure, he said.
Modern Forge has purchased steel and siding panels for the addition. Thompson said the company could begin erecting the steel in October, and the new structure should be under roof by the beginning of 2013.
Thompson anticipates Modern Forge will have the Merrillville location completely operational by the beginning of 2014.
"There's still quite a bit of work," he said.
Thompson expressed disappointment the project is behind schedule but said he is "still very excited" about moving to Merrillville.
"It just takes more time" than Modern Forge initially anticipated, he said.
Town Councilman Tom Goralczyk speculated Modern Forge's move to the town was behind schedule before he recently received a project update from Thompson.
"It's a work in progress," Goralczyk said.
Merrillville officials have supported the project since it was first discussed last year.
In particular, Council President Shawn Pettit is looking forward to the new jobs the company will bring to the area.
Goralczyk said he hopes Modern Forge's presence in the town could lead to more companies moving to Merrillville.
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