Falk PLI Engineering & Surveying, Inc., an engineering and surveying firm, announced plans today to expand its headquarters here, creating up to 34 new jobs by 2016.
The homegrown-Hoosier company will renovate and equip a 9,000 square-foot facility at AmeriPlex at the Port business park in Portage. The facility, which will be fully operational this fall, will allow the company to expand its market for engineering services to include the power generation industry.
"The success of innovative companies like Falk PLI is proof that Hoosier ingenuity, paired with a prosperous business climate, can foster dramatic growth," said Governor Mike Pence. "With the help of our knowledgeable workforce, low taxes and robust infrastructure, we are working hard to make Indiana stand out as a state that works for business."
Falk PLI, which currently has 33 full-time employees in Indiana, has already begun hiring engineers, technicians and administrative support associates.
"Northwest Indiana has become a client-centric location for our growing business," said Mike Falk, president and chief executive officer of Falk PLI. "While Falk PLI expands our geographic reach and services offered, Indiana remains the place where we can access an expanding base of customers and build upon our strong reputation."
Founded in 1995, Falk PLI provides civil engineering and surveying services for the industrial, commercial and residential sectors. The company, which recently opened an additional office in Pittsburg, Pa., specializes in laser scanning and tracking technology. Falk PLI was the first company in the steel industry to utilize laser technology, allowing for the greatest possible accuracy and speed for precision measurements.
The Indiana Economic Development Corporation offered Falk PLI Engineering & Surveying, Inc. up to $350,000 in conditional tax credits and up to $100,000 in training grants based on the company's job creation plans. These tax credits are performance-based, meaning until Hoosiers are hired, the company is not eligible to claim incentives. The city of Portage approved additional tax abatement at the request of the Portage Economic Development Corporation.
"I am pleased that Falk PLI is expanding and creating even more jobs for Portage residents," said Portage Mayor James E. Snyder. "Businesses in Portage are finding that growing is normal practice as they are embraced by the residents and the city. Falk PLI hires local residents and has found the value of the quality workforce in Portage and the region. We look forward to their continued success."
Just this year, Indiana engineering-related companies, including L&E Engineering, NISCO and Drew Industries, have committed to create more than 1,200 jobs in the Hoosier State. Indiana's nationally-recognized universities produce a steady supply of skilled engineers, with Purdue University's graduate engineering program ranked eighth in the nation and Rose-Hulman's undergraduate engineering program ranked first in the nation for schools without master's degree programs by U.S. News and World Report.
About Falk PLI
Falk PLI was founded in 1995 and is a privately held surveying and engineering firm located in Portage, Ind. Our business philosophy is simply to help our clients realize gains in productivity and profitability. In doing so, we operate in a spirit of continuous improvement and seek excellence in all that we do. For more information about Falk PLI, visit www.falk-pli.com.
About IEDC
Created in 2005 to replace the former Department of Commerce, the Indiana Economic Development Corporation is governed by a 12-member board chaired by Governor Mike Pence. Victor Smith serves as the Indiana Secretary of Commerce and Eric Doden is the president of the IEDC.
The IEDC oversees programs enacted by the General Assembly including tax credits, workforce training grants and public infrastructure assistance. All tax credits are performance-based. Therefore, companies must first invest in Indiana through job creation or capital investment before incentives are paid. A company who does not meet its full projections only receives a percentage of the incentives proportional to its actual investment. For more information about IEDC, visit www.iedc.in.gov.