MICHIGAN CITY, Ind. -- Family-owned D. Martin Enterprises has started moving forward onto the next step of its new manufacturing facility.

The property tax abatement was approved as the company seeks to purchase necessary equipment for the new building.

The new facility will expand steel industry offerings with approximately 112,350 square feet of manufacturing space and 4,000 square feet of office space.

“Machinery and equipment that we will purchase for production of refractory shapes has received a five-year tax abatement, with the timeline allowing us three years to purchase the items,” said Cory Martin, director of HR/Communications at D. Martin Enterprises.

Economic Development Corporation Michigan City Executive Director Clarence L. Hulse said the development process is on track to make a significant impact on the steel industry and business community.

“Our city leaders understand how important our longstanding businesses are to the fabric of our entrepreneurial environment here in Michigan City,” Hulse said.

“We are honored to have a family-owned company invest in our city and continue to build on roots established decades ago.”

The company began with Don Martin Sr. and his wife Betty providing a range of solutions for the electric arc furnace steel mills across the country.

The company has nearly 100 employees and is on the verge of bringing a new process to the market.

“We’ve been in Michigan City for 40 years, and this growth is exciting. We couldn’t imagine expanding our business anywhere else, it’d be like selling the family home and starting over again,” Martin said.

“As we expand into supplying the nation’s steel mills with specialized pre-shaped refractories and continue to grow our core business as a refractory manufacturer’s representative, we know this community will be an incredible support.”