Indiana Sugars Inc. plans to spend the next hundred years in Gary. The family-owned company announced March 4 the acquisition of the former Majestic Star Hotel and Casino property.
The 101-year-old company credits Gary Mayor Eddie Melton with keeping them in the city.
“It was the engaging and thoughtful efforts of Mayor Eddie Melton and his team that has made sure that Indiana Sugars remains a Gary, Indiana-based firm,” said John Yonover, president and COO, in a press release. “Mayor Melton and his team were passionate about our project and transparent that they didn’t want us to leave. They worked tirelessly with us to make a long-term arrangement that worked for both us and the city of Gary.”
“There is no better place than Gary for Indiana Sugars to grow and expand their historic business,” Melton said. “This move was a top priority for my administration's first 100 days in office. I believe this project is proof that Buffington Harbor and the adjacent footprint will provide Indiana Sugars and future businesses the opportunity to maximize their operations due to Gary’s unique transportation infrastructure.”
The agreement includes 55 acres of land, along with 22 acres that surround Buffington Harbor from Transport Properties. Indiana Sugars will own the majority of land that surrounds the port.
“This is a true win-win opportunity in that we can build a state-of-the-art facility a mere 8 miles from our current Indiana location and allows us to have all our current employees transition to the new facilities over time,” Yonover said. “As we enter our next 100 years, this move strongly positions Indiana Sugars for the future, and to grow within Indiana makes it that much sweeter.”
The company, which manufactures and distributes sugar, plans to begin construction on the first phase of the project in the second quarter of this year. It includes the new plant and a new company headquarters. Phases two and three will focus on more manufacturing and warehouse space. All phases should be completed in 10 years.
The terms of the deal were not disclosed.
Indiana Sugars, which was incorporated in 1923 by Maurice Yonover, has businesses in Illinois, Missouri, Massachusetts, New York and California. It was s
