A Rensselaer-based maker of filtration equipment and accessories is diversifying and launching a new business unit to produce personal protective equipment.
According to a statement from the Indiana Economic Development Corp., American Melt Blown & Filtration, will launch a startup company to produce N95 masks and other medical-grade supplies to aid in the global COVID-19 pandemic response effort. The new company will be called Indiana Face Mask and is expected to employ 14 people.
Indiana Face Mask is being launched by Fred Geyer and his wife, Stephanie, and their son Clayton. The Geyers plan to renovate a vacant 25,360-square-foot building in Rensselaer into a federally approved, personal protective equipment production facility. The building is expected to be operational by fall and capable of producing 17 million face masks annually when at full capacity.
“Across the state, Indiana businesses are answering the call to support the COVID-19 response effort, shifting gears to produce, source and donate personal protective equipment to frontline workers and health care providers,” Gov. Eric Holcomb said. “We’re incredibly grateful for the Geyer family's commitment to supporting our state and their fellow Hoosiers during these unprecedented times.”
Fred Geyer said Indiana Face Mask looks forward to producing PPE for frontline workers.
“We're happy to be able to bring tested, certified and proven PPE supplies to our frontline workers here in Indiana and across the nation,” Fred Geyer said. “As a company, we've always been focused on delivering quality, American-made products, and we're excited to uphold these same values as we work together with the state and city to launch this new venture in our community.”
The Indiana Economic Development Corp. offered Indiana Face Mask up to $130,000 in conditional tax credits based on the company’s job creation plans. These tax credits are performance-based, meaning the company is eligible to claim incentives once Hoosiers are hired, the state said.
The state said the city of Rensselaer approved a $32,000 personal property tax abatement upon Indiana Face Mask’s anticipated capital investment and job creation.
