LaPorte licorice maker to grow, add jobs

Indiana

INDIANAPOLIS – The American Civil Liberties Union of Indiana is taking the battle over specialty auto license plates for a gay and lesbian youth counseling group to federal court.Today 11:24 am

Foes fight plan to swap Mary statues

ST. JOHN, Ind. – A church’s plan for moving a 15-foot-tall marble Virgin Mary statue from along a northwestern Indiana highway has opponents threatening a court fight. St.Today 10:41 am

Indiana Toll Road rates increase for some July 1

GRANGER – The cost of driving on the Indiana Toll Road is going up for motorists not using transponders to pay.ITR Concession Co.Today 9:38 am

LaPORTE, Ind. – A northern Indiana factory that makes candy and licorice is planning a $10 million expansion company officials say will add 35 new jobs by 2015.

American Licorice Co. plans to renovate its 285,000-square-foot LaPorte plant and install a licorice production line and a rail spur to transport ingredients to the plant.

The Times of Munster reports (http://bit.ly/11R63cL) that American Licorice is one of the nation’s original licorice manufacturers. The company produces Red Vines, Sour Punch, Natural Vines, Super Ropes and Snaps.

The Bend, Ore.-based firm employs 150 Indiana residents at its LaPorte plant and 500 nationwide.

The Indiana Economic Development Corporation offered American Licorice up to $200,000 in tax credits based on the company’s job creation plans. Those incentives are contingent on the company hiring Indiana residents.