MERRILLVILLE, Ind. (AP) -- An Illinois manufacturer says it will open a factory in northwestern Indiana, where it expects to hire perhaps 240 workers in the next few years.
Officials of Blue Island, Ill.-based Modern Forge announced Tuesday that it would set up forging production lines, engineering and general offices and a die shop in an existing Merrillville facility.
The Indiana Economic Development Corp. says that once the new factory is fully operational, the company's Blue Island facility will likely close.
Modern Forge owner Greg Heim cited what he called Indiana's "positive business environment" for selecting the Merrillville site. Indiana economic officials have been trying to entice moves by Illinois companies following an increase this year in the Illinois corporate tax rate.
Modern Forge makes parts for the aerospace, truck and marine industries.