Stair manufacturer relocating from Romeoville to Hammond

HAMMOND, Ind. (AP) - American Stair Corp. is relocating from Romeoville, Illinois, to Hammond, creating up to 180 jobs by 2018.

The Indiana Economic Development Corp. said Wednesday that the manufacturer of steel stairs and railings will invest $2.9 million to purchase, renovate and equip a 60,000-square-foot plant while adding an additional 12,000 square feet in production space.

American Stair currently employs more than 140 full-time workers in Romeoville, located about 30 miles west of Hammond. The IEDC says the company has begun hiring detailers, estimators, welders, grinders and layout specialists for the Hammond operation.

The IEDC offered American Stair up to $1.7 million in conditional tax credits. It says the Northwest Indiana Regional Development Authority offered a no-interest, forgivable loan, and the city of Hammond approved additional incentives.