Fort Wayne GM plant seeks tax break for upgrade

FORT WAYNE, Ind. - A spokeswoman for General Motors' Fort Wayne truck assembly plant says it wants local officials to approve a tax abatement for a $1 billion upgrade.

Spokeswoman Stephanie Jentgen said Monday that executives at the Fort Wayne plant are trying to make a case to company leaders for such an investment. She says the Fort Wayne plant is competing with other GM facilities that also want to make improvements, and it's uncertain when GM will determine if the project goes forward.

The Allen County Council will consider the 10-year abatement Thursday. If approved and the improvement goes forward, the abatement would save GM more than $15 million.

It's not clear whether the upgrade would create any new jobs at the plant that now employs more than 4,100 workers.