Wheeling company gets tax break to expand

Wheeling officials have backed giving a company a tax break that will allow them to build an addition onto their building on Hintz Road.

Engis Corp., which manufactures polishing agents, opened in 1990 and wants to tack on another 54,000 square feet to its 67,000-square-foot building, said Mark Gray, the company’s vice president and chief financial officer.

Currently, the Wheeling business employees 125 people. Gray expects that figure to climb to about 150 once the addition opens in November or December.

“We have weathered the tough times during the recession and we’re ready to keep up with our growing customer demand,” Gray told the Wheeling Village Board on Monday.

The board unanimously voted to support the company’s application for a tax assessment incentive known as a Class 6b. The assessment would be 10 percent of the building’s value for 10 years, then rise over the next two years, according to documents the company filed.

Cook County has final approval of the application.