WARSAW — Kosciusko County Redevelopment Commission approved two tax increment financing funds at its Thursday, Oct. 8, meeting.

The commission approved a co-op TIF district and the US 30 West TIF declaratory resolution.

The new co-op TIF resolution is for a $750,000 maximum cap. It will be used for a county fiber optic project that has begun. The project has been bid and bids were less than anticipated.

“We will only use what we need,” said Chad Miner, the county’s attorney. The county will save about $513,000 in interest on the bond. TIF funds will pay back the county economic development income tax funds.

The other TIF district is a declaratory resolution for road improvement work west of Warsaw. “It’s the first step in getting a TIF area established,” said Miner.

The road work will cost approximately $615,000. The work will take place from US 30 to Old Road 30, starting in Warsaw and going west to Etna Green. Work will be redone on CR 350W and CR 875W, and eventually going south to West CR 125N, like a triangle, said Miner.

Also, during the 23-minute long meeting, George Robertson, president of Kosciusko Economic Development Corp., gave an update on new business. As of August, 602 new manufacturing jobs have been created in the county.

He also had two announcements. A snowmaking equipment business will be securing property and relocating in the county. It is the No. 1 snowmaking producer in the U.S., according to Robertson, and one of the largest internationally. The company, Torrent Engineering and Equipment, is currently working at a farm on North Orn Road near Milford.

“It will be doubling its size,” added Robertson. “It’s a neat project.”

Also, an orthopedic company will be adding 50 new jobs. “It’s a good year for us,” he said. “We are working diligently.”

He did note there is a workforce shortage. He said, “If we get $200,000 in funding, we can add 90 new machinists in 18 months for another 120 people. These are people who are unemployed or under employed.”

He said the county is one of eight municipalities seeking the grant. “We have a 50/50 shot,” he said.

The next meeting is at 1 p.m. Nov. 12, at the county courthouse, Warsaw.