A Whitley County industrial park will get its first tenant in the coming months. Qualitex Inc. will build a plant on 2.3 acres in the Park 30 Business Center off of U.S. 30 east of Columbia City.

Qualitex will design, engineer and prototype parts for customers in the aerospace, agricultural, automotive and orthopedic industries, Rick Williams, the company’s owner, said. Construction of the $1.5 million project likely will be complete by October and the company will hire 10 to 15 employees.

The positions will be for engineers and other professionals. Williams said they’ll probably pay in the range of $20 to $25 an hour.

Park 30 is owned by Northeastern REMC. The Whitley County Redevelopment Commission will subsidize extending roads and sewers to the industrial park.

Star offering startup temporary free rent

Star Financial Bank and Star Insurance Agency will award one year of free rent to a South Whitley startup business.

Star has renovated its South Whitley bank branch and moved its insurance operation into the same building. Star Insurance’s former office at 121 S. State St. is now available and will be given to the winner of a contest that will judge submitted business plans and applications.

In addition to free rent, the winner will receive a business review, an insurance review, marketing advice and information technology assistance from Star professionals.

The deadline for submissions is July 1. For more information, contact Todd Jones at 260-248-6061.