Pickle factory approved for tax break on $12 million in equipment

Grillo’s Pickles will be able to move forward with their plans in Taylorsville after Bartholomew County Council approved a tax abatement on $12 million in new equipment yesterday.

Representatives from the company appeared before the Bartholomew County Council Monday, outlining their plans to add $12 million more in equipment to the plans for the factory. That’s in addition to the $54 million investment already announced at the plant. They asked for and received a tax abatement on the purchase, which will allow the company to phase in property taxes over 10 years.

The company plans to bring its expected workforce to about 150 employees by the time it fully opens. Wages are expected to be $20 to $30 per hour.

The company has been constructing the $66 million plant near the Interstate 65 and U.S. 31 interchange, adjacent to a planned Kings Hawaiian facility, also owned by Irresistible Foods. The first piece of equipment was installed last week and six employees are working at the site now. The building has a distinctive green color scheme.

Company officials previously said they expect to open late this year or early next year and plan to begin initial hiring of 75 workers later this year. The total work force would be in place by late 2027, they said.

Irresistible Foods total announced investment in Bartholomew County would be nearly a quarter of a billion dollars, including an expected $180 million at the neighboring King’s Hawaiian plant.