Noblesville weighs tax breaks for growing robotics firm

A 10-year-old company that designs and builds robotic systems for industrial clients plans to invest nearly $2 million to build and equip a facility in Noblesville Business Park.

Noblesville’s Common Council are weighing a seven-year tax phase-in for RZ Automation, which has a staff of nine working in leased space on Herriman Boulevard. Owner Tony Hillers expects to add five employees by 2017 as the company doubles or triple its production capacity.

The new positions will pay an average of $60,000 a year, said Courtney Zaugg, an economic development specialist for the city.

Council members on Tuesday approved a preliminary resolution establishing the tax break, which would save RZ Automation about $141,000 over seven years.

If the deal goes through, the company would build a 15,000-square-foot facility on 150th Street near Cumberland Road. It also considered a location in Westfield.

Also Tuesday, the Common Council authorized about $225,000 in tax breaks for Pharmakon LTC Pharmacy and sister firm Pharmakon Pharmaceuticals, which plans to move its growing drug repackaging operation from Carmel to Noblesville’s Corporate Campus.

Pharmakon expects to employ 65 at the new facility on Getz Road in Noblesville this year and plans to add 70 positions by the end of 2018.