Quantcast

The DNAinfo archives brought to you by WNYC.
Read the press release here.

2 West Humboldt Park Businesses Announce Self-Funded $2 Million Expansion

By Evan F. Moore | April 15, 2016 3:47pm | Updated on April 18, 2016 9:45am
 Cook County Commissioner Richard Boykin (1st) , Joel Fink, the president/CEO of Allied Metal Company  and Ald. Emma Mitts (37th). Left to right.
Cook County Commissioner Richard Boykin (1st) , Joel Fink, the president/CEO of Allied Metal Company and Ald. Emma Mitts (37th). Left to right.
View Full Caption
DNAinfo/Evan F. Moore

WEST HUMBOLDT PARK— Two West Humboldt Park businesses have expanded in order to increase the number of jobs available to the local community.

Community members, elected officials and otherwise concerned citizens attended a ribbon cutting ceremony Friday at Allied Metal Company. The company is adding five acres to its automotive recycling and used parts business, located at 1300 N. Kostner Ave. 

Ald. Emma Mitts (37th) cut the ribbon to help celebrate the expansion for both Allied Metal Company and Again Auto Parts. 

Mitts says her intention was to bring more jobs into the community. 

"The goal is to create jobs. I don't care how many jobs, at least we created some jobs," Mitts said. "The community didn't want this at first. Now, they understand the expansion will bring in jobs and revenue. We have jobs for them to come and apply for."

Cook County Commissioner Richard Boykin (1st) echoes Mitts' sentiments by saying that the expansion can help people who've struggled to find work.

"This is one of the most depressed neighborhoods on the West Side of Chicago. This will give the community a shot in the arm," Boykin said. "We need to hire as many people from this community as we can. We got to give the community hope because that's what a job does. "

The self-funded $2 million expansion gives both companies a 30,000 square ft. warehouse, along with giving Again Auto Parts another 500 cars and trucks for their customers to choose from.

Joel Fink, the president/CEO of Allied Metal Company says it is important to keep jobs within the local community. His family has owned the business since 1952.

"The expansion helps Allied Metal Company remain competitive in the global manufacturing business by allowing us more room to grow and keep jobs in the area," Fink said. "If people want to work, we have the jobs."

Allied Metal Company supplies aluminum and zinc alloys to the die casting and foundry businesses which cast parts for the automotive, appliance, construction, and electronics industry.

The expansion makes Again Auto Parts the city's largest fully paved and blended full-service, and self-service recycling and used auto parts business.  

Together the two businesses employ about 100 people. 

For more neighborhood news, listen to DNAinfo Radio here: