Three of Gary's biggest employers are growing at the same time, a wave of investment the city hasn't seen in decades.

FedEx, U.S. Steel and Indiana Sugars have all been hiring after major expansion projects in Gary, the NWI Times first reported Oct. 24 in a story by reporter Joseph S. Pete.

The expansions span steel production, logistics and food manufacturing. Here's what each project involves.

U.S. Steel restarting Gary Tin Mill

U.S. Steel announced April 16 that it plans to restart the Gary Tin Mill at its Gary Works facility. The company expects the restart to occur in early 2027, according to a company press release.

The move is expected to support approximately 225 jobs at Gary Works. Estimated restart costs run between $15 million and $20 million, primarily for equipment inspections, maintenance and materials needed to resume production.

"Customers are increasingly focused on securing dependable domestic supply they can count on over the long term," U.S. Steel President and CEO David B. Burritt said in the announcement. "Restarting the Gary Tin Mill positions us to serve that demand, support domestic manufacturing, and strengthen critical U.S. supply chains."

The restart hinges on sustained customer interest in domestic tin mill supply and market conditions that allow for fair competition, the company said. Tin mill products made at the facility would go into food and beverage packaging, aerosol products and oil filtration goods.

Separately, Nippon Steel Corporation's acquisition of U.S. Steel included a pledged $3.1 billion investment in Gary Works, City Journal reported in January. That figure represents the largest investment in the facility since the city's founding.

FedEx building $60 million distribution center

FedEx pledged to build a $60 million, 300,000-square-foot distribution center just north of the Gary/Chicago International Airport on Buffington Harbor Drive, the Chicago Tribune reported in September. The facility is expected to open in 2027 and create 600 jobs.

The FedEx project sits near the airport's new $24 million, 55-acre cargo campus, which opened Sept. 8. The airport already ranks third in freight volume in Indiana, officials said at the ribbon cutting.

Mayor Eddie Melton credited federal, state and local partnerships for the cargo campus. The federal government provided $13 million, Indiana added $10 million and Gary contributed $1 million, the Tribune reported.

Indiana Sugars expanding at Buffington Harbor

Indiana Sugars, a family-owned sugar manufacturer and distributor founded in 1923, announced in March 2024 that it completed the purchase of 77 acres at Buffington Harbor. The company said in a press release it would build a new headquarters and manufacturing facilities on the site, previously home to the Majestic Star Hotel and Casino.

The multi-phase development plan is expected to take up to 10 years to complete. The new site is served by two Class I railroads and sits adjacent to a deepwater port.

John Yonover, Indiana Sugars president and COO, said the company had considered multiple sites before choosing to stay in Gary. Melton worked to keep the company in the city, according to the press release.

"Mayor Melton and his team were passionate about our project and transparent that they didn't want us to leave," Yonover said in the announcement. "They worked tirelessly with us to make a long-term arrangement that worked for both us and the City of Gary."

What's next

U.S. Steel's tin mill restart is targeted for early 2027, subject to maintenance, materials procurement and workforce readiness. The FedEx distribution center is also expected to open in 2027. Indiana Sugars' expansion will unfold in phases over the next several years.