MANCHESTER, Iowa — A Delhi-based company that manufactures storage containers, storage trailers and mobile offices has plans to consolidate its Delaware County operations by constructing a new 60,000-square-foot facility in Manchester.

To spur the investment, the Iowa Economic Development Authority (IEDA) Board recently approved tax benefits for A-1 Mobile Storage Service LLC to construct a new $5.7 million facility off Burrington Road in Manchester.

According to a press release from IEDA, the new facility is expected to create eight jobs incented at a qualifying wage of $24.97 per hour — 120% of the average wage for Manchester’s laborshed.

In exchange for constructing the facility and providing the jobs, the company will receive tax credits worth $297,000 that will be redeemable after the project is completed, which company officials expect will take between six to eight months.

Kanan Kappelman, marketing manager for IEDA, said the company was selected based on its strong nationwide customer base and future plans for growth.

A-1 Mobile Storage Service Chief Operations Officer and Partner Marty Kelzer said the project provided an opportunity for the company to streamline business operations by bringing everything under one roof while also proving an outlet to invest in the community.

“We’re trying to centralize our facility — right now we have our fabrication and offices in two places,” he said. “And, of course, continuing to invest in our local community by creating jobs and things.”

Donna Boss, executive director of Delaware County Economic Development Corporation, said the project was exciting for the small Iowa community, particularly during a time of economic uncertainty.

“It’s always an exciting time to, especially with the high inflation rate that we’re dealing with right now, to congratulate and have the wonderful celebration of a business looking to expand into Manchester and (create) jobs,” she said.

Consolidating under one roof will also be positive for the company, according to Boss.

“The efficiencies this will do for this company to have everything under one roof … I can’t say enough good things about what that will do for the leaders in that business,” she said.