EAST CHICAGO, Ind. (AP) — A company that makes forklifts has reached a deal to move its manufacturing operations from Illinois to East Chicago, creating about new 500 jobs in the northwestern Indiana city.

Real estate services firm Transwestern announced Thursday that Hoist Liftruck Manufacturing Inc. has purchased a building in the East Chicago Enterprise Center and would move its headquarters and manufacturing operations there in January from the Chicago suburb of Bedford Park, Illinois.

The (Munster) Times reports that Hoist Liftruck will occupy about half of the 550,000-square-foot building that was once a factory that made parts for military tanks. It plans to lease out the rest of the space to existing tenants.

Hoist Liftruck has obtained tax breaks and other incentives, including more than $8.4 million from the state.