KENDALLVILLE - At least 80 new jobs are expected after a $17 million investment is complete at Courier Corp. in Kendallville.

"That is the number of new positions we anticipate," Peter Bolger, Courier's chief financial officer, said Thursday. "Not that they will happen all at once, though."

The North Chelmsford, Mass.-based company's project includes a warehouse expansion and new press installation. The warehouse work is likely to begin in coming weeks and the press installation by year's end.

Courier is a publisher, printer and bookseller that produced more than 175 million books last year. Despite the popularity of e-book readers, Folger said there's still a place for traditional books, especially in niche markets like education and religion.

The Kendallville City Council likely will consider a 10-year tax abatement on Courier's equipment and property. The meeting is at 7 p.m. Tuesday at City Hall, 234 S. Main St.

Rick Sherck, executive director of the Noble County Economic Development Corp., estimates the abatement would save the company about $1 million over the decade.