Kaplan Cos. recently announced the opening of the Lofts at Helmetta, a 200-unit rental community at the site of former snuff tobacco factory in Helmetta. These lofts are tremendous for the town; it is absolutely amazing what they have done, Helmetta Mayor Chris Slavicek said. Kaplan Cos. invested $50 million to convert the site into a rental community, which includes a 3,700-square-foot resident lounge, a gym and a café. The company also added a heated saltwater pool, a natural gas fire pit, barbeques, a tennis court and two basketball courts. The site is comprised of a 106-unit main structure, The Helme Building, 20 townhouses and The Mills, which will open in April and will add another 74 rental units. Before Kaplan Cos. opened the Lofts at Helmetta, the former snuff mill site had been closed since 1993, after operating for more than 100 years.