Highland Ridge RV released more information about its plans to expand its Shipshewana, Ind. operation, including the price of the expansion.
The company announced plans last year to build the 92,000-square-foot facility, which it hopes will bring an additional 65 new jobs to the area over the next three years.
The company, which is a subsidiary of Middlebury, Indiana-based Jayco, will invest $5.68 million to construct and equip a 92,000-square-foot facility on the company’s current Shipshewana campus at 3195 North State Road 5.
According to the release, rising sales caused the company to outgrow its 45,000-square-foot manufacturing facility, and it plans to break ground on its new operation later this spring. Construction is expected to be complete in September, allowing the company to double production of its Light and Ultra Lite trailers sold in the United States and Canada.
“With more Hoosiers working than ever before in our state’s history and an unmatched Hoosier workforce, Indiana is the place for economic growth and opportunity,” Indiana Gov. Mike Pence said in the statement. “More than 80 percent of the world’s RVs are made here in Indiana, making us the driving force for RV sales. Thanks to companies like LaGrange County’s Highland Ridge RV, Indiana continues to lead the nation in manufacturing employment as Hoosiers across the state produce goods that power our world.”
Highland Ridge RV, which currently employs more than 330 full-time Indiana associates, plans to begin hiring in August for various positions, including line workers, line engineers, receivers and a quality manager. Interested applicants may apply online beginning in April by visiting the company's website and searching for specific job postings.
The Indiana Economic Development Corp. offered Highland Ridge RV Inc. up to $675,000 in conditional tax credits based on the company's job creation plans.
These incentives are performance-based, meaning until Hoosiers are hired, the company is not eligible to claim incentives. The town of Shipshewana will consider additional incentives at the request of the LaGrange County Economic Development Corporation.