DeKalb County Next For Forest River Growth
Forest River Inc. is headquartered in Elkhart.
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As a subscriber you can listen to articles at work, in the car, or while you work out. Subscribe NowElkhart-based Forest River Manufacturing LLC plans to expand again. The recreational and commercial vehicle maker is looking to add 125 jobs by 2019 as part of a $2.9 million investment into new construction and renovations at its Butler operations.
In January, Forest River announced plans for up to 425 jobs in LaGrange County, which represents a $6.7 million proposed investment. In August, Inside INdiana Business also reported on the company’s plans to locate to an empty warehouse in Ligonier, adding approximately 130 jobs. The company’s footprint also includes facilities in Goshen, Millersburg, Topeka, Middlebury and Wakarusa. It currently employs some 11,000 Hoosiers.
Forest River Director of Public Relations Mike Stump says "we picked Indiana because it is our home and we know the people. Butler, Indiana offers us the ability to access a hard working rural community, where the work force has not been depleted and are ready to do big things. This community reached out to us, and we found that there are families that want to grow with a new opportunity. The timing was right at Forest River, and it just made sense for us to step outside the Elkhart/Goshen region. We are really excited about what lies ahead and look forward to working with the people of Butler and DeKalb County."
The expansion in DeKalb County is expected to be complete by fall of 2018 and will involve expanded and remodeled purchasing, production and dispatching operations. Forest River has immediate openings for electricians, plumbers, framers, finish carpenters, quality control inspectors, metal hangers and cleaners. The jobs are expected to pay higher average wages than the county average.
Forest River has been offered up to $1.2 million in conditional tax credits and training grants from the Indiana Economic Development Corp. and could receive additional incentives from the city of Butler. You can connect to more about the company’s most recent expansion by clicking here.