Two companies expanding in Wayne County
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A pair of companies in Wayne County is planning to expand operations, the EDC of Wayne County announced Monday. The projects from Vandor Corp. and Dot Transportation Inc. total $8.3 million in investment and the creation of more than 70 jobs.
Vandor Group says it will add a new product line to one of the facilities for its Reel Options division in Richmond, as well as constructing nearly 18,000 square feet of additional space to its Vandor Funeral Products facility.
The company is investing a total of $2.8 million for both products and expects to create 28 full-time jobs over the next three years.
The EDC of Wayne County has offered a $38,000 Economic Development Income Tax grant for the projects, which still requires approval from the Wayne County Commissioners. The city of Richmond has approved additional tax abatements.
“Vandor offers a solid history of positive impact and gainful employment in Richmond,” Mayor Dave Snow said in written remarks. “I am thrilled to see this continued expansion and look forward to future growth.”
Reel Options manufactures plastic reels and spools for a variety of markets, including wire & cable, cordage, and fiber optics. Vandor Funeral Products is comprised of subsidiaries that make caskets and cremation products.
Meanwhile, Illinois-based Dot Transportation says it will invest a total of $5.5 million to expand office space and make additional improvements at its location inside the Indiana Gateway Industrial Park in Cambridge City. The project is in conjunction with the company’s Earn to Learn semi-truck driver training program.
Dot Transportation is a subsidiary of Dot Foods, and says the project will allow for previous office space to be converted to a truck driver lounge and also include parking lot and gate station enhancements.
The company plans to create 43 full-time semi-truck driver positions by 2025 through the Earn to Learn program, which pays tuition for non-CDL Class A applicants to attend school to earn their license, followed by a 10-week training program.
“Dot Transportation, Inc. has been dedicated to finding ways to increase the number of semi-truck drivers for the company in a time where a national shortage of drivers is at an all-time high,” said EDC President Valerie Shaffer. “We’ve seen their efforts pay off and that’s great news for Cambridge City and our county. It’s exciting to see this company continue to grow in Wayne County.”
The expansion is set to be complete by March 2023.
The company is set to receive an $86,000 EDIT grant, which also requires approval from the Wayne County Commissioners.