Jayco, Inc., a recreational vehicle developer and manufacturer, announced plans to expand its headquarters here, creating up to 65 new jobs by 2015.
Jayco will invest $2.9 million to add a 77,000 square-foot extension to an existing 62,000 square-foot facility in Middlebury. The new addition, slated to be complete in May, will house production for Entegra Coach, the company's high-end motor home line.
Jayco, which currently employs more than 1,700 Hoosiers on its 373 acre-campus in Middlebury, plans to begin filling additional manufacturing positions this spring.
"Northern Indiana has been our primary base of operation since the company was founded in 1968," said Wilbur Bontrager, chairman of the board and chief executive officer of Jayco. "The strengthening economy, Jayco's market share growth, available labor force and Indiana's business-friendly environment all combine to give us the confidence to make this expansion move now. We look forward to continuing to work with both state and local government to create jobs and to boost our company's momentum."
Founded in 1968 by Lloyd J. Bontrager in two chicken coops and a barn, Jayco has grown to become the third largest recreational vehicle manufacturer in the United States and Canada, selling to more than 500 dealers around the world. With the goal of being landfill free by 2015, Jayco recycled 5,438 tons of wood, 1,332 tons of scrap metal and 793 tons of cardboard last year.
The Indiana Economic Development Corporation offered Jayco, Inc. up to $775,000 in conditional tax credits based on the company's job creation plans. These tax credits are performance-based, meaning until Hoosiers are hired, the company is not eligible to claim incentives. The town of Middlebury supports this project at the request of the Economic Development Corporation of Elkhart County.
Earlier this year, Daniels met with recreational vehicle company executives at the RV/MH Hall of Fame in Elkhart to discuss the comeback of the industry in Indiana. According to the Recreation Vehicle Industry Association, the RV industry produced 252,400 units nationally in 2011, a 41 percent increase from the year before. More than 83 percent of all American-made RVs built during this time period were produced in Indiana.
About Jayco
Jayco, Inc., headquartered in Middlebury, Indiana, is the largest privately-held manufacturer of recreation vehicles in North America. The company builds and markets RVs under 21 nameplates through more than 500 dealers word-wide. The company's three RV operating divisions are Jayco RV, Starcraft RV and Entegra Coach.
About IEDC
Created by Governor Mitch Daniels in 2005 to replace the former Department of Commerce, the Indiana Economic Development Corporation is governed by a 12-member board chaired by Governor Daniels. Dan Hasler serves as the chief executive officer of the IEDC.
The IEDC oversees programs enacted by the General Assembly including tax credits, workforce training grants and public infrastructure assistance. All tax credits are performance-based. Therefore, companies must first invest in Indiana through job creation or capital investment before incentives are paid. A company who does not meet its full projections only receives a percentage of the incentives proportional to its actual investment. For more information about IEDC, visit www.iedc.in.gov.