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Western Power Sports, Inc. announced today that it will locate a distribution center in Ashley, creating up to 40 new jobs by 2012.
Western Power Sports is the second company to announce plans to locate a distribution center in the small town of Ashley, Ind. this year. In January, Family Dollar Stores, Inc. said it would start construction on a $70 million, 815,000 square-foot distribution center in the Dekalb County town this spring, creating up to 350 new jobs starting in 2012.
A wholesale distributor of parts and accessories for motorcycles, all-terrain vehicles, snowmobiles, watercraft and bicycles, Western Power Sports will invest $3.8 million to lease and equip an existing facility in Ashley to serve as its distribution center for the Upper Midwest.
"Indiana continues to invest in its world-class logistics infrastructure and it's paying off - two new companies in Ashley in as many months is a tremendous economic boost for Hoosiers in the Northeast corner of our state," said Governor Mitch Daniels.
Western Power Sports plans to begin hiring associates immediately.
"We are excited about our new home in Ashley. We knew that we wanted to be in Indiana to provide our dealers in the Midwest region with one and two day shipping. After two years of looking and waiting for the right warehouse, community and timing we chose Ashley. We have found everything we needed here and couldn't be happier. The town of Ashley and the surrounding community has been gracious and helpful. This makes it easier to bring more jobs and expansion of our warehouse in the years to come," said Craig Shoemaker, president and chief executive officer of Western Power Sports.
The company is the third largest wholesale distributor in the United States and in addition to the new Dekalb County warehouse it also has warehouses in Idaho, California, Tennessee and Pennsylvania.
The Indiana Economic Development Corporation offered Western Power Sports, Inc. up to $150,000 in performance-based tax credits and up to $15,000 in training grants based on the company's job-creation plans. DeKalb County will consider additional property tax abatement at the request of the Dekalb County Economic Development Partnership.
"The town of Ashley is elated that WPS has chosen our community to locate their warehouse to serve the Midwest. We welcome WPS and are looking forward to working with them in the years to come," said Randy McEntarfer, Ashley Town Planner.
About Western Power Sports
Incorporated in 1960, Western Power Sports is a wholesaler/distributor of power sports parts and accessories with corporate headquarters in Boise, Idaho. WPS distributes over 85,000 SKU's that include Motorcycle, ATV, Snowmobile, Watercraft and Bicycle parts and accessories. Currently the third largest wholesale distributor in the U.S., WPS has a strong foothold on the power sports market with warehouses located in Boise, Idaho; Fresno, California; Memphis, Tennessee; and Elizabethtown, Pennsylvania.
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. Mitch Roob serves as the chief executive officer of the IEDC. For more information about IEDC, visit www.iedc.in.gov .
