Area Development
Genesis Products, Inc., a wood products manufacturer for the recreational vehicle, kitchen cabinet and furniture industries, will invest $4 million expand its Elkhart, Indiana, Manufacturing Center, creating up to 100 new jobs by 2016.

The Elkhart-headquartered company will renovate and equip its 114,500 square-foot facility located at 1806 Conant Ave. As part of the project, Genesis will install new manufacturing and production lines, which are expected to be operational this year.

"Our Genesis team has worked extremely hard to build long-standing and trusted relationships with our customers and this growth opportunity is the result of those efforts," said Jon Wenger, chief executive officer of Genesis. "Through this expansion, Genesis will continue to add value to our customers and offer a greater ability to serve them. We believe in the RV industry and in keeping our presence firmly rooted in Elkhart."

"Companies like Genesis continue to reinforce Indiana's reputation as the RV capital of the world," said Governor Mike Pence. "The tremendous growth this company has experienced in a short time span illustrates the success of our hardworking workforce and pro-growth business policies." Genesis, which currently has more than 180 full-time employees in Indiana, has already begun hiring additional supervision, production and maintenance associates.

As an incentive, The Indiana Economic Development Corporation offered Genesis Products, Inc. up to $475,000 in conditional tax credits and up to $50,000 in training grants 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. In addition, the city of Elkhart approved additional property abatement at the request of the Economic Development Corporation of Elkhart County.

"We are excited to have Genesis expanding their Elkhart operations, as they have done an amazing job of growing this business in a short period of time," said Elkhart Mayor Dick Moore. "This is another testament to the fact that the entrepreneurial spirit is alive and well and continuing to grow in our community."