Charming Shoppes, Inc., a retail apparel chain specializing in women's plus-sizes, plans "a multi-million dollar investment" over the next two years to expand its distribution and operations center on 123-acres in Greencastle, Indiana, creating up to 135 new jobs.

The firm plans to renovate its plant and install new material handling equipment along with warehouse management systems. "We are extremely pleased to be working with the state of Indiana on our distribution operations project. Our decision to upgrade and expand our Indiana distribution facility provides the opportunity to maximize labor, inventory and transportation efficiencies," said Bryan Q. Eshelman, Charming Shoppes' executive vice president and chief supply chain officer.

Over the years, the Greencastle distribution center has experienced significant growth, in both the size and technology of the facility and the number of associates employed. Today, the facility employs 195 associates and services more than 800 retail stores. In April, the company plans to transfer distribution servicing of its 435 Catherine's Plus Sizes stores from a Maryland distribution center to the Greencastle location.

As an incentive Indiana Economic Development Corporation will provide up to $1.1 million in conditional tax credits and up to $73,600 in training grants The city of Greencastle will also consider additional property tax abatement.