Monster Moto opened company’s new headquarters and manufacturing campus in Ruston, Louisiana. The facility, 69 miles east of Shreveport, assembles minibikes, go-carts and other youth-oriented vehicles.

Originally based in the Dallas area, the company relocated its operations to the Ruston facility, which houses the company’s headquarters, a product showroom, warehouse space and an assembly plant equipped to make all of the items in Monster Moto’s product line. Over the next decade, the project is expected to create 287 new direct jobs.

Monster Moto’s relocation consisted of a $4 million capital investment as part of a public-private development to build a 100,000-square-foot facility housing the company’s operations at the former site of Ruston’s municipal airport, according to Louisiana Economic Development.

The new facility also will shift the company’s manufacturing operations from overseas to the U.S. to meet the demand of retailers for U.S.-made vehicles. The Monster Moto facility in Ruston was designed to allow expansion up to 300,000 square feet in the future.

“Manufacturing is having a powerful impact on North Louisiana,” Monster Moto CEO Alexander Keechle said. “Support and service from local businesses and organizations has been a huge benefit for Monster Moto and the economy. LED is a partner organization to Monster Moto. They are a shining example of the way government and industry should partner. A true force multiplier, LED has provided critical assistance to us for onshoring our operations. We are humbled to work with them.”

To secure the project, the State of Louisiana offered Monster Moto an incentive package that includes Louisiana’s Competitive Projects Payroll Incentive Program. The company also is receiving the comprehensive workforce solutions of LED FastStart, and is utilizing the state’s Industrial Tax Exemption Program.  

In addition, the City of Ruston provided seven acres for the project through the Lincoln Economic Development Council, and Monster Moto entered into a long-term lease on the building, with the option to provide additional acreage.

The facility was constructed by a limited liability company, consisting of local builders, at the site of the former Ruston Municipal Airport that ceased operations in 1990 and was replaced by Ruston Regional Airport. The 90-acre former airport site is now known as Russtown Industrial Park, with Monster Moto as its initial tenant.  In addition to the industrial site, Monster Moto selected Ruston for its proximity to Louisiana Tech University.