A recreational vehicle developer and manufacturer, Jayco, Inc., will invest $2.9 million to expand its Middlebury, Indiana, production complex, creating up to 65 new jobs by 2015.

The firm plans to add a 77,000 square-foot extension to its existing 62,000 square-foot plant facility to 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.”

“Jobs announcements from RV manufacturing leaders like Jayco further prove that Elkhart County is coming back stronger than ever,” said Governor Mitch Daniels. “Elkhart remains the RV capital of the world and is a major center of economic strength for Indiana thanks to our state’s enterprise-friendly policies and remarkably skilled workforce.”

As an incentive, the Indiana Economic Development Corporation provided Jayco with 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 is pleased to see that Jayco is doing well,” said Mark Salee, town manager of Middlebury. “The town is committed to supporting all the businesses in Middlebury, especially a company such as Jayco. This expansion of the Jayco facilities is a good sign of economic growth in our community.”