American Licorice Company, a candy and licorice manufacturer, will invest $10 million to expand its La Porte, Indiana, operations center, adding jobs for 35 additional Hoosiers to its workforce of 150.

The Bend, Oregon-headquartered company will invest approximately $10 million to equip and renovate its 285,000 square-foot facility at 1900 Whirlpool Drive. The expansion, which will include the installation of a licorice production line and the addition of a rail spur to allow the company to receive ingredients by rail, is expected to be operational by 2015.

“American Licorice has been making candy for the past 99 years and we look to sustain that momentum for many more,” said John Kretchmer, chief executive officer of American Licorice. “Indiana’s centralized location within the United States and its business friendly climate at the state and local levels were both contributing factors in our decision to grow at our La Porte facility.”

“It is a great day any time we can celebrate the growth of a company with a long history of sustained success and community involvement,” said Eric Doden, president of the Indiana Economic Development Corporation. “Creating a favorable business climate that allows companies like American Licorice to continue to expand is essential in making Indiana a state that works for business.”

As an incentive, the Indiana Economic Development Corporation offered American Licorice Company up to $200,000 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. In addition, the city of La Porte approved additional tax abatement at the request of the Greater La Porte Economic Development Corporation.

"American Licorice has been a great community partner for many years and I am thrilled to see them enjoy success here in La Porte,” said La Porte Mayor Blair Milo. “We look forward to continuing to partner with them in the days ahead as they continue to thrive and prosper.”