Area Development
Celadon Trucking Services, Inc., a subsidiary of Celadon Group, Inc., plans invest $5.7 million to locate a driver training school in Indianapolis, Indiana, creating up to 500 new jobs by 2022.

The company, which provides long-haul, dry van truckload service throughout North America, will build a 61,000 square-foot training facility at 9050 E. 33rd St. near its Indianapolis headquarters campus. In addition to the Quality Drivers school, the building will house dorm rooms, a cafeteria, workout room, basketball and racquet court, Wi-Fi and driver training road course. Facility construction is expected to be complete by the fall.

“Driver recruitment and driver retention is a long term challenge within the industry,” said Paul Will, president and chief executive officer of Celadon. “We realize that establishing the Quality Drivers school and the Celadon training program are the next logical steps in ensuring that we have sufficient numbers of qualified drivers to fill our seats and meet our growth expectations. Logistically, locating the driver training school in Indiana is a sound business decision that provides access to the state’s vast resources, but it also gives Celadon another opportunity to give back to the state of Indiana by contributing significant jobs numbers right here in Indianapolis. We’re extremely happy and proud to continue our commitment to the local and state economies.”

“Celadon’s commitment to Hoosiers reflects a growing confidence in the business climate in our state,” said Gov. Mike Pence. “At the heart of the nation, our convenient location and expansive transportation infrastructure strengthen Indiana’s reputation as the ‘Crossroads of America.’ Combine this with our competitive tax climate and skilled workforce and, logistically speaking, Indiana works for business.”

“Celadon’s commitment to Indianapolis is crystal clear with the investment it is making in our community by providing new quality jobs for our workforce with a focus on retention while also offering the training necessary to succeed,” said Indianapolis Mayor Greg Ballard. “With its plans to build a new facility here to accommodate its driver school, Celadon is among a growing number of companies choosing to expand in Indianapolis.”

The Indiana Economic Development Corporation offered Celadon Trucking Services, Inc. up to $2,950,000 in conditional tax credits and up to $200,000 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. The city of Indianapolis will consider additional property tax abatement at the request of Develop Indy.