Area Development
Ameritrans Bus, Inc., a manufacturer and distributor of small to mid-size transportation vehicles, plans to expand its manufacturing center in Elkhart, Indiana.

The company, which was acquired by Faribault, Minnesota, based ABC Companies in 2012, will invest $429,384 to renovate and equip its new 60,000 square-foot facility at 3601 County Road 6 in Elkhart. The facility, which will be operational by next month, will enable the company to concentrate on the production of small transit-style buses.

“Indiana, Elkhart County in particular, provides an excellent skilled workforce along with an ample supply base for the manufacture of buses,” said Lee Loper, Senior Vice President of ABC Companies. “The state provides a central location to the U.S. market.”

“Ameritrans’ growth, coupled with the growth of other homegrown companies across the state, keeps Indiana’s economy moving forward,” said Eric Doden, President of the Indiana Economic Development Corporation. “As a state that works, we are proud that businesses founded in Indiana find the environment they need to expand here, complete with a low-tax climate and talented workforce at the crossroads of America.”

As an incentive, The Indiana Economic Development Corporation offered Ameritrans Bus, Inc. up to $225,000 in conditional tax credits and up to $20,000 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 Elkhart approved additional incentives at the request of the Economic Development Corporation of Elkhart County.