American Licorice Company Invests $10 Million To Expand Its La Porte, Indiana, Operations Center
01/23/2013
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.”
Project Announcements
ValorFlex Packaging Plans Bowling Green, Kentucky, Production Operations
06/30/2025
Neuro.io Plans Terrebonne Parish, Louisiana, Operations
06/30/2025
Germany-Based MTU Maintenance Expands Fort Worth, Texas, MRO Operations
06/30/2025
Cascade Die Casting Group Expands High Point, North Carolina, Manufacturing Operations
06/30/2025
BuildOps Plans Raleigh, North Carolina, Operations
06/30/2025
Point Blank Enterprises Plans Wakulla County, Florida, Operations
06/30/2025
Most Read
-
20th Annual Area Development Gold and Silver Shovel Awards
Q2 2025
-
First Person: Joe Capes, CEO, LiquidStack
Q2 2025
-
The Legal Limits of DEI in Incentives Agreements, Hiring, and Contracting
Q2 2025
-
From Silicon to Server: Mapping the Data Center Supply Chain
Q2 2025
-
39th Annual Corporate & 21st Annual Consultants Surveys: What Business Leaders and Consultants Are Saying About Site Selection
Q1 2025
-
Rethinking Life Sciences Site Selection in a Resilient and Dynamic Market
Q2 2025
-
Top States for Doing Business in 2024: A Continued Legacy of Excellence
Q3 2024