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Area Development - Site Selection, Facility Planning and Workforce Development

Midwest Eye Consultants To Open $2.39 Million Lens Coating Lab in Wabash, Indiana

10/28/2014
Midwest Eye Consultants, P.C. plans to open a lens coating laboratory in Wabash, Indiana, creating up to 31 new jobs by 2018.

The company will invest $2.39 million to lease, renovate and equip Lens Source Optical Lab, a 14,000 square-foot lens manufacturing operation in Wabash. The laboratory, which will be fully operational by May, will allow the company to better serve optometry practices throughout the state by providing the latest technology in lens design and manufacturing techniques.

Midwest Eye, which currently employs 450 full-time associates in Indiana, plans to begin hiring in January for multiple positions. “We serve Indiana – it’s where our roots are,” said Cathy Garrett, Vice President at Midwest Eye. “We want to be a resource for our communities and provide excellence in eye care.”

Founded in 1992, Midwest Eye operates 27 eye clinics across northern Indiana. With its new lens lab and state of the art equipment, the company will use advanced manufacturing processes to produce highly optimized eyeglass surfaces. Midwest Eye’s new technology produces eyeglass lenses with more affordable equipment, passing on savings to practices and patients.

The Indiana Economic Development Corporation offered Midwest Eye Consultants up to $130,000 in conditional tax credits and up to $50,000 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. Wabash County will consider additional incentives at the request of the Economic Development Group of Wabash County.

“Indiana companies have their eye on the prize,” said Eric Doden, President of the Indiana Economic Development Corporation. “By integrating new technology into their operations, they are increasing the value of Hoosier-built products, from auto parts to eyeglass lenses. At Midwest Eye, their innovation is creating more jobs for Hoosiers.”

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