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Area Development - Site Selection, Facility Planning and Workforce Development

Zeeland Lumber Operations Invests $1.56 Million in Elkhart, Indiana, Manufacturing Facility

09/24/2013
Zeeland Lumber Operations, LLC, a fully-integrated lumber and building materials supplier, will invest $1.56 million to open a new facility in Elkhart, Indiana, creating up to 72 new jobs by 2016.

The firm purchase and equip a 60,000 square-foot facility at 3740 Manchester Drive in Elkhart. The new location, which will be complete early next year, will allow Zeeland Lumber to expand its distribution and sales services in southern Michigan and northern Indiana.

"Our expansion with facilities and equipment in the northern Indiana market fits well with our strategy," said Mike Dykstra, president and chief executive officer of Zeeland Lumber. "We have a customer base in Indiana currently and this will help us serve our existing customers better, while allowing us the capacity to increase market share. Elkhart serves as a great location logistically to accomplish these goals. Growing our market to Indiana was a natural extension of our long standing reputation in Michigan for being a market leader in the building supply industry."

Zeeland Lumber, which currently employs more than 240 employees across Michigan and Indiana, plans to begin hiring production associates, material handlers, truck drivers, truss designers and salespeople next month.

"With Zeeland Lumber's growth in Indiana, the company is helping build more than just homes--it's helping build our state's economy," said Gov. Mike Pence. "With Indiana as host to the largest percentage of manufacturing jobs in the country as a portion of the private sector, construction needs are also on the rise. As a state that works, Indiana is prepared to meet the needs of a growing economy, providing a business environment ready to accommodate growth."

As an incentive, Indiana Economic Development Corporation offered Zeeland Lumber Operations, LLC up to $475,000 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. The city of Elkhart approved additional tax abatement.

"Zeeland Lumber has been successfully serving their customers' needs for over sixty years," said Elkhart Mayor Dick Moore. "They bring the same customer-focused, entrepreneurial spirit that has made Elkhart an ideal place for businesses of all sizes and industries. We are grateful for their vote of confidence in our community and we are proud to have the opportunity to partner with them on this project."

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