Jul 31, 2012 | Jackson County News & Info
Pet Supplies Plus USA Inc. announced in January that it plans to add 135 jobs in Seymour by 2016 as part of an effort to relocate its warehousing operations.
The Farmington Hills, Michigan-based company announced it will invest $16.5 million to lease and equip the former Lexmark facility at the entrance to the East Side Industrial Park. PSP plans to begin shipping to customers from the location in August.
“Indiana’s business climate is a magnet for growing companies across the country,” said Governor Mitch Daniels. “We are happy that PSP, like many businesses before, has discovered that our unparalleled infrastructure and first-rate workforce make Indiana the premier place to expand their business.”
Founded in 1988, Pet Supplies Plus is the third-largest pet specialty retailer in the country. It has 258 stores in 22 states, including 10 in Indiana.
“This investment supports our customers who can expect substantial service improvements, a broader range of products and the highest level of availability in the industry,” said Todd Pankey, PSP senior vice president of supply chain. “We appreciate the commitment from Indiana and Seymour who have supported the company with incentives to relocate to the area.”
The City of Seymour granted tax abatement for the investment, plus committed a $100,000 ECLIPSE loan through the Redevelopment Commission. In addition, the Indiana Economic Development Corporation offered Pet Supplies Plus up to $850,000 in tax credits and up to $75,000 in training grants based on the company’s job creation plans.
“With our location along Interstate 65, we are well-positioned to attract major logistics companies and we are thrilled PSP selected Seymour for its new distribution center,” said Seymour Mayor Craig Luedeman. “Our area has seen solid growth over the past year and PSP’s decision gets 2012 off to a great start for us.”
During remarks at the press conference on January 24th at Seymour City Hall, Luedeman also said “thank you to a couple of people who generally are not recognized during economic development announcements, but that without their assistance, this project may not have ended up in Seymour.
“The first is Judge Bruce Markel, who was in his office on Veteran’s Day to sign an order that allowed this project to move forward on an established deadline. His comment to Jim Plump was ‘whatever it takes’ when asked if he would agree to come into the office on his day off.
“Awaiting that signature was Jackson County Sheriff Mike Carothers, who also needs to be thanked for working to make sure those documents were filed … again, working overtime so certain deadlines could be met. Both Bruce and Mike understand the importance of projects like this and the value they bring to JacksonCounty.
“I truly believe PSP saw how we worked together in Seymour, Jackson County and Indiana to make this project a reality … and we are extremely grateful that they made the decision to locate here.”
Jul 31, 2012 | Jackson County News & Info
Due to a server malfunction several of our 2012 posts were deleted, therefore we are updating our blog by reposting these and bringing our blog up to date.
Jan 31, 2012 | Jackson County News & Info
Seymour has a new incentive program to attract5 more jobs to the city.
The program will use tax increment financing revenue to provide forgivable loans to new or existing companies for job growth.
Jim Plump, executive director of Jackson County Industrial Development Corp., said the new ECLIPSE (Economic Loan Incentive Program for Seymour) program is a necessary tool for the city to stay competitive with other communities when it comes to attracting business.
The program will provide a loan to help offset a business’s start-up or expansion costs based on how many new, permanent full-time positions are created. A minimum of 25 new jobs are required to be eligible, and only those positions filled by Jackson County residents will qualify for the forgivable loans.
For information on the new ECLIPSE program, contact the office of JCIDC at 812.522.4951.
Aug 2, 2010 | Jackson County News & Info
City of Seymour officials joined executives from Cummins Inc. and other dignitaries today to announce one of the largest industrial investments ever in Jackson County.
Cummins officials announced plans to invest nearly $100 million over the next five years at the Cummins Industrial Center (CIC). The investment also will create 200 jobs.
“This is, obviously, great news for the entire region,” said Seymour Mayor Craig Luedeman. “We are pleased that Cummins selected Seymour for this new project, and we have pledged to work with them as this project unfolds.”
Cummins officials are scheduled to appear before the Seymour City Council Monday evening to request tax abatement on $17 million, which is the scheduled investment through the end of 2010. That number is expected to increase to $36.4 million in 2011, with the investments to continue through 2015, totaling $96 million.
“The impact and benefit by this investment will not only be felt with the new jobs created, but by the investment,” added Luedeman. “We have started calculating the impact to the local tax base, and it’s tremendous.”
During the site selection process and in working with the City of Seymour and Jackson County Industrial Development Corporation (JCIDC), Cummins inquired about the availability of the property at 1100 East Fourth Street, which currently houses the city’s Department of Public Works and Recycling Center.
“Basically, Cummins is land-locked, and will need additional space for the new project,” said Luedeman. “Ironically, we had been talking about the city’s need to expand our Recycling Center, so we feel this is the proverbial ‘win-win’ situation and we are continuing these discussions to finalize this part of the project.
“Since this project extends more than 5 years, Cummins has indicated they will not need additional property until 2013, so we are beginning to discuss a new location for the Department of Public Works and Recycling Center and putting together a timeframe for the move.”
In regard to Cummins current facility, there have also been discussions involving Third Street, which extends in front of the Cummins building and between the manufacturing center and employee parking lots. With additional employees and increased truck traffic, the City has been asked to study by the construction of a cul-de-sac near the Cummins property which would eliminate through traffic.
“We will be working with the Plan Commission, Board of Works, City Council and the Third Street residents,” said Luedeman. “It is a safety issue that needs to be addressed.”
Cummins expects to begin hiring later this year and continue to grow the work force by 200 by 2015. CIC currently employs 434 in Seymour.
Additionally, there will be a need for new infrastructure, and earlier this week the City of Lawrenceburg, through its Regional Economic Development Fund, agreed to grant the City of Seymour $1.75 million to help fund the improvements.
“Time and time again, Lawrenceburg has stepped up to assist communities in its 10-county region, and Seymour-Jackson County certainly has been a great beneficiary of that program,” said Jim Plump, executive director of JCIDC. “Plus, the Indiana Economic Development Corporation is participating with the granting of $2.4 million in tax credits, so this truly has been a partnership to make it happen.”
Aug 17, 2009 | Jackson County News & Info
Ten former graduates of county schools have been identified to serve on the Jackson County Dream It Do It Team.
Aug 17, 2009 | Jackson County News & Info
In 2009, Jackson County Industrial Development Corporation (JCIDC) celebrates its 25th anniversary.
Established in 1984, JCIDC was charged with raising the local standard of living and improving the area tax base by attracting quality employers and assisting with the expansion and competitiveness of local industries.
For the past 25 years, JCIDC’s efforts have been driven by executive director Jim Plump, and over that time Jackson County has seen the development of three industrial parks, the expansion of numerous local industry and business, and attraction of many new industries to the area.
JCIDC will celebrate its anniversary with a banquet and program on Thursday, August 20, 2009 at the Pines Evergreen Room in Seymour, Indiana.
