Morgan Olson will expand its operations into the former Michiana Event Center (MEC) facility in Howe adjacent to the Indiana Toll Road. This expansion will result in an investment of more than $2 million.
Morgan Olson is North America’s leading manufacturer of walk-in vans. With internet sales growing, the demand for “final mile” delivery solutions for items purchased online have resulted in significant growth for the companies’ “Route Star” walk-in step van used by the nation’s largest parcel package delivery companies.
“We are proud to partner with the LaGrange County Economic Development Corp. and other local partners. When we began the search for sites for future expansion, Howe really stood out,” said Mike Ownbey, president and COO at Morgan Olson. “The logistical advantages of operating adjacent to the Indiana Toll Road, along with State Road 9 and the close proximity to our existing facilities in Sturgis, Michigan made this facility a perfect option for us.”
In lieu of a tax abatement for the project, the LaGrange County EDC offered a grant in the amount of $40,000 to help cover the costs of a secondary access road on the property’s east side off County Road 050 East. The newly constructed access road will also benefit future users of the undeveloped portion of the property.
“Any time you can partner with a strong company such as Morgan Olson to provide job opportunities to local residents and to grow the tax base, it is a huge win,” said Ryne Krock, president and CEO at the LaGrange County EDC. “The fact that this facility was only just vacated and sold by the Michiana Event Center earlier this year and is now already being occupied by Morgan Olson is a prime example of how strong the local economy continues to be.”
Morgan Olson plans to complete interior renovations, installation of new equipment and have the facility fully operational by the end of 2017.